University club revives dying art
THE dying art of traditional yam planting is currently being revived by senior staff members and lecturers of the Fiji National University (FNU) Natabua campus.
University professor of education, Prof Unaisi Nabobo Baba, said yam was considered to be a very integral part of the Fijian community, however the art was dying slowly.
“This is why we decided to start off the FNU Natabua Campus Farmers and Wellness Club two years ago,” Prof NaboboBaba said.
“Yam is very much integral to the Fijian psyche as it is always considered king of the crops and so as in other cultures.
“Yam is basically for gifting and is a yearly crop that can be eaten for a long period of time, not only for the iTaukei but for our Indian and Rotuman communities as well.”
Prof Nabobo-Baba said their club aimed at wellness, health and food security and the initial idea when the club was established was to give their harvest to other staff and family members.
She said staff members used whatever land space was available around the campus and involved students so they could learn and share the idea with other students and peers.
“Yams are meant to be gifted so everyone will have food.
“Most of us involve our students in farming and in the process of tilling the soil, we make sure they are not only learning but they are also getting some allowance.”
Prof Nabobo-Baba said the club tried to involve as many people as they could so the important message of preserving yam planting reached the masses.