Page 24 - IB March 2018 Edition

Culture

through tourism would help them save a
way of life that was fast disappearing in
the islands.
His eldest son, Semiti Cama said his
father always told them that the people
of Fulaga and Ogea were the best canoe
craftsmen in Lau but the people of Moce
were the better sailors.
“When we were small on the island, he
would always encourage and teach us the
right way to sail using the wind, the stars
and the pattern of the waves,” he said.
“My father believed that through the
venture we would not only benefit finan-
cially but save ancient knowledge and
technology that scientists believe is apt
for our needs in today’s world.”
His mother’s relatives on Ogea built their
drua and camakau from vesi trees (Intsia
bijuga), a hardwood found on many is-
lands of Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia
and southeast Asia that grows up to 40
First arrival ... Jimione Paki, left, with his eldest son Semitri Cama in 2006. Photos: Helen Traill metres tall and is one of the most highly
valued trees in the region, both in terms
Winds of change in the isles of its traditional cultural importance and
value for commercial timber - for fishing
and travel between the islands.
This is Part One of a three-part series on a Pacific family’s survival and dream “We were fortunate that the then Tui
to revive ancient canoe technology as a cultural tourism venture. It is a story of Suva gave us a place to live.
“He came here and told us to fill the
despair, wonder and pride for the ocean and holds answers for the future. swamp and build our houses and we have
been here since.
“Our people had big plans to turn this
But with no home of their own in Suva, foreshore settlement into a traditional vil-
he worked hard to secure a place that his lage attraction for the many tourists who
kin of Korotolu could call their own. were visiting Suva.”
His prayer was answered in 1991 when One of his relatives built a model of
the then Tui (chief) Suva, on whose an-
By Ilaitia Turagabeci the village and Paki gave inspiration to
cestral land the capital was built, allowed Korova’s dream when he sailed the drua
JIMIONE Paki was 71 when he decided them to settle among the mangroves along from Moce.
to do something for his children and the Suva Peninsula, close to the University He was accompanied by his son, Metu-
grandchildren. of the South Pacific’s Maritime Studies. isela Biuvakaloloma, on a camakau.
His children had moved from the island Named Korova, the swampland became The purpose of the camakau was to
of Moce in Lau to the city to study and home for his children, grandchildren and ensure that his descendants at Korova
work. extended families. would not lose their sailing knowledge
Life was tough on the island. His village From Korova, Jimione could see cruise while living in the capital.
of Korotolu was fast emptying. The young liners sail into the harbour and the flurry When the drua and camakau arrived at
were moving to Viti Levu, leaving the el- of activities tourists brought to the other Korova, Biuvakaloloma decided he would
derly like him behind in their search for a side of the peninsula. own a business sailing tourists around the
better life in the fast-growing capital Suva. harbour on the traditional canoes.
It was in the ‘80s and early ’90s and A dream is born “My brother was one of our parents’
the people of Lau were the leaders in Fiji’s It was the year that he decided he’d favourite,” Cama said.
urban drift. return to Lau and sail back on a drua, a “When my father sailed the drua to
The furthest islands in the Fiji archi- traditional Fijian canoe in the hope that it Suva, Metuisela followed in the camakau.”
pelago, Lau was investing in the education would help them start a business in their That historic voyage changed life for
of its children and quality education was new-found home by the sea. Biuvakaloloma. His wife, also of Korotolu
then only available in urban centres. The old man was not only in love in Moce, gave birth to a son that same year.
Jimione’s wife was from the neigh- with the drua but also with the camakau They named him Fuluna Tui Moce after
bouring island of Ogea and they had 16 (single-hulled canoes) that the people of the first recorded chief of Moce.
children. He sent some of them to the Ogea built. Cama said his younger brother was full
mainland on Viti Levu where they were And he prided himself at sailing them. of energy.
educated and found work. He believed that promoting their culture “He had a big heart and big dreams and

24 Islands Business, March 2018