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Vuniivilevu; The sunken Island of Fiji
  • Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright
    Manage No EE00002336
    Country Fiji
    ICH Domain Oral traditions and representations Knowledge and practices about nature and the universe
    Address
    iTaukei Institute of Language and Culture, Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, 87 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Nasese, Suva, Fiji Islands [Ph.: +679 3100 909]
    Year of Designation 2022
Description A few islands in Fiji and the Pacific are said to have submerged in the last hundred to thousand years ago. The island of Vuniivilevu is believed to have submerged in the year AD1200 in the Motoriki waters, Lomaiviti (2005). It is one of the islands that is regarded to have been inhabited first before other settlers arrived. Early migrants were said to be tall, muscular and tough and this could be proven with the skeleton that was found in Naturuku, Motoriki in 2002. What was also remarkable about this skeleton was the excellent state of preservation of the skull. It was of a female who would’ve been tall, muscular and tough and was believed to have lived in Motoriki around 800BC (2007). The abrupt collapse of Vuniivilevu would’ve generated waves to nearby islands and one such example is the waves rushing up the valley from Bureta which saw the presence of sea-fish in pristine freshwater rivers. Their ancestor god Rakavono then speared a turtle, a shark, and a ray, all of which immediately turned to stone and can still be seen there, at a deep place in the river called Muloi, near Nasaumatua village, Lovoni, close to the center of Ovalau. When passing through the Davetalevu passage, travelers are forbidden to make noise, and to throw rubbish into the ocean in respect of the sunken island. Certain people who have disturbed the peace at the Davetalevu passage had their boat capsized and are now buried at Uluibau village in Motoriki. A considerably large number of people in Fiji came from Vuniivilevu and dispersed when the island submerged. This includes the villages of Uluibau, Nasauvuki in Motoriki (Rokowaqa, n.d. [1926]; Rakadragi, 1979; Draunidalo, 1990; Vulava, 1996); Tuatua village in Koro, the chiefs of Vuna in Taveuni (Rakadragi, 1979); Navure clan in Sawaieke and a group of people in Vadravadra, Gau (Vulava 1996); and also the village of Naimalavau (Vulava 1996). Some reached as far as Kadavu.
Social and cultural significance With the impacts of westernization and modernization, our traditions, culture, kinship ties and way of life have all started to deteriorate. One should be well aware of one’s own self. Where do we come from? Where are we going? What are our obligations? Are we taking care of it? To whom do we share kinship ties with? It is important that we look back and reflect on our origins and our kinship ties with others. Once we know all these things we will not be a foreigner to wherever we may go. After rekindling ties, the people of Nawaikama and Uluibau have developed their kinship ties. It is of great importance that we are all well aware of everything about ourselves as stated above. Jeremiah 6:16, states, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” The Bible has instructed us to look back and reflect on our past so that we may find rest.
Transmission method The element is transmitted through oral transmission and observation.
Community Uluibau village Motoriki Island Fiji
Keyword
Information source
iTaukei Institute of Language & Culture (TILC)

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