Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Bula sia tribe!

I’ve just come down from the water tanks talking water logistics with Sustainability Manager Ben and Marau, hiking over rocks barefoot in a sensible island skirt talking about purchasing wood and piping like I’m in construction and an engineer – you never know what you will be needed to do next as chief here! Furthermore, I can’t believe it has been two weeks of chiefdom already! Time flies in island paradise. In this second week I’ve settled in and fully embraced my role as “Marama Wasa Wasa”, ocean chieftess, as Giles has named me.

We’ve had a rather large group on the island for the first part of the month, but now we are down to about 15 which is a very nice number for group activities and such. In the past week we’ve made nine of the twelve beds needed for the new vale, and the rest will be finished this week. We also intend to add another bed to the family bure and a nice wooden floor for the family bure as well. Cabinets for various locations are in the works, as is putting new reeds on some leaky roofs. It is amazing how much work can get done here when we focus hard on accomplishing tasks.

The much anticipated return of Ben Keene to the island was celebrated last week and copious amounts of strong grog were shared by all. Ben has brought with him great energy and enthusiasm that always helps combat island lethargy and Fiji time.

Apart from the sweaty work that makes everyone feel like island warriors, we’ve had some great cultural experiences this week as well. Our sevusevu from this past week was for 15 people! Everyone presenting had some nice things to say to Tui Mali and after a roudy meke [with Ben Keene and Giles competing for the club meke award in the center of the crowd] the new folks took some time to chat with Tui Mali at the top of the mat. I was very impressed with how quickly everyone learned the cultural etiquette for the ceremony and the meke, it was a very special ceremony. Vinaka tribe!

Thursday was another historic day on Vorovoro. In the morning, a group departed to help farm yams at Liavi’s [Crimestopper’s] farm on the mainland. The group still on Vorovoro helped to prepare a lovo of chicken, fish, and all the traditional Fijian dishes for a large dinner with all of the tribe and all of Team Fiji. After the lovo preparation the tribe cleaned up very nicely with most wearing sulu-chumbas and bula shirts for the big dinner. We greeted Poasa and led him to the top seat at the lovo assembled in the grand bure. Poasa was very excited about having the two groups together, saying that it was a very good idea to continue [Tui Tom held a dinner in this manner last month as well] and that we were making Vorovoro history. The ladies in the kitchen prepared an AMAZING meal – a big vina’a to all of them! Next the Mali Choir came to sing to us, and it was recorded by Georgie and Dave, two tribies that practically brought a recording studio with them to the island. Ben Keene organized the “Vorovoro Sessions” a music jam and recording session of island staff and Team Fiji. The night was amazing – imagine having a private music festival for you and 30 close friends in the grand bure with blue lights and candles all enhanced by a moderate grog buzz. Great stuff. I don’t have details on the release of the music, chat with Ben about that, but he is hoping to have a Vorovoro soundtrack sometime this year. Georgie and Dave also wrote a song about Vorovoro, employing some of us to sing the chorus, and once that is done I’m sure it will be amazing. A big ‘naka to the two of them as well, as they have shared so many amazing talents with us during their stay.

Another highlight was when the school kids at Mali Primary challenged us to netball [yes, we played 6-8 graders], and they were fantastic! Team Vorovoro won one of the matches, and then we just played mixed teams the rest of the afternoon, but it was a highlight for us and the girls.

Sunday night we discovered Api our boat captain has been working with us for two years and the tribies whipped up some cakes and tea while Api whipped up some strong grog. We drank all night down by the boat captain’s hut [Kimbo you will be pleased to know the place looks fantastic and just got a new roof] under a fantastic moon. Vinaka Api for all you hard work and safe transport for the tribe members!

Can’t say enough good things about this place – will give another update next week!

As a nice way to be able to keep track, here is a list of completed projects so far this month:

Bamboo woven and placed around Lali
Bamboo woven and placed around Sustainability Hut
Nine beds made for New Vale
Karmic Duties Board Painted
Shelter put above school map at All Saints
Sand pathways finished around village
Plants added around village
Lots of work in the gardens
New Roof on Boat Captain’s house

Marama Wasawasa