BULA! As we came ashore today on Taveuni Island a large number of children welcomed us warmly for our day of exploration. From our landing, it was only a short ride to the village of Waitabu. This village is part of an amazing program on the east side of Taveuni Island, which is also called the garden island. Here, different villages have protected parts of the island, and user fees from tourists help to fund education of schoolchildren. Everybody wins, from conservation to kids!
Many smiling faces greeted us as we entered the village. First, we performed the traditional sevusevu, or welcome offering. After that, it was time for a kava ceremony. Our “chief,” also known as our Captain, represented us all so well, and it was nice to see the old traditions continue. Then, we got the debut performance of a meke, or traditional dance, by a group of village kids. It was an entertaining spear dance, complete with great music and singing, and a flexible bunch of boys. From here, it was time to either enjoy the hospitality in the village, or to get into the water and see if the marine protected area is working.
Waitabu translates as sacred water and the villagers have declared an area of their reef off limits to fishing for over 15 years now. As we entered the water near a deep area with a cut in the reef, big fish were everywhere. Fish that would normally be hunted out were abundant, at times schooling around us. Giant clams were also fairly common, another creature high on the menus of many Fijians. Obviously, the protection is working! And, our fees for visiting here will help the community in many ways including school fees for the students! We see great stuff, they have fish for the future, and kids get an education. How perfect! This was one of the first locally created and locally managed protected areas in all of Fiji, and it has now spread to over 400 different villages.
It was wonderful today to not only support such a great project, but to do it with such warm and friendly people, all while enjoying the culture of a Fijian village.
