Tribewanted: Vorovoro

OK, so having promised myself faithfully I would blog and update the tribe at least once a week I find myself sat here on my last day as chief wondering just where the time has gone.

In my defence I always was the kind of girl to get easily distracted, the phrase ‘shiny’ springs to mind as my friends would often say as I drifted off to another realm whilst in their company. So put me on a beautiful island with my new found family, stunning sunsets, a dam project and chiefly duties, all with a sprinkling of Yanqona and any sense of time and order completely vanish.

However please accept my apologies for those of you who have been patiently waiting for updates. Blogging is an important part of chief responsibilities and on this area I am afraid I have failed. I just hope that the other areas of my month as chief that have diverted my attention act as some form of recompense.

So what to put in this final blog? It only seems right to sum up the month with my top 10 moments, although to be honest there should be at least 28, as every day at the top of the mat has been absolutely amazing.

1. It only seems right to start at the beginning, so I thought I would share with you my first night as Chief. The first day passed in such a blur that I’m not exactly sure what happened, but the first night was truly memorable and quite possibly one of the most magical nights I have had in all my time on the island.

The evening began at sundown with an invitation to eat with team Fiji before presenting a small bundle of grog to highlight the change if chiefs and the need for Team Fiji and I to come together and unite as one for the upcoming month.

After sampling the delights of Silla’s kitchen the boys and I, accompanied by Maddi and Va, sat down for a lengthy session around the Tanoa. The difference this time, being the entertainment provided by the legendary Vasita.

Sat outside under the stars with a cool breeze blowing Va set about requesting an endless repertoire from the ‘band’ and dedicating them to all who were present, including the coconut tree for supporting the by now somewhat lamb chopped Marau.

Not content with mere music Va decided it was time to dance. Pulling Maddi and I to our feet she preceded to demonstrate her gracefull steps as learnt all those years ago at school. After exhausting the pair of us she moved her attention on to Pupu.

Then sight of Pupu and Va, gentle waltzing under the moonlight to the gentle rendition of Sobrero will stay with me forever.

2. Which is just as well as it takes a lot to beat the announcement that Team Fiji are to join us in the UK for the Hampton Court flower show . Already overexcited by the sunset Meke, welcoming BenGazzi home, the tribe went into overdrive at the news that the boys (and girls) were finally coming to England.

That is one announcement that any tribe member will always remember where they were when they heard the news and fortunately for me I was sat right next to the team in question.

3. Next come the joy of chiefly responsibilities. Representing the tribe at Mali district school when Ben presented a $500 donation to the green club from Kaz’s Zaishi stool project in conjunction with…… is one of the proudest moments of my month.

Thanks to the hard work of April’s tribe under Kaz’s expert leadership we are able to make a real impact at Mali school and with practical demonstration pave the way for their sustainable future.

4. Celebrations are always a big part of life on Vorovoro and the best are always impromptu. Sitting on Tui Mali’s porch drinking grog with Tui, Ben and Tevita discussing the forthcoming trip to England the topic inevitably turned to the logistics of obtaining visas and passports for the team.

The main complication we could foresee was ascertaing an accurate DOB for the application forms. An off the cuff remark enquiring as to whether Te knew his date of birth led to the discovery that it was in fact Te’s birthday that day.

This is not the first time that a member of team Fiji have been unaware of their birthday but I am pretty sure that it is the first time that we have made the discovery of such an important occasion together.

Having spent the day making paper lanterns, the tribe were more than eager to decorate the Grand Bure and knock together a quick batch of Taniella’s infamous flapjack (‘na’a Amy) ready for Te and Cilla’s arrival later that evening.

Once all were seated a bundle of kava was presented to Te, along with a pair of sunglasses that instantly transformed him into a suitable double for Mr Kane West himself and the good times rolled (and rolled).

5. Alongside celebrations sweat and exertion also play a big part in island life (much toTimoce’s disgust), therefore it was only a matter of time before someone took on the task of clearing Tanoa Park. The rapid growth of plant and vegetation on the island in the wet season is like something from little shop of horrors. Within a couple of weeks an area that was previously clear sprouts into life faster than…….

However with the hard work of Nick and Bobby, alongside Nemani and …..the pitch was cleared in record time. Football in the morning heat is nothing short of sheer craziness if you ask me however and eager tribe set off early after the morning meeting for our first tournament of the season and a star player emerged much to the surprise of everyone including herself. That’s right our next marama, otherwise now known as chopper was an absolute force to be reckoned with. She even scared me and I was just keeping time on the side lines. Vina’a va’a levu boys your hard work is greatly appreciated and the tournaments live on, there‘s even talk of making a cup in your honour.

6. Ok so we have covered needless exercise (to quote Timoce) and celebrations but I have not yet mentioned the crux of island life, sustainability.

Suitability is the focus of two of my (listed) highlights and the first is the newly implemented foraging. Armed with an eco back and bowl to carry our wares, a Machete and team Fiji’s knowledgeable horticultural, and community managers we set off into the gardens to see what we can find.

Foraging is a hands on way that the tribe can see just what we are able to grow here on the island and how it is used in our everyday kana. Some of my best mornings have been spent in the gardens with the boys retrieving such lovely goodies as ochre, bella (green leaf similar to spinach) and green and red beans as well as many other such delights. If this is not enough my mouth then waters with anticipation as I approach the table at lunch time to see what we have gathered served before me. Food does not get much better than this.

7.The second sustainable highlight for me is the completion of the dam wall. The amount of work that has gone into this project is truly amazing. And I feel truly privileged to have been there when the first buckets of cement were poured. As with all developments on the island the morning began with a Kava ceromonie. Sat alongside the dam on a rather lopsided mat at some ridiculous time in the morning I chuckled to myself as I swallowed my first bilo, thinking this is how all work should start.

Tui Mali poured the first bucket, followed by myself, an interesting task with a tummy full of grog and a head that felt slightly lighter than it did half an hour earlier. Every one present at the dam then took it in urns to pour a single bucket making the whole process a team tribal effort. The wall was completed on Saturday despite the scorching heat followed by the rain throughout the week and is a real testament to all hard work of all the team involved.

8. Returning to Mali school to watch the inauguration of the prefects and head boys and girls meant another morning of early morning Kava for Benjamin and I but well worth every bilo. Tui Mali’s dedication to the development of the students both academically and socially was a delight to watch alongside the moment when our trusty boat captain Joni Robinson pinned a prefects badge on his son, congratulations Clifford. Our relationship with the school and it’s pupils is such an important part of the project and for the tribe to be invited to such ceremonies as guests of honour just goes to show how important our role is to the school as well.

9. No list of highlights would be complete without the mention of our current on island team of sunset swimmers. Jill, Lacey, Alice and Zenat along with Samessa and Alistair acting as cameraman and chief editor provided us with a visual masterpiece matching that of Torval and Dean if only they were in fact swimmers.

From the graceful elegant moves to the flattering footwear this really is a marvel not to be missed. Make sure you check out the video to follow shortly

10. My last week as chief was rounded up with a small celebration to mark the 2 and a half year anniversary of the project. It seemed only fitting to mark the occasion on Samessa’s porch where it all began. With afternoon tea and Followers of the project will know that we have more than our fair share of …. to overcome, including the fire within the first ….., the 2006 coup and the delightfull Fijian tax man.

Therefore it meant such a lot to sit in the afternoon sunshine, alongside Tui Mali and the tribe and reminisce about the early days and reflect upon just how far we have come. None of this would have been possible without the combined support of our family here and you reading this now.

The concept of combining the virtual and developing world in order to provide a sustainable living space and platform for discussion and implementation was viewed as a social experiment, one that I feel we have passed with flying colours.

Vinaka vaka levu to all fellow tribe members who believed in this vision and contributed to it’s successful execution. Whether it be by visiting the island in person or following the website and contributing to all things Vorovoro, from voting on projects to the election of chiefs and for this last point I am personally eternally grateful.

As I prepare to leave the island and continue with my travels I reflect on what has surely been the greatest month of my life.

Vina’a va’a levu, Sota Tale

Marama Wai