Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Bula Sia,

So, firstly apologies to anybody who has been awaiting a chief blog for the start of June, the intention to post at least one a week is still there in theory, but already I am playing catch up! I hope you’ll forgive me when I tell you that the reason for the lack of blogs is genuinely down to the amount of enterprise that has been taking place upon Vorovoro this month. Literally everyday has started with a substantial project that either needs to begin or to continue. In the words of the kitchen girls, it’s been full speed no brake! Today, Thurs 12 June, the ancestors are on my side (for once) and have decided to bless us with some unwanted but much needed rain, and have given me the opportunity to hop onto a computer.

So where to begin? Last Tuesday, the 3rd June was the monthly chief handover day in which I took the baton from Linda and started moving. The day itself was as enjoyable and entertaining as all sevusevu days tend to be. This particular Tuesday however had the added flavour of a play expertly directed by Jemma and Susie involving many tribe members depicting the story of a young Tevita, growing into the man and the prophet who predicted the inception of Tribewanted. Sitting just next to Tui Mali and across from Tevita, I witnessed first hand the pride and enjoyment on both their faces, as inspiring as the play was amusing. Tevita was touched; Tui Mali was impressed with the talents of those who visit his island, and the whole tribe happy with the day’s events.

Wednesday, and my first day at the top of the matt for the 9am meeting and the atmosphere on the island immediately eased any nerves I may have had. I’m sure it’s been said many times before, and I’m sure it’s been justified each time, which makes me happy to say it again that the group on the island over the past weeks has been awesome. The work ethic and motivation behind projects has been the most impressive I’ve seen in my time on the island. From the obviously major projects such as Team Fijis (still unnamed) Bure, to the smaller less obvious tasks such as cleaning the rope to the pontoon, which turned out to be a really enjoyable job, and not just because I got to do it with 4 great girls! While this was going on the rest of the tribe also took advantage of the unusually low tide and started a full clean up of the island circumference, collecting all the rubbish washed up from Labasa. A hard day’s work for all was soon forgotten once we were sat upon what I like to call sunset peak, watching another beautiful day end with a few perfectly selected songs. Without doubt one of those tingly hairs on the back of your neck, am I really here moment.

Thursday started with many tears splashing onto the sand with a particularly emotional Isa Lei, one of the few down sides to this place, when people leave who you wish could stay. But not even this could stop the bloody minded determination and purpose of the tribe. The new Bure needed a roof putting on it so that’s what we did. Team Fiji leading the way while the tribe pitched in where possible. Having been lucky enough to have been involved with building this Bure from day 1 is an experience that I rate up there with any other so far.

The weekly visit to All Saints secondary school gave the children the unexpected pleasure of Alicia and Charlotte teaching them sign language while Timoce scribbled the hand signals on the board, apparently it went own better than double physics.

Friday threw up a bit of drama and got the more spiritual tribe members speculating. The notion of the ancestors buried on the island overseeing and ‘correcting’ any actions that they may not appreciate has gathered more momentum. Having suffered from four pretty rank boils on my leg, as well as a mystery eye infection that only occurs on Wednesdays(!) and picking up ring worm on my neck Giles thinks I may have offended them in some way. Either that or they are testing my worthiness as chief, especially as a boil popped up the day after I practiced blowing the conch too close to Tui Mali’s ancestors burial ground. Despite an apology to Tevita and Poasa, the boil still appeared. Adding to this, Jason, always the entertainer bought an enormous toad in to the grand Bure to join in the grog session the previous night. This would have been fine had he not walked in through Tui Mali’s door. He then proceeded to knock over the gas light, smashing the glass into the half full Tanoa. I didn’t see what happened next as I had my head firmly buried under my t shirt, I couldn’t handle any more boils. But the ancestors spared me as the next day it was Jason who appeared with 2 boils on his leg. Also, and perhaps slightly more alarming, the next day Tui Mai’s boat was sunk out on the reef. His daughter had taken it out and fortunately no one was hurt, but the boat now needs some substantial repair. Needless to say this will come out of the chief’s budget; make of this what you will but I certainly don’t need any more ancestral warnings!

The weekend came and went without too much drama. A new table got built for washing dishes, pig feeders were created and new beautifully painted rubbish bins are popping up. A very significant step and something I am pleased to report is that our one chicken has now become 13! Through a combination of catching and some intimidating negotiation from Jason we now have a pretty substantial army to reduce our egg dependency on Labasa supermarkets.

At the Monday morning meeting with Team Fiji I asked if we could push for the completion of the new Bure for the Tuesday Sevusevu. So in true Fijian style, with all the intention in the world, little got done. Some rain fell and put a stop to completing the last stages of the roof, and when the sun repapered Team Fiji didn’t! With little else to do, Giles and I decided to munch our way through a whole pack of congealed Haribo. Don’t ever do this.

As I awoke ealry on Tuesday morning I looked over to the sight of the new Bure where there was a hive of activity. I thought, in my best welsh accent, ‘oh what’s occurring’ (Lisi), I was amazed to see the Bure look somewhere near completion just in time for Tui Mail’s arrival. When Tevita told me I had asked him to do this so he made sure it was done for me I was touched. He had Team Fiji up at 4 am to ensure it was done. It was amazing to witness the other side of Fiji Time. The Bure was complemented by some incredible last minute landscaping by Tevita. Pupu also replaced the well used and happily retired oven, pleasing Va in the kitchen and leaving me a very content chief at the progress of the week.

After Tui Mail and Giles wonderful mother Caroline opened the new Bure, the tribe was treated to an amazing singing performance from the Mali Choir who is fundraising for their august trip to Suva to compete in a competition. Definitely a very worthy cause.

Yesterday was as busy a day as any. The make over of the tree house took a significant turn with the addition of a second floor. The whole place is being beatified by Tevita’s landscaping and adding paths to prevent ruining the grass and the evening saw an amazing event that I hope becomes a regular feature. Earlier in the week it was decided that the tribe and Team Fiji should eat together as currently it is one of the only times when we are not alongside one an other. Va and her team worked like demons in the kitchen. An impromptu Lovo was prepared and 50 plus people sat down to an incredible meal in the Grand Bure. It was a truly rewarding moment and summed up perfectly what Tribewanted has become, one big family who live work, play, laugh and now eat together.

So there it is, my first week, and I apologies for amount of events and updates in this blog but I suppose it is testimony to the amount that has happened, for which I thank every one who has been here. For me at the moment this is just what I think Tribewanted should be. There has been a multitude of projects finished, creations made, stories told, and talented musicians entertaining, and the mood is just getting better and better.
My fingers are crossed that it stays this way for the duration of my chiefdom. Just have to stay on the right side of the ancestors now….

Tui Walu.