Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Tanoa Park Clean Up.

Bula Sia Tribe,

This week we completed the clean up of Tanoa Park Football Stadium. The weeds were getting so long we were getting tackled by them. They were hampering our free flowing style of football and so a massive clean up was needed. I announced at the morning meeting that it would probably only take an hour to clear but when we started work we soon realised what a big job this was. The roots were deep and there it was so much more overgrown than I had remembered. We started the work on Friday morning and finished on Monday lunchtime, in time for a final game for Canada (newlyweds Ariel and Steve). Initially we were going to play Fiji v Tribewanted in preparation for Fiji Day, but looking at the players we had it was decided to mix the teams. I captained one side while Save captained the other. The penalty for losing was going to be a ‘hospital bus’ size bilo of grog. The stakes were high. The new pitch was a dream to play on and it showed in the standard of the play. A free flowing end to end game ensued. The match was tightly poised at 9 – 9, the light was fading and the legs were tiring when Save hit a beautifully timed half volley into the right hand corner of our goal. 10 – 9 and victory to Save’s team. I was gutted and knackered, but I don’t mind losing to Save, he did play for Fiji U19’s after all.

Fiji Day

It’s been 38 years since I was last here for Fiji Day, the first one, the hand over of power. I was very much looking forward to it. On the Thursday 9th we were invited to Mali District School for their celebrations. I was asked to make a speech the night before. I wrote it during a fairly chilled out grog session. I’d never had to make a speech before. The day started in a very formal way with the kids all lined up in military fashion for the raising of the flag and saying the pledge. We then went to a room where we were seated opposite the kids and we waited for Tui Mali to arrive. It took some time so the kids sung us lots of songs, which is always a joy to hear. Bertie, Matt and Jess’s 20 month old son, also kept us hugely entertained. When Tui Mali arrived we got on with formalities. We had a speech from one of the teachers, and a couple of dignitaries, then Tui Mali spoke and then I delivered my speech. I was a bit nervous as I’m not used to being the centre of attention but I’m really glad I did it. It is always good to do things you are afraid of, to get out of your comfort zone and experience something new.

Manu, the headmaster, then gave us a brief history of how Britain came to govern Fiji and then we all headed for the playing field for tea and cake before the kids put on a mufti parade for us. I was given the honour of judging the parade and giving prizes to the kids with the best costume in each category. We then sat with Tui Mali for a quick bilo of grog before heading back to Vorovoro.

The next day we were invited to the village of Vuo. Many of team Fiji either live there or have strong connections with the place. Tui Mali has a place a few minutes walk from the village and so we met up with him first and had tea and cake with him. When we got to the village we split up in to 3 groups as there were about 20 of us. Vuo has 3 mataqali’s so each group join a mataqali where we drunk grog and chatted to the locals. I was in the mataqali with the chief of the village,Tui Vuo, and Semesa, Va’s husband. Tui Vuo’s wingman was a guy called Tevita. He was a very lively and funny man. I really enjoyed hanging out with these guys, they love laughing at life.

After a spot of food we had the meke sessions. First up were the older women. During their performance some women from the crowd would come up to them and give them gifts, mostly cloth. Throughout the different meke performances more and more things would be brought out and given to those performing. I was told this was to show appreciation. But they started throwing talcum powder in people’s hair and rubbing it in their faces. It made the crowd laugh but it seemed a strange way to show your appreciation. By the time we got to perform the talcum powder was well and truly on the agenda and all the men from the tribe got covered in it. Roger got a drink and a big kiss from one woman. Cake was also shoved into the mouths of different meke performers. I love performing the meke for Fijians, and they seem to really appreciate foreigners attempting to learn their culture.

There were meke performances from all the age groups. I thought the best one was performed by 5 teenage lads who put a bit of funk into their dance. Theirs seemed to be a modern adaptation. It got me thinking that we should make up our own meke with modern moves and gestures and maybe even to a modern beat. I think we should master the old one first though but something for the future maybe?

When we left in late afternoon we gave Vuo a couple of Mexican waves to say goodbye and show our appreciation for their hospitality. We then made our way to Tui Mali’s to have a closing bilo of grog. Fijian’s like to start and finish events with a bilo of grog. They also like to drink plenty in between and most of team Fiji were well and truly lamb-chopped by the evening. None of the tribe were interested in a bilo when we got back to Vorovoro which was a shame as I’d have liked to end such a lovely day with some more grog. It’s not something you drink on your own though. I am very happy though that I was here for Fiji day, it was a great experience.

Moce,

Tui Ping-Pong (Dave)