Tribewanted: Vorovoro

I don’t know Harold Rex. He attracted my attention and got me thinking on my first session with Ben at his favourite West London pub, the Windsor Castle. Harold is a name engraved on the back rest of a wooden bench where we were. As I seated, I kept saying his name loud in my head trying to understand his story. The accompanying date is 1692. Harold, for sure like my great grandfathers did not have Shine TV record his story for BBC to air. But Harold(unlike my forefathers) had a medium, however simple, for me to connect with him through his message on the bench. Thank you, Harold.

I was indeed very proud running around this week helping Ben. It was an interesting mix of emotion and pride that may be easily be mistaken for arrogance. Lucky it was all in the heart. It was also special that my cousin from Ligaulevu, Leone Vokai was there to share in this special moment. He came all the way from Wales to be with me. We have not met since August 2002.We soaked all the feelings on behalf of the vanua of Mali. He whispered during our quite moments of fun around the tanoa ”that if only the elders were alive they would be very proud”. I remarked, “I think they would approve”. I talked as if I had been through this moment before.

I looked around the different faces around me, the various stories they have in life and the undeniable fact that Vorovoro shall be etched in their memories for ever. For Harold, he had a pen, rather, a carving knife. He knew of alphabets and could write. But for my grandfathers, they had to wait a bit longer until the vulagi arrived to on the island. They knew how to read their surroundings-thats about it all really. They had no pens or carving knives,but I am sure they are quietly proud of the vulagis, doing digital talanoa on their behalf. Vinaka Ben and all tribe members for making the world listen to and understand our story.