EVERY now and then can be a seemingly contradicting explanation when one tries to justify or give a logical explanation of one’s ability.
In Fiji, there are those special abilities that even science has found it difficult to explain how the impossible is possible.
There is no logical explanation as to how the people of the Sawau clan from Beqa can walk on hot stones. There is however a legend that explains how it came to be.
There is still no scientific explanation of the miracle water of Natadradave and in an earlier article, the University of the South Pacific’s Faculty of Science had stated that some things just cannot be explained.
There is the traditional calling of red prawns on Vatulele. There’s a legend for that too.
Then we have the traditional turtle callers of Nacamaki on Koro and Namuana on Kadavu.
Hearing of such stories forces one to ask whether these special abilities are God-given or through some supernatural force sourced from ancestral gods through some form of initiation, sorcery or black magic.
Some believe it is God-given while others believe otherwise. Then there are those who have no opinion at all.
There have been many stories written about the traditional turtle callers.
Last year, while at Nacamaki, we were told by traditional priest Savenaca Vueti the story of Tui Naikasi (their ancestral god), who gave them the ability to summon turtles with a special chant. Interestingly the story from Nacamaki connects very well with the story from Namuana, Kadavu, with just maybe one slight difference.
The Tui Namuana, Kelevi Vuase, said they could only trace their turtle-summoning powers as far back as Nacamaki on Koro.
I shared with them the story I heard from Koro that Tui Naikasi was originally from Verata and was there with Rakavono, before Rakavono settled at Lovoni. According to Mr Vueti Tui Naikasi had supernatural powers and so was often sought out by warlords before they ventured out to war.
Mr Vueti had said Tui Naikasi’s daughter, Raudalice, married the chief of Tui Namalata. It is through this link that people of Namuana have the gift of turtle calling and it is because of this link the turtle will not surface if someone with blood ties to Nabukelevu on Kadavu is present.
However, no one has ever explained why it is the people of Namuana can call on the turtle and not those of Namalata, (the neighbouring village) where Raudalice was married.
At Namuana Village there are two relatively unknown stories.
These are;
* The yatule a fish which was often seen in abundance once a year; and
* Why the people of Namuana can call on the turtle.
Yatule of Namuana
According to Mr Vuase, in the past the fish came once in a year and would fill up the traditional stone traps known as moka. He said they were not allowed to sell but only share the fish. This is similar to that of the people of Rukurukulevu in Nadroga, who have the ability to call on the fish.
While there are no written records or oral traditions explaining why the fish should not be sold, people from both villages are adamant they will only be blessed with an abundance of the fish if they share and not sell it
Its scientific name is Selar crumenophthalmus and is known in other parts of the country as tule, chule, yatule and bitubitu.
In Nadroga, the fish should not be caught using a line or spear as this is a sign of torture.
Last year in Nadroga, about 100 people were at the beach when the men returned with the boat full of chule; enough to feed everyone gathered there. Everyone just peacefully went their own way collecting fish when the net was dragged to the shore.
Mr Vuase said the yatule was no longer in abundance like before because they believed some had sold the fish. As in Rukurukulevu, selling the fish is interpreted as a sign of greed.
Namuana Village headman Jolame Bakata, when he was young, said he had seen his father bury the yatule but did not know why this was done.
Turtle callers of Namuana
Last week as shared by Mr Vuase they journeyed from Nabaitavo, landed at Udulevu beach on Kadavu before residing on a hilltop where they built their fortress overlooking Namalata bay. They were never defeated; it is for this reason the Tui Namalata requested the Tui Namuana to be his guardian, protector and warriors. It is a duty they still carry out today.
According to Mr Vuase, a chiefly presentation was done by the Tui Namalata asking for the hand of Raudalice. It was accepted and Raudalice departed Nacamaki and journeyed to Kadavu.
Some time later, he said Raudalice and her daughter were out at sea when they were caught by men of Talaulia, Nabukelevu in Kadavu. Mr Vuase said they had waded out further to sea not knowing a canoe was approaching.
He said the Talaulia men captured both mother and daughter but as they were taking them away, dark clouds formed unleashing heavy rain and a storm. He said the canoe in which the two women were began to take in water forcing the men to bail.
Mr Vuase said the women then turned into turtles and escaped from the Talaulia warriors.
The Namuana chant, which is usually sung to summon the turtles, explains the two women turning into turtles and being chased by the men of Talaulia.
Up to this day, it is said the turtles still hide at Muaicaukala, a rocky beach not far from Namuana Village.
Mr Vuase reaffirmed the turtles would not surface if someone with blood ties to the vanua of Valesasa (Nabukelevu) is present.
“During the chant, they sometimes do not rise. When this happens, people say that whenever someone from Nabukelevu is present, the turtles stay beneath the water for they recognise their enemies and turtles never forget those who have done them wrong.”
According to Josefa Ravuaka, the turaga ni mataqali of Naivakasese (leader of the landowning unit) there are certain things that should be done before, during and after the turtle is summoned.
“First, the approval will need to come from the chief, the Tui Namuana, who will bring the yaqona to us the priests of calling the turtle.
“The yaqona is then pounded and mixed and then a word of advice will be said to those who will be going.
“While they are gone, we the priests will remain and we will continue drinking yaqona until they return. The yaqona should not finish,” said Mr Ravuaka.
Mataqali of Naivakasese
The men of Naivakasese are the traditional warriors of the Tui Namalata and priests of the turtle calling. They have been given this traditional role, because as earlier mentioned they are the guardians and protector of the Tui Namalata.
This is probably why the two turtles sought refuge at Muaicaukala so the warriors could protect them.
Mr Vuase explained anyone married to Namuana or with blood ties to the village could summon the turtle but after the Tui Namuana had given his approval and those the landowning unit of Naivakasese had endorsed it.
Methodist church steward of Namuana Ratu Isoa Uluiviti said the ability to call on the turtle was a God-given ability.
“God first created everything before he created us. When created, we are told that we have a strong relationship with the vanua.
“Everyone has a special identity or link with the vanua to which you belong. This gift was given by God to the people of Namuana.”
In Fiji, there are those who have other special abilities. One just needs to speak with All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo who had fractured his leg and was told he would miss the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He however made the team after being massaged by his uncle at Nadroumai in Nadroga and became the first Fijian player to lift the William Webb Ellis Trophy.
There are countless other stories of those who can massage away all manner of illnesses and there are those who can exorcise evil spirits. Are they God-given abilities or some supernatural forces sourced from somewhere else?
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. One thing for sure this special abilities have helped people achieve great things.
The ability to call on turtles has been an income-generating project for the people of Namuana assisting them meet family, village and church obligations.
