MOST figures of speech in the iTaukei language describe human behaviour. There is a style of speaking when trying to teach someone certain things.
The use of words, how they are used and when they are pronounced is so unique that not many listening at that spur of moment would be able to understand.
Sadly though, most of these figures of speech are no longer used or are only used by the older generation.
As follows are some figures of speech which are rarely used nowadays.
Information has been sourced and translated from the Vosa Vaka Viti manual, which was provided by the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs’ iTaukei Institute of Language and Culture.
Kuvu nona dravu
Kuvu is the iTaukei word for smoke. Dravu in this context means when someone tries to hide or gives up after their weakness has been identified or when there is no more energy.
This figure of speech is used as motivation. The term means when someone has no more energy to carry out one’s duty.
The term is used a lot during community or village work when people are tired and no one wants to show that they are tired, that’s when the elders use the term to motivate the young men or those that are working.
For example: When lifting or pulling a heavy load, the elders or the leader of the group will shout:
“Vacava cei sa kuvu nona dravu?” (Tell me who wants to give up/So is there any more energy left or should we rest?)
In Vione, Gau, the term “doko na kai Vione” is used, while in Kubulau, Bua, it is “me dra saraga a yamemu”.
Today the term, “cei sa lutu na nona qanibulu”, has been used a lot. It’s those words that motivate people to complete the task and not give up until the task is completed.
Caca vakabokola droka
When cannibalism was practised, the bokola was a corpse to be eaten.
Caca vakabokola droka, when directly translated, means the raw corpse that is eaten. However, the true meaning of this figure of speech is used to describe a lazy person.
In the olden days when a corpse is brought, those who are lazy to cook consume their meal raw, but when it is cooked they also want to have a piece of the cooked meal.
The term is usually used to describe a person that is lazy, and only waits for things to be done before they can join in.
Bu ni Bau
Bu is the iTaukei word for green coconut. The term is said to originate from the scarcity of coconuts on the island of Bau. And because coconut is scarce on the island, having to drink green coconut is next to impossible.
The term is used to describe occassions where there is no one else left that can perform a certain task. The task is then given to another to be carried out or performed by a person who either does not know or should not be doing it. In other words, performing a duty that one should not be performing.
In an iTaukei setting, everyone has their specific traditional roles and responsibilities. For example, only members of the chiefly clan are allowed to cook the food and prepare the yaqona for the chief.
The fishermen’s (gonedau) duty is to provide fish for the chief while the warrior (bati) protects the chief. Then there is the carpenter/wood carver (mataisau) and the priests (bete).
If the traditional welcome ceremony of isevusevu is being performed and members of the chiefly clan are missing, this term is often used.
“Ivei o iratou na dodonu me losea mena yaqona na turaga?” (Where are those that were supposed to prepare the chief’s yaqona?)
“Sa tu ga na bu ni Bau.” (Ony the green coconut from Bau is left) meaning none of them are present, and those who will be preparing it are not members of the chiefly clan.
Banaka tu vakawaqa ni Kiuva
Banaka means to lie in an awkward position. Waqa is boat. Kiuva is a village in Tailevu.
It is said that boats in Kiuva are carelessly berthed that at times one boat can take up space that can fit two boats.
The term Banaka tu vakawaqa ni Kiuva is used to describe person or people who are lying down and or sitting blocking the doorway. I remember when we were young, where the lone home in the village with the television will be jam-packed. As soon as the owner of the house would utter the words, “Banaka tu na waqa ni Kiuva” or “Banaka tu vakawaqa ni Kiuva”, it is signal that someone is blocking the doorway.
Leqa na qio qai kata
When directly translated means a shark will only bite when it is in trouble.
According to research, sharks do not normally hunt humans, however, when they do attack a human, it is usually a case of mistaken identity. In other cases, sharks will only attack to protect themselves or when it knows that something is about to happen or has invaded their habitat.
The term is used to describe someone who makes last-minute preparation. It is often used to describe a person who is self-centred and when they are in trouble then they finally look around for assistance and help.
Makutu i siga dua
Makutu is a very diligent or hardworking person. The phrase “Makutu i siga dua” is used to describe a person who can only be there when work starts, but cannot complete the work.
The term is used a lot during community or village work when after a heavy lunch, some who had been part of the working group from the morning goes missing, or has side-stepped to another place, maybe for a yaqona session.
