She was busy hand-designing the names on the fan as orders from customers poured in.
Meet Salote Rarawa from Daku, Buretu in Tailevu who runs a small business. Ms Rarawa said she bought plain fans from village women and hand-designed it.
She said designed fans were sought-after because of their unique designs which are known as “iri ni daku”.
The 40-year-old said she did this to help older women in the village because they don’t have the time and energy to sell their handicraft.
“This handicraft is the source of income for the women and also we know that we have to keep this tradition alive and ensure that our children will continue the traditionm,” Ms Rarawa said.
She explained that ever since she left school in 1999, she followed the womenfolk in the village and learnt how they make fans.
“We are not allowed to tell how the fan is made because this fan is only confined to the women in Daku and we should keep it that way.
“For me I started doing this last year and I just stayed home after COVID-19 and the lockdown, but now I am back in business.
“Sometimes, it is sold to other businesswomen and they put the price high.
“I sell this on behalf of the women in the village.
“It’s a good feeling when you help your relatives especially the elderly.
“This is also a source of income for me as I pay for my eldest daughter’s school fees at the University of the South Pacific.
“I have three children to look after, so selling this special fan from my village helps me a lot.”
On any given day she can sell 40 fans at Downtown Boulevard.
“A lot of people too in Suva know about this business through word of mouth.
“It’s really good that people appreciate and buy locally made products.”
Ms Rarawa hopes a lot more can be done for rural-based women who run businesses.
“A lot of women in the village can just make money from handicrafts and other skills that they have.
“But their accessibility to the market and the support is needed in order for them to succeed.”
She admitted that selling in the heart of Suva is a prime location and she is thankful that she was given the opportunity to sell and market the fans that her village is renowned for.
She said people buy this fan as birthday gift, wedding present and some are adorned on their salusalu.
