Students of Adi Cakobau School were told to cut their hair to Fijian buiniga to perform the Sa Basi’a traditional meke during the installation of na Vunivalu na Tui Kaba Ratu Epenisa Seru Cakobau on Bau Island yesterday.
This, according to language and culture teacher Kalara Naiteqe.
She said the head girl and some other senior students had to cut their hair into the Fijian buiniga.
Ms Naiteqe said the school was given short notice that they were to perform.
“We are honoured to be here and participate at the installation of Ratu Epenisa Cakobau,” she said.
“It was a short notice and today we also had our prefects induction in school. “We received the information on Wednesday and had one day to prepare for the event.”
Ms Naiteqe said the meke was initially composed in 1974.
“The meke was the idea of the school head girl Selaima Kalouniviti. They had a tour to Australia and the meke was introduced to signify that tour.
“Lyrics in the meke are about their tour.”
