The Vanua o Vuda has declared a sweeping traditional tabu from February 1 this year, banning alcohol, kava, cigarettes and all forms of substance abuse in a bold community-led stand against drugs in the Western Division and across Fiji.
The declaration will remain in force for 251 days until October 10, 2026, targeting activities deemed “unrighteous” as traditional leaders tighten controls to protect communities from the growing drug threat.
Tui Vuda spokesman and Ba Provincial Council chairman Ratu Meli Tavaiqia said the move was designed to reinforce national law enforcement efforts and demonstrate leadership at the community level.
“This ‘tabu’ is to help law enforcement fight the war against drugs,” Ratu Meli said.
The tabu applies mainly to men and women under the age of 45 in several villages, including Viseisei, Lomolomo, Lauwaki, Nagaga (Abaca), and Waya Lailai (Namara).
To formally mark the start of the prohibition, a traditional anointing ceremony will be held this Sunday, following a march from the Vuda bypass to the village chapel at 3pm.
Ratu Meli said those who breach the order would not face civil penalties alone but would instead be dealt with through a traditional court system, reflecting the vanua’s resolve to take firm action.
He said while disciplinary approaches had evolved over time, protecting young people remained the priority.
The decision follows a recent multi-million-dollar drug bust at Vatia Wharf, which has heightened concerns among traditional leaders about the vulnerability of communities in the Western Division.
“If we are going to stop marijuana or hard drugs from entering our villages, we must be vigilant.”
The initiative aligns with the Fiji Police Force’s call for a “whole-of-nation” approach, urging families, chiefs and traditional structures to serve as the first line of defence against illicit narcotics.
