TERESIA Taina’s frail face tells a story of family devotion and resilience.
Her creased hands and benevolent nature – are common traits in women who work diligently behind-the-scenes to support their families.
At 84, Ms Taina does what many her age cannot.
She still collects firewood, wash clothes by the river and weaves mat – her grey hair indicating her wealth of knowledge and motherly strength.
Before dawn she rises to prepare for the day, each with blessing and challenges. She can still cook a decent meal for her family in the open fire.
“I don’t like to sit idle and prefer to be active as it keeps me strong and healthy,” she says.
Ms Taina is from Wainiyavu Village in the district of Veinuqa in Namosi but lives in Navitilevu in the district of Noikoro in Navosa.
Since marriage she has lived in Navosa where she raised her seven children with her late husband.
Even though she lives in Navitilevu she gets to visit her children and grandchildren at Draubuta Village in Noikoro where the Sunday Times team met up with her.
When the team met her at around 11am, she was hanging her laundry on the line and had just completed cleaning, a normal routine for all women in the village.
Her day starts as early as dawn as chores need to be done before the men return from the farm.
She makes sure her family members are fed and the kitchen is cleaned before she tends to other tasks.
Waking up early is a norm for those living in the village as farm works are often done during the coolest time of the day, soon after daybreak.
“I often go to collect firewood not far from home. I make sure to bring enough for cooking and for boiling my pandanus leaves,” she said.
“I plant cassava and collect my pandanus leaves for weaving. I also prepare the pandanus leaves after bringing them home.
“When I return home I tend to other chores and prepare our lunch. My children and grandchildren also do their share of work.
“I prefer doing as much as I can because I was raised that way and that has been the way I’ve lived my life whether I’m by myself or with my family.”
When doing laundry, Ms Taina goes down to the river to wash clothes.
“Most of us are raised doing laundry by the river. It’s been our way of life and we continue to do it today even with water being supplied to our various homes. Nothing really beats washing in the river and having a conversation with others.
“After washing our clothes, we bathe and then make our way home.
Teresia cherishes every moment she spends by the river and hopes the future generation will continue to enjoy the simple pleasures of village life.
For its source of livelihood, Ms Taina’s family relies on farming. She lives in harmony with nature, making sure enough is left for generations that will follow her.
Weaving is not a source of livelihood for Ms Taina, although she is an admired mat weaver.
In fact, she believes, mats are sacred. She doesn’t sell them to earn a living, she only use mats for family and vanua obligations.
“Before I used to weave a lot of mats, now as old age is slowly catching up I can only weave two mats in a few months.
“That way I don’t sit for long as it can affect my health, especially my back.”
Like many seasoned weavers, she prepares everything herself.
She harvests her pandanus leaves, removes the spine and spikey edges and then cleans the leaves.
After cleaning, the pandanus leaves are put in bundles and placed in boiling water to soften the green fronds.
“Sometimes I collect my own firewood or my family helps me as I need good firewood to boil the leaves.
“I make sure the process of voivoi preparation is followed so I get good voivoi for weaving.
When not busy she enjoys her time with her grandchildren.
She is grateful to be surrounded by good people in a good environment.
“I’m grateful that I’ve lived a long life, only God knows the time he will call me to be with him so I must make the most of the days he has given,” she says..
“I’m grateful for the breathe of life and being able to enjoy each day with family and friends.”
