WHILE most Fijians around the country spent their Boxing Day at the beach or relaxing at home after the Christmas festivities, men of Nabukaluka Village in Naitasiri were busy cleaning their communal grave site.

Village elder Vatiliai Vosawale said the clean-up was an annual event done after the villagers celebrated Christmas.

“We do this once a year and we see it as a blessing for us because we are keeping our connection with those who have gone before us,” Mr Vosawale said.

“This is the site where everyone from our tokatoka (sub-clan) is buried. This is part of tradition and every year the men know that we have work to do straight after Christmas.”

Mr Vosawale said the men and boys of the village woke up early on Tuesday and walked to the grave site of their sub-clan, which was situated on a hill by the Nabukaluka Rd.

He said the men spent the whole day clearing the cemetery, which had about 15 graves.