The Great Council of Chiefs should work with iTaukei youths aged between 20 and 49 years to prepare them for future traditional duties.

Macuata district rep Semi Qamese told the GCC Review Committee this was critical because ever since the removal of the GCC in 2007 by the Bainimarama administration, iTaukei customs and traditions had been slowly eroded.

“The GCC should work closely with this age group because right now, most don’t know what the GCC is, its functions and why it existed, among other issues,” Mr Qamese said.

“In villages now, people have become dependent and not like our elders or during our time when we knew our roles and didn’t depend on anyone to tell us what to do because we knew.

“Traditional roles among our young ones today are unclear, especially roles of the bati, sauturaga and other clans and what they are required to do when the chief calls for a meeting.”

Mr Qamese said the issue needed to be urgently addressed to avoid any confusion in future generations.

Team chairman Dr Jone Baledrokadroka said the issues would be included in their recommendations.