In the past few decades, the iTaukei people unknowingly and unwillingly have lost part of their identity — traditional games.
In the late 1700s to 1800s, Fijians were known as cannibals but when there was no war there were traditional games played by children, young adults and even the elderly.
It is rather unfortunate that most of these games are no longer played because of the impact of westernisation and modernisation.
At the end of these games were a lot of merrymaking with the losing teams expected to prepare food as a way of accepting defeat.
This week we take a look at a few traditional games:
* Vaqiqi moli (rolling of the orange)
Perhaps one of the most interesting and sought-after games that was practised in the past.
Whenever elders from two villages saw there were an increase in the number of single men and women, the vaqiqi moli game was usually held.
The village elders would set a date and everyone would look forward to it.
The bachelors would stand on one side and the spinsters on the other. The men were expected to roll the orange to the young women.
Whichever spinster picked up the orange became the young man’s wife.
* Veibo (wrestling)
To think that wrestling was a sport introduced by foreigners, this traditional game was filled with a lot of fun and laughter.
Each wrestler would try and push the other out of the boundary or lift him and see the opponent land on his back.
Today wrestling is an Olympic sport.
* Ai bo (hand wrestling)
Hand wrestling was also a popular game among Fijian men. In this game, men tried to show who was more powerful than the other by challenging each to a hand wrestling competition.
The wrestlers gripped each hand tightly and would try and push the other’s backhand to the floor or top of the surface they were on.
A winner is declared when the opponents backhand touches the floor or the surface.
* Veidre dali (tug of war)
One of the most common games still played today is the tug of war. The game is usually filled with a lot of fun and laughter as well.
Before the introduction of ropes, vines were used.
The two opposing teams would be on each end of the vine trying to pull the other team over.
At the Sukuna Bowl, the tug of war is one of the major attractions apart from the main rugby competition.
* Next week: More exciting iTaukei traditional games.
