Adi Laisani Turaga knows that preserving tradition begins with passing knowledge from one generation to the next.
The 64-year-old woman from Naluwai in Naitasiri, married into Natavea, her late husband’s village, where she continues to live with her daughters. A mother of five, she remains committed to fulfilling her family’s responsibilities and obligations to the Church and vanua.
Her dedication was evident when she joined hundreds of villagers lining the Wainibuka, Wainimala, Waidina and Wailevu rivers to cheer on members of the Naitasiri Division Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) during their bilibiliathon, or vakaciri bilibili campaign.
According to Adi Laisani, the event was about more than fundraising.
While the initiative seeks to establish an investment account for the division’s MYF, she believes its greatest value lies in reconnecting young people with their cultural heritage.
“Because this is MYF Week, I am proud to see the youths of Naitasiri engage in this activity from which they will revive cultural knowledge and attain wisdom about the vanua and how our ancestors used nature to their advantage,” she said.
Before roads connected communities, bilibili, traditional bamboo rafts, were an important means of transport for people living along the province’s rivers.
By taking to the waterways, the youths were experiencing a part of their heritage that might otherwise be forgotten.
Adi Laisani was particularly pleased that the initiative offered young people an opportunity to learn together while strengthening their relationships with one another.
“Instead of being in the urban centres and being pressured into substance abuse and peer pressure, they are here learning from each other and engaging in genuine fellowship,” she said.
When she heard that The Fiji Times team had arrived in Natavea and was heading towards the riverbank, she hurried out of her home to witness the youths passing by and offer her encouragement.
She also joined other women, men and children in preparing refreshments for the participants.
As the bilibili swept past, villagers tossed bunches of bananas and fresh fruit to the youths, while playful splashing in the river celebrated the veitabani relationships shared by certain tribes in the province.
Adi Laisani (in maroon t-shirt) and fellow Natavea villages who greeted the Naitasiri MYF along the Wailevu River. Picture: ALIFERETI SAKIASI
