THE crested iguana of Yadua is a sacred totem animal and considered special to the people of Yadua.
The endemic species is found in large numbers on the small island of Yadua Taba, located close to the island of Yadua.
Yadua elder Jotame Ratabu said apart from the mythical tales of how the reptiles first arrived on Yadua Taba, there was also a lot of fear linked to the sacredness of the Saumure or crested iguana to the Yadua people.
The 85-year-old said according to an account passed on from their ancestors, the Saumure were believed to be the lice of the island’s tribal god named Volivoliti Yadua.
Mr Ratabu said the iguanas fell from Volivoliti Yadua’s head as lice and lived as iguana to this day.
“He is named Volivoliti Yadua because he is the island’s refuge as his name suggests, Volivoliti Yadua literally means ‘surrounding’ Yadua,” he said.
“He knows everything that happens on this island and guards it from all the evil of the world.”
Mr Ratabu said there were some unique attributes of the iguana that contributed to their mystique.
“All the iguana live only on Yadua Taba, the species has never been found on the neighbouring larger island of Yadua even though people can wade across to the island at low tide.”
He said this added to the fear and reverence given to the reptiles by the Yadua people.
Mr Ratabu said people did not take the Saumure to Yadua from Yadua Taba because they were frightened of bringing Volivoliti Yadua’s wrath upon themselves.
“Volivoliti Yadua, according to our elders, resided in a cave that was guarded by two Volai (crested iguanas) and they flew around the island and took news of what was happening around the island to him.”