BAU Island transformed into a hive of activity this week as thousands converged to pay their final respects to the late Na Turaga Taukei Naisogolaca during a massive traditional State funeral operation.
The chiefly island became a scene of intense preparation for the dignitaries and delegations that arrived there yesterday.
The ireguregu saw a larger number of magiti presented to sustain the massive crowd that gathered on the island.
Approximately 30,000 dalo were distributed among various marquees for peeling and preparation.
To feed the thousands of mourners attending the week-long function, about 50 pigs presented during the ireguregu by visiting officials were processed for catering.
The night before the funeral was a sleepless one for the island.
Working through the dark hours, people of Bau ensured every detail was in strict accordance with tradition to accommodate the large number of arrivals for yesterday’s proceedings.
Every effort focused on the management of catering and protocol for the crowd.
The sheer volume of offerings and the tireless will of the local community highlighted the weight of the occasion as the island successfully hosted one of its largest and maybe the last traditional gatherings in recent memory.
