While many Fijians have benefitted from the Pacific Labour Mobility scheme work opportunities, a few youths from Ba and Ra continue the cane-cutting tradition because it allows them to remain with their families and earn just enough income for their family’s needs.
A team from this newspaper caught up with these energetic middle-aged men in Nadari, Ba braving the heat to complete their quota of a large cane field ready for harvest.
Unaisi Vono, who spoke on behalf of this group of me, said they saw it fit to remain true to their cane-cutting duties because it allowed them to stay near to their families and heed to the call of the vanua.
“They have been cutting cane for a number of years now and during harvesting season they have already tend to their farms back in the village before heading to Ba to cut canes,” Ms. Vono said.
“While out here for five months, the dalo and cassava farms are also growing and supplement income during the first half of the year.
“These villagers have known too well how to master their annual program as farmers and for them cane-cutting is simply to earn extra income and purchase new television sets and other stuff their home needs.”
Ms Vono explained that this was a tradition adopted from their older generation and a number of villagers in the West had been able to send their children to school and earn a decent living by simply following this tradition.
She said a number of their cane cutters were newly-weds and preferred staying with their loved ones allowed them to strengthen their relationship.
