THE information below was sourced and translated from the VosaVosa Vaka Viti manual which is provided by the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, iTaukei Institute of Language and Culture.
Vakaiubi na lua ni madrai
In the olden days, our forefathers had special food which was prepared for the hurricane season or when they prepared for a long journey, war, famines or long droughts
The food is properly prepared and could last for days and months before being consumed and still fresh.
Rootcrops such as breadfruit, vudi, ivi and cassava are used a lot as preparatory food for the rainy days.
The food is properly wrapped usually in banana or breadfruit leaves. When unwrapped, it is still fresh.
The term Vakaiubi na lua ni madrai is used to describe, a person who tries to hide the truth, but eventually it is uncovered.
Toa ni koro
When directly translated means “the village chicken/ rooster”.
There are two types of chickens — the wild ones that live in the bush and the village ones that roam around in the village.
This term is used to describe a person who remains in the village and does not go anywhere. It is also used to describe a person who spends his time protecting and developing his own village.
Dui seva ga na bua e tea
The bua or frangipani is a delicate flower often used by women to make garlands or put behind the ear as decoration.
This is often done during functions such as weddings and birthdays. Usually when making the garlands, women bring the frangipani flowers from their own garden. The texture of the flower will depend on how the garden is looked after by the gardener.
This term is used to describe a person who does not listen to instructions or advice and end up in trouble. It is often used to describe a man or a woman who ends up with the wrong partner, and later regretting marrying that person.
Drau qai laki sota ki vunigasau leka
In Fiji mythology, the vunigasau leka (short reed plant) is found in Bua and a place where the souls of the dead go and meet.
This term when directly translated means “Let’s meet at the meeting place of the souls (vuni gasau leka)”.
The term is used when a couple, a companion or two friends part ways knowing they will not meet again.