MOST of those who live in and around Suva, Nasinu and nearby areas will be familiar with the area known as Laucala Beach Estate. It is between Suva and the Nasinu suburb of Kinoya.
From the main road, Kings Rd, one can reach Laucala Beach, as it is often referred to, by turning right into Ratu Dovi Rd.
Also from Suva, one can also go to Laucala Beach following the so-called back road.
Past the Bailey Bridge along Nokonoko Rd is a turn to the right. This is Sekoula Rd and off Sekoula is Tagimoucia.
But what many may not know is that on this road is a ring ditch fortification site originally called Nawaidamudamu, now part of what we know as Laucala Beach.
Today, we take a look at the ring ditch and its historical significance.
Apisalome Movono Jr (AM) is the president of the Laucala Beach Sustainability Society (LBSS). Mr Movono, who is also the co-founder of Laucala Beach Ring Ditch Fortification, shares with The Sunday Times (ST) what they have discovered about the ring ditch.
Below is the interview with Mr Movono.
ST: What is the historical significance behind this ring ditch?
AM: Its significance is immense and threefold in terms of its place in modern Fijian history, its educational nature and its uniqueness as an ancient Fijian tribal structure.
It is important firstly because of its prominent physical features as a ring ditch fortification site, known as or Korowaiwai — a reminder of the complex engineering, tactical and complex military skills maintained by our forebears during tribal times. As an outpost for warriors, it is the last remaining physical ring ditch structure within the Suva to Nausori corridor. Other remaining ditches (much larger) can be found in Burebasaga and Molituva (constructed around the same time).
Other ring ditch sites remain unprotected and often neglected in other parts of Fiji from Gau to the hills of Navosa. Although a common tool for protection, ring ditches have other political and sociocultural significance that enhance understanding about indigenous Fijian identity.
The Nawaidamudamu site is today the only physical reminder of the last epic tribal battle to have occurred before Christianity was embraced in Fiji.
Although records are scarce, it was the battle for Nawaidamudamu that allowed for the liberation of much of the land within the bounds of Suva and Nasinu, archival as well as anecdotal evidence supports this. The territorial expansion by Kalabu (Naitasiri) into the now mostly urban regions in the greater Suva and Nasinu areas occurred as a result of the epic battle of Nawaidamudamu recorded through oral histories and a meke, still known to the elders of Vutia Village.
The preservation of history, understanding, and awareness of our indigenous cultural heritage is vital, and provides relevance and significance for this project.
ST: Why is it named Nawaidamudamu?
AM: Nawaidamudamu, in Fijian means “red water (because of it being bloody)” and implies how the site, now known as the Laucala Beach Ring Ditch Fortification Site was used and maintained in times of tribal warfare. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the site, now some 1.3 hectares (believed to have been larger), was originally constructed by the people of Vutia, Rewa and was originally named Naivoco.
The exact time of construction and archaological features were determined by the Fiji Museum and is estimated to have been constructed in the mid-1700s to the early 1800s.
In the mid to late 1700s, possibly 1730s, the last known battle was fought between invaders from the hill tribes of Kalabu and warriors who resided on the site (Vutia) the traditional warriors (bati) of Burebasaga. War was waged on the Vutia people by the people of Kalabu, and is where hundreds were slaughtered, and the area renamed “Nawaidamudamu”, because of the amount of blood shed as a result of that war.
Anecdotal evidence suggests the shores from Laucala Beach right to Muanivatu (old hangar at Laucala Bay) was tainted with blood and is why the area was renamed.
Although no formal records can confirm this, elders from Vutia and Kalabu confirm that such an event occurred which led to the extension of Naitasiri and Kalabu boundaries to the coastal areas now known as Laucala Beach Estate.
ST: What was the reason of the war at that ring ditch?
AM: Although little records exist to suggest a specific reason for the battle, we do know that these were turbulent times and the warlords from Kalabu and Naitasiri were notorious and well known for their voracity, thirst for blood and hunger for territorial expansion.
Early missionary records describe them as being aggressive, artful at war and termed as “hill people” as they are known today.
However, my tauvu are far from mere hill people or kai colo but also coastal landlords who contributed pioneering efforts towards the development of Suva and Fiji as we know it! What is unknown to most is that Kalabu, through the battle of Nawaidamudamu gained coastal territory which extends from the now FEA power plant to the Bhindi subdivision side in Vatuwaqa, extending up to Samabula — historically known as “na sa ma bula” or “we have survived”.
ST: What is the importance of the ring ditch to the traditional owners?
AM: I have mentioned some of these above, however, despite having immense significance to the traditional owners, there has been no co-ordinated effort or strategy to highlight or protect their histories.
This project aims to fill this void, by protecting the site as a reminder of the legacy of our ancestors as a benchmark of their strength, ingenuity, and intelligence of our forebears. Through this project, links have been established with the traditional owners with the intent of including them as part of the project
ST: Who does it traditionally belong to?
AM: This is interesting however, although it was an outpost constructed by Vutia warriors, it was demolished and taken over by Kalabu during the battle and then sold to a Mrs Sophia Wright and then to others before being declared a national heritage site in the late 1970s. It has since been registered with the National Trust of Fiji who are the current custodians
Developers of Laucala Beach Estate (Vishnu Prasad and Company), during the subdivision planning, realised its historical significance and decided to protect this particular site as other similar sites (Coca-Cola factory and FEA) had already been destroyed or demolished to make way for development.
This has been done by the National Trust of Fiji under the management, protection, and care of the Laucala Beach Sustainability Society and its partner volunteer clubs and societies (QVS Old Boys, USP Tourism and Hospitality Students Association and Lomani ‘Ama Development Association).
ST: What is the history of the land sales in the area?
AM: The Laucala Beach Ring Ditch Fortification Site and its unique attributes were first recorded in the Bill of Sale documents uncovered through archival research conducted at the National Archives of Fiji.
The Bill of Sale document confirms the existence of “a native war fortification site” which was purchased along with 380 acres of land extending from the banks of the Nasamabula River, following from the high water mark and leading to the upper ridges of what is now known as Laucala Beach Estate.
This general area was first purchased as a Crown Grant Title in 1864 to a Mrs Sophia Wright and then to a few others before being bought and developed as Laucala Beach Estate. Since then, the site along with its artefacts and oral history have been exposed to varying degrees of disturbance and alterations through dairy farming, agriculture and urban settlement until LBSS partnered with NTF to look after the site at the end of 2009.
ST: Will the traditional owners be asked to be part of consultation or when it is in operation?
AM: Yes, links have been established with both Kalabu and Vutia, however, they will be traditionally consulted and included when the funding is rolled out by NTF.
ST: Any further comments?
AM: For the past seven years, LBSS has been in charge of all development and maintenance related to the site and has invested between $4300 to $5000 per year. This includes the sourcing of tools, machinery, labour for the initial clearing and cultivation of over 80 different indigenous trees and plants and continued general maintenance.
We are now looking forward to the completion of the master plan and expansion of the project into a community-based eco-tourism site.
