Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On

Unique Style

I read with interest the article about the unique traditional storytelling chants known as Vakalutu-i-voce. The  awards has been named after Vauliasi Cagitubuna because of his unique singing style.

This could be a dying traditional art that will soon only be seen performed by contemporary artists. There are a few more traditional art and craft that are now mainly performed by the the elders. For the lucky child he or she is privileged to have these passed onto them. Modernisation and other factors will have affected how it was passed down to them. Pottery, mat and basket weaving , the meke, and traditional chants, to name a few.

While we are still on the subject, our local artists could form associations and go into the villages and settlements, while the old folk are still alive, and resurrect and document all the old traditional arts and craft and introduce them into vocational studies in schools. We teach carpentry, cooking and sewing in school, why not include tradition also?

May I suggest that we rope in the Fiji Arts Council, USP, the Ministry of iTaukei affairs, Provincial Councils and other interested parties or people. Fiji is oozing with talent and traditional arts and craft unique only to Fiji, lets do something now or lose it all together.

Professor Subramani is one person who comes to mind regarding the iTaukei language and  its issues. The other noted persons are Dr Paul Geraghty and Master Iliesa Baravilala.

And who better to head this assignment than Tuilagi Igelese Ete of the Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture & Pacific Studies at USP.


Allen Lockington is a self-employed customs agent and business consultant who has regular articles published in Fiji. I thank Allen for permission to reprint some of them in this political blog. They remind us that life goes on, whatever the political situation. And it's good to know that.
Lockington's Everyday Fiji ... Life Goes On