Pre-European cultural heritage on display

Press, 24 April 1979, Page 28

Pre-European cultural heritage on display

Men can save as much as $2OO by having their suits made in Fiji. Good quality Indian tailors can be found in Suva, Nandi, Sigatoka. and Lautoka who will produce well-made suits from as little as $9O. Mr Ranjit B. Solanki, managing director of Narotam and Company, one of Suva’s leading tailors, said the cost depended on the quality of cloth used and it was possible to pay as much as $250 for the best imported European fabrics. Tailors generally require two full days and at least two fittings to produce a suit which can be worn home dutyfree. Mr Solanki is shown fitting a safari jacket on a client.

With the recent opening of the Cultural Centre and Marketplace of Fiji at Pacific Harbour, the visitor now has an opportunity to witness the traditions of Fijian life as it was before European on tact.

The $7.5M complex is .et in 22 acres of land 40 cilometres west of Suva. For $8.50 each (children half price) visitors are gently transported by twin-hulled canoe past a series of bures where Fijians are seen working on handicrafts. The canoes, which are poled by young “warriors,” are designed so that visitors may view the men and women carving wood, building canoes, making pottery, weaving mats and so on — all at eye level and at lose range. The display is organised so that visitors watch the entire process of creativity from beginning to end, almost within a single glance. Guides point out the significance and uses of the native plants that have been planted to provide fibres, dyes, or medicine, while visitors can

This traditional Fijian temple (left) is the focal point of the centre. One of the covered canoes used for transporting visitors around the displays is shown at right. Below, a Fijian woman glazes a pot with gum.

also watch young lads collecting clay'from the river for pottery material. Because authenticity is the keyword at the centre, a good deal of research has gone into recreating traditional craft methods. Care has also been taken in designing the replica village, which is dominated by a dramatic 70ft high temple and fortified chiefly dwelling, the first to be built in more than a century. Visitors will soon be able to purchase the art and craft they have seen being created in the ancient tradition. Handcraft will be on sale at the mar-

ketplace, which is built and landscaped in the style of mid-Victorian Fiji, and which will also sell modern fashionwear, shells, and jewellery. A

restaurant overlooking the centre will open in July. Other intentions are to build an aviary to hold about 200 Fijian birds and an orchid house to display one of the world’s largest collections of orchdids. The Dance Theatre of Fiji, which is housed at the cultural centre, performs the islands’ ancient and authentic dances in a realistic and natural setting. The performance, which includes spear and club dances, war challenges, and primitive games, is held : n ’he evening and lasts 90 minutes. The charge is $4.50 each.

One of the most exciting projects now under way is the building of a great drua. or war canoe capable of holding 100 warriors.