WAI KAVA.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1924, Page 4

WAI KAVA.

TYPICAL FIJIAN YILLAGE. (Gwendoline. North, 8.A.) It was nesting amongst Hie gently swavitig coconut palms, this I'ijiau villiage of which L write. Like so many of its kind, it 'was scarcely discernible from quite close in to the shore, and therefore came as something of a surprise. It was reached through a small passage in tlie reef which surrounds the island, a passage so small that it is extremely difficult to find ; any boat however small, runs a great risk of being dashed to pieces on the reef, especially in rough weather. Inside tlie reef, the water is generally calm, hut so shallow at low tide as not to he 11111igahle by anything larger that a rowing boat; so far the approach to, and departure from, this village one must of necessity wait lor the high tide. One is carried ashore from the boat, and finds oneself amongst coconut palms and grass growing luxurinutß under foot. One or two Imres are to he seen close to the shore, hilt the til* liage proper 011 the hill. A winding path is traversed, (lagged on either side with large shells painted white—(,nitc a quaint decoration. Amongst the coconuts on the bill are to he seen many of the homes ol the naliies. BURES. The structure of these Imres is rather remarkable, and many of them show perfect workmanship. Stout posts are sunk into the ground to a distance of about lift. These form the basis of the structure. Between these are cross beams; the main structure ‘of the roof is formed in the same way. Next, 011 both walls and roof, bamboo forms lattice work made in such a way as to keep out the rain. Bark and leaves of trees laced down with vines form a covering for the roof and walls. When the whole bore is finished, it is extremely picturesque, and 11 charming home in which to live, as there is a gentle current of air passing through il day and night. Sometimes . even while people are content to live >” Imres. When Government House ill Suva was burnt down several years' ago, the natives, under the direction „f their chiefs, built a huge Imre in the grounds. It took many months to 1,ni1,1, mi,l cost of exorbitant sum of C7IHIO. as the materials had to he brought some miles. It is a womlerlol ..,1,1,.,. mi|| .111 extremely high root. I'lifortunately 1 1, has imt . >',•! been used for residence. Inside, a Imre it is quite as attractive as when viewed from, the outside. On the Moor arc wonderful Fijian mats, all liaiidwoven. Some, of course, are more valuable than others, hot all have a certain charm. The hotter ones have intricate patterns woven in. in black, or colours. The colourings in black, red and purple are all made from vegetable dyes extracted hv the natives themselves from the hark of trees. Round the edge of those mats are deep fringes. From the beams which form the base of the roofs pieces of tnpn are generally found hanging. This is made From the hark of the coconut, and is is formed into a Hat laliric after much pounding. Coloured dyes are then used to form patterns, and many pieces of tapa are of great value. CANNIBALISTIC DAYS.

Wlien white people first came cross a Fijian Imre in the old cannibalistic days, they returned with a strange tale of natives who used bedsteads. The wonder of the civilised world was great, until they hoard of the raison d’etre of the bedsteads. In the early days <mc tribe was accustomed to make raids oil another t r ibe. As these raids very often look took place at night, there arose the wish to devise some method of outwitting their enemies. Therefore, large structures three or four I eel. high were built. Rosts were sunk in the ground, and cross beams n 010 erected. The first: settlors did not realise that it was under, rather than on ton. of those bedsteads that the entire family slept, to as to prevent the risk of being taken by surprise during the night by their enemies, and being killed by a crack on the head with a club. Now amongst the Fijians a bedstead finds in proper use. The days of milling arc over, and they can enjoy peaceful lives. Material, which hears a resemblance to string, is drawn across, and the top of the bed reminds one of the strings of a tennis racquet.

On the top of the hod. to make it comfortable, are spread many beautiful mats, sometimes with a fringe of different coloured wools, which give them a gay appearance. These hods are generally built large enough for six or eight. Nowadays, they are used to sleep 011, instead of under. This, then, is the interior of the Imre, where generations of Fijians have lived their lives. Now in some of the bures one notices table, chairs, cups, and plates, all due to tlie influx of civilsation. Sometimes a chief owns several bures each of which is used for a different object, even a kitchen and livin<r room being found necessary. WATER CARRIERS.

Tanks are nowhere to he seen, and at first one wonders where the water conies from. Soon women may lvo seen carrying large pieces of bamboo ’ over their shoulders. One wonders what they are doing, and is told that the bamboo holds water. Sometimes a piece is taken which has been cut just below the join, and is therefore hollow. This is filled with water, just as if it were a jug, and is earned home very carefully. Another method used is to carry a piece of bamboo closed at both ends, and to insert a knife into the side and immerse it in the stream. When the bamboo is full of water, the gash will close up, and water can he carried miles m this manner. A Fijian village is always close to a stream, and, as the rainfall is good, there is very seldom a serious shortage of water.