My village is Nayaulevu, Ra, located in the interior of Viti Levu
island. The people at Nayaulevu grow sugar cane and most of their food crops.
I was often amazed at the resourcefulness of
the Fijian people. In the photo at left, some dough is being baked into tasty buns
by heating from above as well as below. Coconut husks serve as fuel.
The seas surrounding Fiji are rich with life. Fishing by
spear, net and hook are skills that most Fijians have.
Mosese and his mother, Uma, (right) are about
to prepare our evening meal. Mosese and I speared these sea creatures at night.
The little talapia at left will make a tasty meal at Merevakauca, Ra.
The women typically do most of the net fishing.
Sometimes groups of 20 or more women would wade
into the sea with big nets to herd and capture the fish.
Mariana Nabutu (right) cuts cattle intestine into bite-sized pieces using a
sharp piece of bamboo. She has metal knives, but finds the razor-sharp bamboo more
effective.
Making mats from Pandanus leaves (left) was a
common skill among women.