THEY wowed a jam-packed Nadogo Secondary School ground in the northern part of Macuata with their iTaukei traditional costume at the opening of the 2012 Vodafone Nadogo Carnival this week.
With unique designs of the popular kuta or freshwater reeds weaved into costumes that got the crowd to their feet, the contestants waved and smiled as they walked the stage displaying iTaukei costumes.
Contestant Anaseini Tugi and escort Ifereimi Rokomasa who represented the villages of Vunivutu, Taganikula, Mouta, Ravita and Kavewa scooped the Bula Night titles.
Ms Tugi said their attire was specially made from masi and tapa printed material.
"I wore a combination of traditional and modern iTaukei attire while my companion wore chiefly attire," Ms Tugi said.
"The community members worked together to put up our costumes and we are really happy that the crowd and the judges noticed the effort.
"This is a form of promoting our culture and tradition and we are proud to be wearing it."
Ms Tugi said they did not expect to win the Bula Night because the rest of the contestants also wore beautiful and elegant traditional wear.
"We all looked beautiful and I know our costumes gave the judges a hard time.
"As students, we will continue to promote our culture and tradition everywhere we go."
The carnival featured the sale of food items, handicrafts and entertainments by students from various schools in the district.