MENTION Tai Naomi to anybody from Tamusua or Nabukeru in Yasawa and they will tell you she is one woman who must be commended for her contribution to the development of those two villages.
Naomi Dievo, 75, originally of Yasawa-i-Rara, lives in Nabukeru.
She is considered the matriarch of not just her family, but for the people of Nabukeru.
The widow, who has been living on her own since her three children spread their wings and built their own families, is very independent.
Despite her age, Tai Naomi can still weave mats, baskets and at the same time ensure her compound is neat and clean.
Tai Naomi was the wife of the late Apenisa Samu, the former village headman and Yasawa tikina representative to the Ba Provincial Council.
Village headman Inoke Koronivalu said Tai Naomi had made immense contributions to the development of Nabukeru and its people.
"She is one woman who knows everything she is doing and is very good at it," he said.
"She was a great helper to my uncle (her late husband)."
Mr Koronivalu said Tai Naomi was very knowledgeable and as such had a lot to offer the women of the village.
"She knows a lot of things from weaving mats and baskets to cooking and anything a woman can do," he said.
"She has been teaching the women how to do these things."
Tai Naomi said her skills were acquired from the Soqosoqo Vakamarama gatherings she attended.
The association, which is the largest women's group in the country, is a blessing for the indigenous women, she said.
Tai Naomi said she always supported her late husband in whatever work he did.
She fondly recalls when the late Governor General Ratu George Cakobau journeyed to the Yasawas shortly after his appointment.
Tai Naomi said though Nabukeru was not on his itinerary, they prepared a feast to celebrate his appointment.
She led the women in their preparation.
It was a challenging role but the success of the event was very rewarding. Tai Naomi said she was now on a personal mission to ensure that all the women on Nabukeru and Yasawa learn and master the skills necessary for such traditional events.
