Located in the highlands of Ba, Navala Village portrays a unique story of what most iTaukei village settings were like during the early days of inhabitants.
Many stories have been heard about this village especially of the thatched Fijian bure which has been a major tourist attraction –and one that brings much needed revenue to the villagers.
The Fiji Times team was invited by the then Commissioner Western Commander Joeli Cawaki to join his team in an attempt to solve a longstanding land dispute between the people of Navala and their fellow highlanders at neighbouring Navatusila district.
Just like all other villages in the country, we were amazed to hear the history of this village and how it came to existence. We met up with then 75-year-old Suliano Saunivalu of mataqali Veivatu who was the storyteller of the day. He said Navala Village started in 1951 and there were three villages occupying the new site.
Mr Saunivalu said his clan was originally from Cuvu Village in the highlands of Ba, but that village was no longer in existence as all villagers have moved to Navala while some have moved to Cuvu in Sigatoka.
“I am from Cuvu in the district of Yalatina, and our old village site is located near Nanoko Village in Navatusila. Our forefathers originally came from Nakauvadra and later resided in the high lands along the Ba and Navosa border,” he said.
“I was only a small boy when a dispute erupted in the village resulting in some of the villagers opting to look for places in other parts of Viti Levu. Some moved to Cuvu in Nadroga and some went to Nagado.
“In 1951 the Turaga ni Narata, Ratu Semi Nakautoga, who was residing here at Navala, traditionally approached our elders in the highlands presenting the whales tooth (tabua) for us to come and reside at Navala.”
Mr Saunivalu said the main idea of moving to Navala was to assist in the construction of the primary school. He was one of the pioneer students of what is the now the Navala Catholic School.
“In fact Ratu Semi also approached the people of Batimoli and Koroboya, both located in the highlands of Ba, but the Koroboya elders refused to come down to Navala.
“So we and the Batimoli villagers deserted our village in the highlands and moved to Navala. “Before coming here, there were some people already in Navala, but they were residing at an other place and decided to move to this new site after our arrival at Navala.
“Those that are leading us now were given a land on the other side of the river to occupy and they were from Verata ,but are now registered in Navala.
He said the village started with the construction of three big bure.
“Here in Navala we still practise solesolevaki in terms of any village work especially for the building of the bure. Mr Saunivalu said despite their different origins, the new Navala has brought about peace, togetherness and prosperity for the villagers.
Navala-Navatusila tribal disputes
Cattles being slaughtered, houses burnt and villagers involved in a free-for all brawl were some of the major incidents caused by land disputes between these two tribes.
In an attempt to solve the issue, the government through the then Commissioner Western Commander Joeli Cawaki held several discussions with both parties, hoping to reach an amicable solution.
Nanoko villagers in Navatusila traditionally presented their matanigasau (traditional ceremony of forgiveness) for their actions.
The matanigasau was a bit hard to be accepted by the people of Navala, but in good spirit they have accepted the apology.
The people of Navala had lodged many reports that their cows were slaughtered and more than six bure were torched by fire from the people of Navatusila—all caused by the dispute over the ownership of a piece of land at the border of the Ba and Navosa highlands. Reports from the iTaukei Land Commission and the iTaukei Land Trust Board, state the land belongs to the mataqali Veivatu of Navala.
The disputed land was where the old village site was located. With the intervention of the government both parties are now on good terms. And one of the solutions reached was for the people of Navala to occupy their vacant land which has been a subject of dispute.
Speaking to the people of Nanoko and Navala district, Cdr Cawaki said one of the major causes of land dispute was the issue of vacant lands between the border of the two districts.
He said the government would do its outmost best to unite these two factions—starting with the reconciliation held at Navala village.
Cdr Cawaki said these two districts were traditionally related, but the isolated location of their villages and the unsupervised livestock was one of the contributing factors to the disputes.
“The government is grateful to see the two factions have reconciled and it has been confirmed by the members of Veivatu clan that they will be soon be building houses on the land.”
Mr Saunivalu said the mataqali members have agreed for some members of the clan to build their houses on the subject land and to re-occupy their old village site.
