Naravuka Village was once known as a safe haven for many villagers in the province of Macuata. According to village elder Arieta Samosi, the name Naravuka refers to an event in the early days when people fled to the village to settle.
“They came from around Macuata because there were constant wars happening then, so those who wanted to escape did so by coming to Naravuka,” Ms Samosi said.
“Our elders say this village was known for welcoming everyone and also known as a safe place.”
However, before Naravuka Village was established, Samosi said their elders lived in neighbouring Nacereyaga Village.
“During that time no one lived in Nacereyaga, so all our elders and forefathers lived in Nacereyaga, and they had two tribes.
“The two tribes were yavusa Seaqaqa and yavusa Volivoli. We, the villagers of Naravuka, belong to the yavusa Seaqaqa, so there came a time when our elders were told to move to the new site.
“The yavusa Volivoli was in charge at Nacereyaga Village where our elders first lived before relocating to this current site, Naravuka.”
Naravuka was established by their ancestor Manase Weleweleca who was sent to clean the new village site of Naravuka so members of the yavusa Seaqaqa could relocate there.
Ms Samosi says while Weleweleca lived alone in the new Naravuka Village cleaning and preparing the site, he decided to travel to Vunivere in Seaqaqa.
“He was alone here and no one cooked his food, so he decided to go and bring his niece Vasemaca Bau to cook for him.
“The two lived in the new village area and then some men came from Nacereyaga to help out and build their own houses.
“It wasn’t easy in the beginning because while constructing their houses and preparing the village, they faced many challenges including tribal wars.”
But the Naravuka Village elders remained focused on establishing the new village and became successful. Ms Samosi recalls being told that not more than 10 houses were first built in the village.
“The two villages of Naravuka and Nacereyaga are located near the famous mountain of Caumudremudre where tribal wars happened a lot.
“So, in order to protect the women and children, the elders kept them far from the war area while the men were sent to fight for the vanua.
“Our parents used to tell us stories of how Caumudremudre was a famous spot for tribal wars in those days. We were told that people travelled from around the country to fight in this particular area and I believe it’s the location, which is central.”
Caumudremudre, she said was close to the Nacereyaga mountain range and could be accessed by those from Cakaudrove and Bua as they crossed mountains to fight against those in Macuata.
“Some people died there while some returned home alive. Stories reveal that when people visited the area, they could hear cries of pain.
“This happened in the olden days. We no longer hear that today because Christianity arrived and all these things are being spiritually battled.
“But those days were interesting.
“We hear stories from our grandfathers and how they used to respect the war place of Caumudremudre because there are still stories which talk of the exploits of our ancestors and they remain in our minds.”
