Litia links old ties

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Litia Legalega of Nawaisomo Village in Naitasiri. Picture: ANA MADIGIBULI

BEFORE marrying into Nawaisomo Village in Naitasiri to the vanua of Wailevu, 76-year-old Litia Legalega already had an embedded connection to her husband’s village.

Ms Legalega’s family members are direct descendants of the people of Wailevu who’s mataqali (clan) had to leave their yavusa (tribe) to form a different tribe in Nasalia Village in Wainimala, Naitasiri during the daku ni kuila period (before Fiji was ceded to Britain).

Her clan alongside another had to come together to complete the new Nasalia tribe (consisting of five clans) which she says is the vakacavanibuke.

She said, even before marrying her husband she knew she had a strong connection to Nawaisomo where the people of Wailevu currently reside today.

“I love sharing that story because it was passed down from my grandfather to my father and to me. I want people to know about where we’re from and the connection I have to my late husband and his family,” she said.

“Growing up in Nasalia Village I was fortunate to have been educated at Nakorosule District School back in 1950 where I started school at the age of six. I attended school with students from around the district and everyone knew each other well.”

She said she can clearly remember growing up and staying with her aunt, and her uncle who was a doctor at Vunidawa Hospital.

“I stayed with them for a while until my father decided to bring me back home. I was saddened at the fact of having to leave but returning to the village allowed me to learn things that I’ve missed out while I was away,” she said.

“When I was 20 years old I was approached traditionally to marry a man from Nawaisomo Village and I saw that as a sign to connect my past and present.

“I happily married my husband and moved to Nawaisomo where I got to know more about the origin of my family.”

She said she had six children with her late husband, one of which they lost at the age of eight.

“It was tough losing a child but we move on and continue to live our lives,” she said.

She said today she still goes out to gather firewood, farming, collects her voivoi (pandanus leaves for weaving), weaves mats and participates in village activities. “Tending to house chores is a must for me before tending to other chores outside,” she said.

“When I complete the house work I make sure I go to collect firewood and I have time to go to the farm. I also weave mats but I don’t like to sell it to people.”

She said she prefers not to sell her mats for money instead exchange for other things with relatives, things she might need at home.

“I have learned a lot from the Soqosoqo ni Marama (Women’s Club) in the Village and it has allowed me to grow further and I’m grateful for the village women’s lives,” she said.

Despite losing her husband, Ms Legalega still carries out her husband’s responsibility today to the vanua and the church in Nawaisomo Village.

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