Manam Becomes Ai Sokula

Giving A Ship A Name

IF you have a mind for tradition, giving a Fijian name to a ship can involve quite a lot of effort.

Therefore, when W. R. Carpenter’s newly-acquired vessel Manam was Ai Sokula at Taveunh recently it was not just a matter of painting the name on bow and stern, f Ai Sokula is the name of the tending tribe of Cakaudrove Province ind two high chiefs of the province went to Somosomo for the cere nony. The ship’s owners were re nesented by Mr. W. G. Johnson, hanaging-director of the Fiji Com pany.

As Ai Sokula moved in to anchor, hose on the beach began the cere eremony—conch shells were blown, ieces of tapa hoisted on poles and /aved by the village women, and ilis beaten. Everyone on shore ailed “Selo, Selo” (Sail-O).

On the ship 14 members of the crew rent overboard and swam a quarter f a mile to shore, then chased a roman who held aloft a tabua (or hale’s tooth). This sounds like good aining for an Olympic pentathlon antest and by the time the winner ad captured the prize, he was near diaustion.

Mr. Johnson’s herald then went shore, presented a tabua, made ther gifts and a formal request for le name Ai Sokula. The tabua was :cepted and the request granted.

More ceremonies followed next ay before the chiefs went aboard to :name the vessel. Ten mats and n tabuas were presented to Mr. )hnson and a 20 ft long pennant taring the name Ai Sokula was fisted.

The Roko entertained a party om the ship for lunch; this was illowed by dances and the presenta -3n of roast pigs and dalo. Later, e people of Somosomo were invited i board where they were enter ined with afternoon tea and soft inks and taken for a short trip.

One of the ten tabuas will be itably inscribed and remain perm lently on the vessel.

There are simpler ways of nam g a vessel—but such ceremonial is ar to the hearts of Fijians.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blaikie, who ye married in St. Andrew’s Church England, South Brisbane, on Sep mber 13, will make their future •me at Lae, New Guinea, where e bridegroom is a patrol officer.