Fiji Sailors Go

Overboard For Their Women!

When the small trim motor vessel Parndarna was acquired in Australia recently for the Fiji trade, she was renamed with full traditional ceremonies and chris tened Komaiwai.

LATER, when she made her first visit to Somosomo on Fiji’s Taveuni Island, the Komaiwai’s sailors and the women of Somosomo took part in an ancient ceremony known as cere. (In other parts of the Fiji Group it is called rova.) The cere ceremony requires that when a canoe or ship reaches an island port for the first time, sailors from it must jump overboard and race ashore.

To add incentive, the womenfolk of the island usually gather on the beach to taunt the sailors, fleeing only when the men emerge from the water.

Chief prize for this event is award ed to the man who catches a woman carrying a tabua (whale’s tooth) on her person.

When the Komaiwai reached So mosomo, the women were waiting on the beach for the cere to begin.

They waved long banners of masi (tapa), shouted derisively at the sailors, and blew loudly on conch shells.

At the appropriate time, five sailors from the ship leapt into the sea, swam ashore and gave chase.

When they caught up with the fleeing females, they were enveloped in masi and anointed with oil.

The top picture shows seamen from the "Komaiwai" leaping into the sea for their swim ashore at Somosomo.

The captain brought the ship in as close as possible to the reefs to obviate any trouble with sharks.

Centre: The women and girls of Somosomo wait on the waterfront with their banners and conch shells.

Below (left): Ashore after a long swim, Epeli Matiasi of the "Komai wai" gives chase as the women run off with their banners. At right, hav ing caught a woman, Epeli is re warded by being annointed with oil and smothered with banners.

Photos: Rob Wright.