Daily Life In Ono-i-Lau, Fiji 50 Years Ago : Fishing: Part Two

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Fishing: Part Two

Ono-i-Lau, Fiji
Large group of younger men, women and children, catching stranded fish offshore. F-58

Copyright © 1970-2019, Northcountry Communications, Inc. These photos were taken on Ono-i-Lau by LInda Weld. All rights reserved. Photos & stories cannot be used without written permission. Contact Linda by email.

You Can Help, No Matter How Young You Are

Ono-i-Lau, Fiji
Young boy with a spear during communal fishing event. F-59

Looking For Fish

Ono-i-Lau, Fiji
A circular barricade of palm fronds, held by dozens of people, has made a fish trap. A young boy and girl check out the inside of the trap for fish. F-60

Successful Shoreside Catch

Ono-i-Lau, Fiji
Young man carries a batch of large fish, speared by boys, working together near the shore. F-61

Women Net Fish Along The Beach

Ono-i-Lau, Fiji
A large group of women march forward to catch small fish for supper. F-115

Group Of Women & Girls Scout The Shore

Ono-i-Lau, Fiji
Women check out the potential of the waters as they prepare to fish along the beach. F-108

Women & Girls Fish With Nets In Ono-i-Lau

Ono-i-Lau, Fiji
Fish that are netted are divided at the end of the day. F-117

Children Net Fish Beside A Takia

Ono-i-Lau, Fiji
Two girls and a boy search for fish along the shore. F-64

Young Children Learn To Catch Small Fish

Ono-i-Lau, Fiji
Boys and girls net fish for supper, under adult supervision. F-6

Background

Ono-i-Lau is, by far, the remotest community in Fiji. There are six tiny islands within the reef at Ono-i-Lau. On Onolevu, the largest island, there are three villages: Nukuni, Lovoni and Matokana. There's a fourth village, Doi, on another island. These photos were all taken on Onolevu.

From 1970 to 1972, Ono was reached by either copra boat or a larger boat, the Uluilakeba. Boats came very rarely, every few months, bringing mail and goods for the store, and taking back copra and other items, along with passengers. Tragically, the Uluilakeba sank in a storm, with Ono people on board, in December, 1973. The ship went down only a year after the last of these photographs was taken.

Although sugar, salt, tea, and other basic items entered the island through the store, much of what people ate came from the island itself: Shellfish, fish, octopus, land crabs, bananas, leafy vegetables, coconut, root crops, breadfruit… and, during special times, pork, chicken and beef.

In the early 1970's, copra was the cash crop. Many residents were Methodists, and attended the Methodist church. Onolevu District School, which ended in Class 8, had a large number of students. In October, 1970, Fiji gained independence from Great Britain.

Everyone in Ono walked everywhere; there were no vehicles. Sometimes older boys rode the family horses. All boats were classic takias, or outrigger canoes, in the Fijian tradition.

Fiji's indigenous people come from two different roots. Western Fiji is Melanesian. The islands in the eastern, or Lau group, are Polynesian. In some ways, Ono is almost Tongan. Its art, the physical appearance of its people, and even the language all tend toward the Polynesian.

For example, the Fijian "v" was not used in Ono. It was replaced by the very Polynesian "p." In Western Fiji, that most basic of foods, the pig, is known as "vuaka." But, in Ono, a pig is a "puaka."

About These Photos

When we went to Ono 50 years ago, we were very young and just married. The people of Onolevu taught us many things. We hope this portrait of local life reveals the warmth, capabilities, dignity and confidence that we saw in the people of Ono. We think these photos of everyday life show the lessons we learned:

1. Working together is important.

2. Division of labour gets the job done.

3. Make time for yourself, your family, and your community.

4. Men, women and children all have equal value.

5. Respect tradition.

Linda & Jeremy Weld

Peace Corps Volunteers, Fiji IV

Onolevu District School

Sitiveni Gaunavinaka, Headmaster

Ono-i-Lau, FijiLarge group of younger men, women and children, catching stranded fish offshore. F-58

Ono-i-Lau, FijiYoung boy with a spear during communal fishing event. F-59

Ono-i-Lau, FijiA circular barricade of palm fronds, held by dozens of people, has made a fish trap. A young boy and girl check out the inside of the trap for fish. F-60

Ono-i-Lau, FijiYoung man carries a batch of large fish, speared by boys, working together near the shore. F-61

Ono-i-Lau, FijiA large group of women march forward to catch small fish for supper. F-115

Ono-i-Lau, FijiWomen check out the potential of the waters as they prepare to fish along the beach. F-108

Ono-i-Lau, FijiFish that are netted are divided at the end of the day. F-117

Ono-i-Lau, FijiTwo girls and a boy search for fish along the shore. F-64

Ono-i-Lau, FijiBoys and girls net fish for supper, under adult supervision. F-6