Tupou Bulai Muriwaqa, a talented musician from Nakorovou, Dreketi, has turned her passion for singing into a community initiative by founding the ManaVia Group, inspired by the now-defunct choir, Pasifika Voices. Under the guidance of Dr. Igelese Ete, Muriwaqa’s journey in music began in 2010 when she performed with Pasifika Voices, and she has since taken steps to cultivate talent within her village.
The ManaVia Group, formed four years ago to coincide with Global Recycling Day, includes youths primarily from Nakorovou, alongside a few friends from Namosi and Tailevu. Muriwaqa emphasizes the importance of community engagement, stating, “Some of them are school dropouts, some of them are university students, and what inspires me from Pasifika Voices, I tend to create in my own village — own community.”
Further expanding her music initiative, Muriwaqa collaborated with her elder brother Soko Loga to merge ManaVia with another choir, Pasifika Prima Voce, to form PrimanaVia. This new collective represented Fiji at the World Choir Games last year, showcasing a blend of their diverse musical styles, with Muriwaqa focusing on traditional and iTaukei songs and Loga bringing classical and opera influences.
Despite the success, Muriwaqa acknowledged the challenges she faces in encouraging young dropouts to join the group. She is determined to inspire them by demonstrating that leaving school does not equate to the end of their aspirations. She noted, “Trying to inspire them that drop-out is not the end of their life, for them to be encouraged about their talent in singing or dancing.”
Funding remains a hurdle, particularly for transportation to gigs, yet Muriwaqa believes showcasing their talents in free performances can still be beneficial. The choir currently rehearses four times a week, regularly participating in government events and recently performing at the Fiji Fringe Festival.
Muriwaqa urges young people to recognize their God-given talents. “If you have the talent of singing or dancing, try to create,” she encourages. Through her leadership, both the ManaVia Group and PrimanaVia serve as platforms for the youth to harness their potential and passion for music, fostering a hopeful community spirit.
The emphasis on nurturing young talents echoes sentiments from fellow artists like Aisea Buliruarua, a former member of Paradise Roots, who also highlights the supportive nature of family and community in guiding budding musicians in Fiji. Both Muriwaqa and Buliruarua exemplify the vibrant community support that is vital for the growth and recognition of Fijian music on a global stage.
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