Renovation work on Erenavula, the traditional residence of the Paramount Chief of Sabeto, has officially begun this week, Vanua o Betoraurau announced, marking the first major refurbishment of the chiefly home in more than 20 years. The community-led restoration is being carried out using customary knowledge and traditional practices under the direction of senior chiefs and elders.
The statement said men and women from the Yavusa e Vitu have been assigned specific roles to ensure the works proceed “with dignity, order and respect.” Traditional craftsmen from Namara in the Vanua o Waya Sewa are leading the construction work — a custodial responsibility that, the statement noted, was entrusted to them during the leadership of the late Na Momo Levu, Ratu Kaliova Mataitoga. Vanua o Betoraurau said Ratu Mataitoga’s vision and leadership continue to be remembered with deep respect as the project moves forward.
Preparatory work over the past two weeks saw young men from the chiefly village travelling into the highlands of Nausori to harvest gasau and sina reeds, essential materials for the house’s roofing and wall panelling. The gathering of these materials was conducted with the blessing of the Momo na Taukei Votuvotu and the Taukei Korovau of Tubenasolo, and the young men were hosted by highland villages during their stay, remaining away from their families for more than a week while carrying out duties in service to the Vanua and the Momo Levu.
Women from the Yavusa e Vitu played a central supporting role, assisting both those working in the highlands and preparations within the chiefly village itself. The statement emphasised the collective nature of the endeavour, with tasks distributed across the community to reflect customary responsibilities and to maintain traditional protocols during the restoration process.
The work began during Vula i Gasau, the traditional Fijian calendar season associated with the harvesting of reeds and the kulu, or breadfruit, a time regarded as auspicious for collecting and preparing the natural materials used in building and mending thatched houses. Vanua o Betoraurau said the timing aligns cultural practice with practical needs, ensuring the project is rooted in seasonal knowledge and the Vanua’s cycles.
Renovation is expected to continue for about a month, culminating in a day of thanksgiving, unity and celebration for the people of the Vanua. The ceremony will mark the completion of the refurbishment and reaffirm the communal ties and customary responsibilities that underpin chiefly leadership in Sabeto.
The Erenavula restoration represents a significant investment in preserving Sabeto’s cultural infrastructure and customary heritage. By drawing on traditional craftsmen, seasonal harvesting practices and broad community participation, the Vanua seeks to restore the residence not only as a physical structure but as a living symbol of chiefly authority and collective stewardship.