The descendants of the original inhabitants of Munia Island in Vanuabalavu, Lau, face ongoing challenges in securing ownership of their ancestral land, which was sold to an American for $400. Munia Island, covering approximately 5.3 kilometers with a coastline of 10 kilometers, was first settled by the ancestors of today’s Avea Island villagers.
More than 200 years ago, the forebears of the Avea community were forcibly removed from Munia due to a land transaction involving the Tui Cakau, Ratu Galea, and an American buyer. During a recent visit to Avea Island, village headman Etuate Umu discussed the community’s ongoing struggle to pay the Fijian Government $450,000 to reclaim Munia. The Government initially purchased Munia in 1983 for the same amount before reselling it to the local people.
Under the terms of a Land Buy Back Scheme established in 1989, the villagers agreed to pay off the $450,000 over a period of 30 years at $15,000 each year. Despite their efforts, they managed to pay only $30,000 in the first two years. Although they requested a reduction in yearly payments, the Government finally settled on a figure of $3,000, which the villagers still found difficult to meet.
Umu, aged 69, explained that many residents lack a stable source of income, which has made fulfilling the payment agreement a significant challenge. Over the 30 years, they have paid a total of $225,000. He noted that many elders were educated at Mavana Primary School and relied on support from relatives in Mavana village, leading to struggles for families who had to live away from their homes.
As children, they were often sent to live in Mavana for schooling, which hindered their educational prospects and job opportunities. The Government’s decision to sell back the island presented a burden rather than a relief, given the substantial cost involved.
Mr. Umu hopes to clear the remaining $225,000 by December this year, with each of the four mataqali (clans) on the island committed to contributing $25,000. He explained that villagers working outside Avea will also need to contribute $1,000 each.
While some villagers plan to return to Munia once payment is completed, a proposal has been made for the island to function as a state where villagers remain on Avea but work on Munia. Upon completing the payment, Munia will be transferred to the trustees as freehold land, with the stipulation that failure to meet financial obligations could result in the forfeiture of all payments made to the Government.
The Freehold Buyback Scheme, established in 1989, was designed to facilitate the purchasing of ancestral land that had previously been converted to freehold ownership.
The 118 villagers currently residing on Avea Island are descendants of the early migration from Vuna, Taveuni. Mr. Umu recounted how his ancestors traveled across to Munia Island, initially settling at Waitadrailagi and later moving to Delai Yatova. He also narrated the tribal warfare experiences of the 1860s, during which the Tui Cakau sold Munia Island to foreign settlers, forcing some of the original inhabitants to flee.
Umu shared his memories of working on Munia Island for foreign settlers until the 1970s when the island was eventually returned to the local people, albeit in a state of neglect. Today, the voices of the Munia descendants on Avea Island resonate through Fiji’s music scene, with several local bands representing their stories and culture.