Fijian mythology tells the story of two ancient women, often referred to as Marama Rua or Yalewa Kalou, who possess supernatural powers. These figures have been integral to local legends for generations and remain prominent in the cultural narrative of various villages. One such story is preserved in the village of Tukavesi, located in the Natewa district of Cakaudrove. Historically, the vanua of Nava’i has been responsible for safeguarding this tale about two “yalewa tevoro” (female devils) who were captured in the highland forests and one was married to a local man.
Recently, a team from The Sunday Times journeyed into the dense jungle above Tukavesi to photograph the area where these women were allegedly caught and gather insights from village elders. During their visit, they paid their respects to Ravouvou, the village chief, to gain permission for their exploration and storytelling. According to local lore, the ancestors of present-day Tukavesi residents may have first encountered these beings when their village was situated at Nakorotu, several kilometers inland from the coast. Initially, the ancient inhabitants of this region established themselves high in the mountains at Navaki, where they built a formidable war fort, before gradually migrating towards the sea.
According to village headman Selesitino Vosayaco, the residents at Nakorotu often experienced puzzling disappearances of bananas (jaina) and plantains (vudi) from their gardens. Frustrated by this mystery, one villager decided to keep watch. He soon overheard giggles and voices of women approaching and was shocked to discover two women joyfully consuming the stolen fruit. After they disappeared into the forest, he marked the spot of their vanishing with a stick and rushed back to the village to report his finding. This led the village leaders to organize a search party.
The men followed the trail until they found the mark left in the ground, where they dug and uncovered crude burrows filled with fruit peels. Fearful cries of the captured women were heard as the men approached, whereupon the yalewa tevoro pleaded for their release, promising supernatural powers. Despite their offers, the villagers, led by the turaga ni yavusa, decided to take one of the women back to the village for marriage.
The woman eventually wed a local man and bore a daughter and son, named Sera Poleni and Te Para, who exhibited extraordinary abilities. While growing up, they displayed strange behaviors that bewildered the other villagers. Tales about Sera Poleni became well-known, describing her bizarre habits, such as catching fish barehanded or eating raw crabs. Her brother had the ability to withstand extreme temperatures, using his hands in boiling pots without injury.
Over time, stories indicated that despite their remarkable powers, Sera Poleni and her brother struggled with social interactions. Tragically, their mother disappeared one day, reportedly after an argument with her husband about their child’s care. Following the incident, she vanished from the family home, and the siblings’ lineage unfortunately did not continue, as both remained childless. This may have also coincided with the spread of Christianity, which diminished the traditional beliefs of the community.
The tales of Sera Poleni resonate deeply within the communities surrounding Tukavesi, where history and mythology continue to intertwine. The village, accessible by a three-hour local bus ride from Savusavu, features essential services such as a hospital, schools, and a police station, while its surrounding landscapes are steeped in rich cultural narratives and folklore.