Villagers from Munia Island are joining forces to reclaim their ancestral home, Munia Island, situated off Vanuabalavu in Lau. Sekonaia Colati, a resident of the island and former chairperson of the Munia Trust, expressed the sentiment of the community, declaring, “We want our island back.” The island’s history is marked by their ancestors being forcibly displaced decades ago.
Recently, the four mataqali (clans) of Munia—Marama, Narocake, Nakie, and Saweilau—initiated fundraising efforts to repurchase the island, which was sold for four hundred pounds by the Tui Cakau in the 1800s. The Fijian government acquired the island in 1983 for $450,000 before returning ownership to the original families.
Mr. Colati explained the struggles their ancestors faced in navigating financial transactions with the government, highlighting a significant agreement made in 1989 that allowed the mataqali to buy back the island for $490,000. According to this agreement, the community was to repay the government through various means, including copra production and the harvesting of marine resources, while making annual payments of $14,000 over a period of 30 years. Unfortunately, the villagers faced challenges in maintaining these payments, leading to their current fundraising efforts.
Village headman Etuate Umu stated that each mataqali aims to raise $25,000, for a total of $250,000 needed to clear their arrears. He mentioned the financial difficulties faced by the community, emphasizing the lack of educational opportunities that have limited job prospects. However, there is hope as contributions from residents living in Viti Levu and overseas are bolstering their fundraising endeavors.
This story underscores the resilience of the Munia villagers and their commitment to reclaiming their heritage. Despite the challenges they face, their unity and determination to preserve their identity and land is inspiring. The community’s efforts to engage in annual fundraising events reflect a strong communal spirit and a hopeful outlook towards securing their ancestral land for future generations.
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