Fijian folklore is rich with stories about two ancient women, often referred to as Marama Rua or Yalewa Kalou, who possess supernatural abilities. These figures are deeply embedded in local mythology and continue to capture the imaginations of many in different villages. A notable tale comes from Tukavesi in the Natewa district of Cakaudrove, where the vanua of Nava’i traditionally holds the remnants of a legend involving two “yalewa tevoro,” or female devils. According to local lore, one of these women was caught in the highland forest and subsequently married to a man from the village.
Recently, a team from The Sunday Times ventured into the lush jungle above Tukavesi in Buca Bay to gather photos and insights about the historic site where the two women were allegedly captured. To document this story, the team presented traditional offerings, known as sevusevu, to Ravouvou, the village chief, seeking permission to explore the area and the home of the yalewa tevoro. Local history suggests that the ancestors of present-day Tukavesi villagers may have encountered these beings when their village was initially situated at Nakorotu, a few kilometers inland. The first settlement of the ancient people who later moved to Tukavesi was in a mountainous region called Navaki, where they constructed a formidable war fort. Over time, these people migrated downwards to Matanituvu, then to Nakorotu, and eventually settled at Tukavesi, located along the shores of Buca Bay.
According to Selesitino Vosayaco, the headman of Tukavesi, the village’s ancestors frequently faced the baffling theft of their banana and plantain crops. Frustrated by the ongoing disappearances, one villager decided to keep watch over the garden. While hiding, he overheard giggling and laughter, leading him to discover two women indulging in the stolen fruit before they fled into the forest, trailing laughter. Awestruck by their antics, he followed them until they vanished into the ground, at which point he marked the spot to lead the villagers.
The men of the village, following the trail left by the women, uncovered a crude burrow strewn with banana peels. Their digging soon unearthed the two women, who were terrified and pleaded for their freedom, even offering supernatural powers in exchange for their release, which the villagers declined. Ultimately, they took one of the women back to the village, while the other mysteriously disappeared.
The woman who was brought back eventually married a villager and gave birth to a son and a daughter, Sera Poleni and Te Para, who were said to embody both human and supernatural qualities. As they grew up, the siblings exhibited strange behaviors that intrigued and alarmed their community. According to Miriama, a village elder, Sera Poleni was particularly mysterious, demonstrating unique abilities such as catching fish barehanded and surviving extreme heat without injury.
However, the legacy of the yalewa tevoro’s bloodline may have come to an end. Reports from the village suggest that while Sera and her brother possessed extraordinary gifts, they faced challenges in social interactions. Tragically, their mother vanished one day, and Sera’s inability to care for her child led to her eventual disappearance. It is said that after her departure, the siblings remained childless, leading to the demise of their unique lineage, coinciding with the rise of Christianity in the area.
This story concludes with a tender connection to the past, as it reflects the enduring significance of mythology in Fijian culture. The legends live on, carried through generations, shaping the identities and experiences of the people in Tukavesi.