Fijian folklore tells the story of two ancient women endowed with supernatural abilities, known as Marama Rua or Yalewa Kalou. These figures are embedded in local mythology and continue to capture the imaginations of many in the community. In the village of Tukavesi, within the district of Natewa in Cakaudrove, a tale persists about two “yalewa tevoro” (female devils) who were once trapped in the dense highland forest. To explore this legend, The Sunday Times team visited the rugged jungles surrounding Tukavesi to take photographs and gather insights from village elders.
Prior to the visit, the team presented a sevusevu to Ravouvou, the village chief, to gain permission to recount the tale and visit sites significant to the story. According to local accounts, it is believed that ancestors of the current Tukavesi villagers first encountered these beings when the village was situated at Nakorotu, several kilometers inland from the shore. The original settlement was established high in the mountains at a site called Navaki, where a fortified war structure was built. As time went on, the inhabitants moved downward to Matanituvu, then to Nakorotu, and finally settled at the coastal area of Tukavesi on Buca Bay.
In recounting the legend, headman Selesitino Vosayaco shared that men from Nakorotu faced mysterious disappearances of their banana and plantain crops, leading to frustration and anger. To tackle the issue, one villager volunteered to keep an eye on the fields. While concealed, he heard laughter and noticed two women gleefully taking bananas and plantains, enjoying their theft before vanishing into the forest. Astonished by what he witnessed, the man marked the spot where the women disappeared and hurried back to relay the story to the villagers. The village leader instructed all able men to follow the trail.
The men ventured into the forest and soon unearthed a burrow littered with the remnants of stolen fruits. As they got closer, they overheard one of the women warning the other about being discovered. Eventually, the women were caught, terrified and pleading for their lives. They promised the villagers supernatural powers, but after weighing their offers, the men were unmoved. Instead, the village chief decided that they would take one of the women back to the village for breeding purposes. In the ensuing chaos, one woman vanished, while the other was brought back.
This woman eventually married a villager and bore two children: a son and a daughter, who inherited their mother’s mystical qualities. Villager Pio Manoa recounted how Sera Poleni and her brother exhibited extraordinary powers that puzzled the villagers. Manoa elaborated that Sera was known for her odd behaviors, such as catching fish barehanded, while her brother seemed unaffected by extreme heat.
While Sera and her brother possessed exceptional abilities, they seemingly struggled with social interactions. Tragically, their mother disappeared one day, and account narratives suggest that the siblings might have faced difficulties from the start, including an unfortunate incident involving their neglected child. Following a confrontation, the mother expressed her disdain for traditional responsibilities before mysteriously vanishing again.
Investigation into the siblings’ legacy reveals a somber end; both were infertile and died without heirs, leading to the extinction of their extraordinary bloodline. This decline may also coincide with the rise of Christianity, which overshadowed traditional beliefs.
The tale highlights the rich tapestry of Fijian folklore and its enduring power in the cultural consciousness. Tukavesi is located a three-hour bus ride from Savusavu town and serves as a government center in the Buca Bay peninsula, equipped with essential services and infrastructure.