Namuka villagers turn screw palm leaves into a steady lifeline, with suluk weaving a path to income and resilience
In Lakeba’s Namuka district, the humble leaves of the screw palm, known locally as suluk, have long been more than greenery—they are a dependable source of income for many families in Lakeba Village. Village headman Apenisa Kolivuso says the practice has been handed down through generations and continues to support households when extra income is needed.
At the Labasa market, each string of suluk leaves fetches about 8 to 9 dollars. A family can prepare 30 to 40 strings in a week, which translates to more than 240 dollars. The earnings, while modest on a per-string basis, accumulate to become a significant contribution to household finances, especially in months when fishing or other income sources are scarce.
“Sometimes, when we can’t go out to fish, we turn to collecting suluka leaves. It’s good money, but it requires patience because of the process. It has been assisting families and our village for generations,” Kolivuso said.
The work is spread across the Namuka district, where elders and women typically spend the morning gathering the leaves and return by midday or evening, brushing through areas where the plants grow and carrying them back to the village. “This proves that everyone can earn if they have the will to do so. It also keeps youths and elders engaged in productive work, helping reduce crime in our communities,” Kolivuso added.
For generations, suluka leaves have been more than just a plant; they have been a lifeline—sustaining families and strengthening the Namuka community’s resilience.
Broader context shows a similar story across Fiji, where local producers and market vendors harness traditional knowledge and family collaboration to sustain livelihoods. In Suva, market vendors like Peniana Matai report that a good day can bring in up to 300 dollars, underscoring how market-based entrepreneurship complements rural farming. Another trader, Tokasa Wati, highlights the potential of farming itself, with peak-season earnings reaching thousands of dollars weekly from a four-acre operation. Vendors also in Nausori and Nadi markets illustrate how family teamwork and steady market access help stabilize income, even as prices fluctuate seasonally.
What this means for Namuka and beyond is a blueprint for community resilience: leveraging local resources, maintaining intergenerational knowledge, and exploring pathways to enhance market access and sustainability. Opportunities exist to support value-added processing, better harvesting and drying methods, and cooperative approaches that increase bargaining power and reduce volatility.
In a broader sense, the suluk practice in Namuka echoes a hopeful narrative across Fiji’s rural and island communities—that traditional livelihoods, when coupled with market access and community cooperation, can provide steady income, reduce vulnerability, and keep communities engaged and hopeful for the future.
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