Villages in the Savatu district of Ba are currently experiencing a significant cultural shift, as traditional practices intersect with modern adaptations. Traditionally, drums of kerosene were offered during the solevu ceremony, but some villages are now opting for cooking pots, igniting a debate about the preservation of cultural heritage versus practical changes.
The Savatu district includes Lewa, Naiyaca, Nagatagata, Buyabuya, Marou, Koro, and Nadala villages, where the transition from kerosene to cooking pots was initiated by traditional leaders last year. This change was prompted by concerns regarding the quality of the kerosene being used, with reports of some drums being diluted with water.
While several villages have welcomed this shift, others are resisting, maintaining that the use of kerosene drums alongside the significant tabua remains vital to their traditional ceremonies. Timoci Ketewai from Nadala Village strongly believes that replacing kerosene with cooking pots is inappropriate. He stresses the importance of maintaining traditions, stating, “Solevu has always involved the contribution of either drums of kerosene or the tabua. This has been our practice for generations, and it should be preserved.”
In contrast, Sanita Lewavudi from Nadarivatu also champions the preservation of traditional practices. She criticizes the mixing of kerosene with water, viewing it as a diminishment of iTaukei values. “Our contributions should reflect our respect for tradition,” she expresses. “Bringing cooking pots without kerosene drums feels like a departure from our cultural identity.”