What is an elephant house? Is it an igloo or a dome? Can it serve as living quarters? These questions often come to mind when someone encounters an elephant house for the first time.
Characterized by its curved, robust walls, tall ceilings, and arched windows, entering one feels reminiscent of a bygone era. While some may find these structures a bit unsettling, several of these buildings continue to stand today.
Two years ago, The Sunday Times highlighted a uniquely-shaped house located in Raiwaqa, which reportedly dates back to the early 1950s. Recently, a visit was made to Naililili Parish in the Rewa province to explore the dilapidated remnants of its elephant houses.
Iosevo Avimeleki Qionitoga, a resident of Waivou village in Rewa, often shares stories about these historical buildings as he guides tourists in Naililili. The former chairman of Naililili’s church committee noted that the distinct elephant houses have remained unoccupied for years.
Iosevo recalled that during his primary school days around 30 years ago, the structures were almost entirely empty, despite previously housing priests and bishops. He speculated that the Marist Brothers, who contributed to education in the area, built these houses.
He mentioned two elephant houses in Naililili, with the larger one designated for the bishop and the smaller for the priests. After the brothers’ tenure, sisters assumed educational responsibilities.
Discussing the building design, Iosevo suggested the shape was likely intended to endure severe weather conditions like cyclones. The first house featured two levels for storage of fresh produce and was well-equipped with three bedrooms and a sizable living room. Iosevo fondly remembered living there with his wife and child alongside a priest for several years.
The second house was situated nearby and was partitioned for the priests, while the kitchen was placed outside. He believed the priests utilized the smaller house for rest and used the larger one for other activities, such as bathing.
Though the exact construction date of these neglected houses remains uncertain, Iosevo surmised it was likely after the Naililili cathedral was completed in 1905. Almost 119 years later, the second elephant house still stands. Villagers had previously salvaged materials from the first house for renovation projects in the cathedral.
Both the elephant houses and the Naililili cathedral were constructed using vatuvuso (coral rock) encased in cement. According to Iosevo, there were also two additional elephant houses in Rewa.
Although discussions have taken place regarding the renovation or reconstruction of these historical buildings, he noted that this would necessitate specific expertise and materials, and securing adequate funding is another challenge.
Improving the houses could enhance visits to the village. Iosevo emphasized the importance of educating both villagers and visitors about local history as it shapes identity and preserves heritage, the significance of Naililili, which translates in i-Taukei to “a place where something is to be hung.”
He also referenced the potential meanings behind the name, which could involve traditional practices or events from the past. Interestingly, Iosevo mentioned that the first rugby ball was believed to have been kicked in Naililili, Lomanikoro, Rewa.
Proud of his knowledge of local heritage, Iosevo hopes that villagers and leaders will recognize the importance of sharing and learning about their history. The Naililili cathedral and the elephant houses are located in Rewa, accessible by a short five-minute boat ride from Nasali Landing on Wainibokasi Road.
Fr. Dermot Hurley is credited with the construction of several elephant houses in Raiwaqa beginning in the 1950s. However, a bishop remarked that these structures lacked impressive designs, comparing them to “an upturned jam jar.” In response, Fr. Dermot quipped, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
The Columban website noted that Fr. Dermot later recognized that the ctesiphon buildings, known for their arched shapes and dome roofs, were not a solution for Fiji’s housing issues. Savings from these constructions were a mere 10 percent compared to typical urban houses when considering necessary features like sewerage, plumbing, and electricity. Ultimately, the public preferred traditional houses with better resale values, which led to Fr. Dermot’s continued involvement despite the initial setbacks.