The elephant house evokes curiosity with its unique design, prompting questions about its purpose and whether people could reside in it. Characterized by its rounded yet sturdy walls, lofty ceilings, and arching windows, the structure transports visitors to another era. While some might find it unsettling, several of these distinctive buildings remain intact today.
Two years ago, The Sunday Times highlighted one such house located in Raiwaqa, claimed to have been constructed in the early 1950s. Recently, a visit to Naililili Parish in Rewa province revealed remnants of its elephant houses, still standing although dilapidated.
Iosevo Avimeleki Qionitoga, a resident of Waivou village in Rewa, has grown up learning about the history of these buildings. With experience in guiding tourists around Naililili, he shared insights into their past. According to Iosevo, the elephant houses in Naililili have been unoccupied for several years, having previously housed priests and bishops. He recalls that by the time he entered primary school around 30 years ago, the houses were predominantly empty.
“It was probably constructed by Marist Brothers who served in Naililili and contributed to educating local children,” Iosevo explained, noting that two elephant houses were built in this area. He detailed that the larger structure was inhabited by a bishop, while the other housed the priests. Following the departure of the brothers, sisters took over the education in the community.
Iosevo speculates that the distinctive design was intended to endure harsh weather conditions like cyclones. The first house featured two levels, which were used for storing fresh vegetables. “It had three bedrooms and a spacious living area, and I was lucky to have lived there with my wife and child alongside a priest for several years,” he reminisced.
The second elephant house stood nearby, divided into sections designated for the priests, while its kitchen was located outside. “I believe the priests primarily rested in the second house, visiting the larger one for other activities such as bathing,” he mentioned.
Although the precise date of construction is uncertain, Iosevo suggests it may have followed the completion of the Naililili cathedral in 1905, which still stands almost 119 years later. He revealed that villagers had used materials from the first house to renovate the cathedral, as both structures were constructed from vatuvuso (coral rock) covered in cement.
According to Iosevo, there were two additional elephant houses in Rewa, with discussions ongoing about potentially renovating or rebuilding the historical structures. However, he noted that such efforts would require specialized skills and materials, alongside adequate funding.
He emphasized the importance of educating villagers and visitors about the area’s history, which is crucial for preserving cultural identity. “This would include creating awareness about the significance of Naililili,” he added, explaining that one of its meanings in i-Taukei translates to “a place where something is to be hung,” along with a second interpretation related to the hanging of the bokola in the past.
Iosevo takes pride in his knowledge of the region’s heritage and folklore, hoping to encourage others in the village to recognize the value of sharing and learning about their history. The Naililili cathedral and the elephant houses are situated in Rewa, about a five-minute boat ride from Nasali Landing on Wainibokasi Road.
Fr. Dermot Hurley is believed to have initiated the construction of several elephant houses in Raiwaqa in the 1950s; however, his bishop commented that these structures did not possess remarkable shapes, describing them as resembling “an upturned jam jar.” Fr. Dermot replied, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
The website for the Columban community noted that Fr. Dermot eventually recognized that ctesiphon buildings (elephant houses), identifiable by their curved shapes and dome or shell roofs, did not effectively address Fiji’s housing challenges. “Savings only amounted to about 10 percent of the total cost of a conventional home in urban areas when considering the necessity for sewerage, plumbing, electricity, flooring, partitions, and ceilings,” stated the website. “Moreover, people preferred a traditional house, appreciating its better resale value. However, this ‘failure’ led to increased involvement in housing solutions.”