Page 12 - Fiji Traveller Issue 10

September/Sepiteba:
Vula i Vavakada
This month, rods are staked to support yam (uvi) vines,
which wind around them as they grow (na vavakada). Dalo
and kawai (a sweet, yam-like crop) are also planted.
The following trees and plants are flowering: mango (maqo),
drala, buaniviti (frangipani), mokosoi (a fragrant flower), and
wadamu.
Rock cod (kawakawa) is still spawning.
In traditional times this would also be the time for the javelin-
throwing sport veitiqa, after the completion of planting.
The Golden Plover (dilio) is returning to on its annual
migration.

October/Okotova:
Vula i Balolo Lailai
Coastal communities (apart from those on Viti Levu) will
experience the arrival of balolo (edible sea worms), a Fijian
delicacy. The balolo rises in the morning and usually disappears
by 8am.
Cagolaya, a preventive herbal medicine that has tormented
Fijian children for generations and is used for coughs and colds,
matures —as does breadfruit and watermelons. Pea (avocado)
should be fruiting madly and for the next two months, kavika
(Malay apple) will be plentiful. The deciduous tavola (Polynesian
almond) is putting out fresh new leaves.
It is time to plant dalo, kawai and via kana. Daiga and
mokosoi, flowers used for their fragrance—either behind one’s
ear or infused in Fijian body oil—will also be showing off both
their beauty and scents.
Dilio (migratory birds) continue to arrive in Fiji this month.

November/Noveba:
Vula i Balolo Levu
Watch out for the second, mass appearance of the balolo
in November. Pineapple, mango, dawa, vutu and kavika are
in season. Tivoli (part of the yam family) is ready for digging. Illustrations: Albert Rolls
Misimisi, a scented plant, is ripe and bananas are plentiful.
Qari (mud crabs) are ‘full’ (of spawn) and there is an abundance
of walu (Spanish Mackerel).
November is also the beginning of the hurricane season,
which lasts until March/April.

The Fijian calendar is based on planting and fishing seasons, and is divided into 11 months rather than 12. 'Vula' means
'moon', and is also the Fijan word for ‘month’.

With thanks to Tokani: Friends of the Fiji Museum.

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