CONTEXT
T
he findings of the study are presented in the context of Fijian village structures and roles. Traditionally, each village is made up of: ➜➜ one or multiple tribes (Yavusa); ➜➜ each Yavusa is made up of one or multiple clans (Mataqali); and ➜➜ each Mataqali is made up of multiple families (Tokatoka).
FIGURE 1: Traditional Structure and Leadership TIKINA & VILLAGE CHIEF (tui) VANUA / TIKINA
KORO (Village)
TRIBE: Turaga ni Yavusa YAVUSA
YAVUSA
CLAN: Turaga ni Mataqali MATAQALI
MATAQALI
MATAQALI
MATAQALI
MATAQALI
MATAQALI
MATAQALI
Turaga = Chief
Sauturaga = Herald
Matanivanua = Spokesmen
Bete = Priests
Bati = Warriors
Mataisau = Carpenters
Gonedau = Fishermen
TOKATOKA
TOKATOKA
FAMILY: Liuliu ni Tokatoka TOKATOKA
TOKATOKA
TOKATOKA
TOKATOKA
TOKATOKA
“Fijians tend to embrace the system overall even if they are sceptical of the chief currently in power; they understand that vakaturaga (respect for elders/men) is the proper way to behave and thus chiefs and elders must be respected. For many rural villagers, the traditional system of governance is better understood than the government structures”.1
1 Clark, Paul David, "Social Capital and Vanua: Challenges to Governance Development in a Community-Based Natural Resource Management Project in Cuvu Tikina, Fiji Islands" (2008). Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers. Paper 894. Pp. 38.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STUDY
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