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40-553: It has a population of around 2,100 in eight villages, the most important of which is the capital Tubou which lies in the island's south. Near Tubou is the village of Levuka ; not to be confused with its namesake – Fiji's old capital – Levuka on Lakeba is home to a fishing tribe whose ancestors came from Bau Island . Another significant village is Nasaqalau , located in the northern part of Lakeba. Situated at 18.20° South and 178.80° East, Lakeba has an irregular oval shape. About 9 kilometers long and 8 kilometers wide, it

80-449: A single bone was found, probably referrable either to the Viti Levu scrubfowl ( M. amissus ) or the pile-builder megapode ( M. molistructor ); the latter species occurred on Tonga and New Caledonia , while the former, which lived on Viti Levu and perhaps Kadavu of the western group of Fiji, possibly survived to modern times. Considering that only one bone was found and that M. alimentum

120-487: A thousand years ago. Large enough to house 2,500 people (more than the total population of the island), the fortress is believed to have been built as a bulwark against Tongan invaders. The inhabitants of Nasaqalau are famous for the ability of one of their clans to call sharks from the sea. This clan originated in the village of Wainikeli on the island of Taveuni . On Lakeba was born famous chief Delailoa , son of Kalouyalewa , who went on Lakeba. Copra production

160-473: Is a Tongan group dance where the performers are largely standing still and make gestures with their arms only. It is considered as the national dance of Tonga and part of the intangible human heritage . It is the ideal dance at formal occasions, like the birthday of the king or the opening of a church. The current lakalaka seems to be quite equal to the ancient meʻelaufola (outstretched arms dance), of which descriptions exist from early European explorers, but

200-570: Is a hitherto unknown species. These might indeed be found on Lakeba only. Interesting non-endemic plants found on Lakeba are the endangered Aglaia saltatorum and the rare (though not endangered) Burckella richii . In 1999-2001 the first Fijian record of Macropiper timothianum outside the large northwestern islands was made on Lakeba, as well as the first records for Fiji of Suicide Tree ( Cerbera odollam ) and Garuga floribunda . Whether Canarium vanikoroense , otherwise known in Fiji only from

240-582: Is a rather rare species on Lakeba. At least three species formerly found on Lakeba are now completely extinct : the Lakeba imperial pigeon ( Ducula lakeba ) might also have occurred on Viti Levu and perhaps on the Tongan islands of ʻEua , Foa and Lifuka . If so, it probably was generally widespread in western Polynesia , but until now it is only known with certainty from Lakeba and Aiwa. A hitherto undescribed Gallirallus rail also inhabited Lakeba and Aiwa in

280-422: Is about 4% of Lakeba's total land surface. A reforestation programme has seen the planting of Lakeba's hills (formerly partially denuded by deforestation ) with Caribbean pine ( Pinus caribea ) trees. The climate of Lakeba is generally humid , with a wetter summer and a drier winter. The average annual precipitation is somewhat over 2,000 mm as measured at Tubou , but average monthly precipitation in

320-417: Is buried in the village of Tubou, as are Enele Ma'afu (1816–1881) – a Tongan - Fijian warlord who conquered much of Fiji in the 19th century – and Fiji's first modern statesman Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna (1888–1958). Lakeba lies on a historical faultline between Fiji and Tonga , and Tongan influence is seen in many aspects of Lakeban culture. Lakeban architecture features rounded houses rather than

360-403: Is circumscribed by a total shoreline of 32 kilometers. The island, which has a maximum altitude of 219 meters, has a core of andesitic volcanic rock of Miocene age, with raised coral rock around it. The limestone lies bare in places, forming karst and – particularly on the north and north-west coasts – cliffs up to 76 meters high; the overall area taken up by bare limestone

400-736: Is dominated by dicots ; it can be classified as follows, progressing from the peak to the shore: Plants found on Lakeba that are endemic to Fiji are Alangium vitiense , Buchanania vitiensis , Connarus pickeringii , Davallia solida var. fejeensis , Diospyros vitiensis var. longisepala , Dysoxylum tenuiflorum , Elatostema tenellum , Eragrostis scabriflora , Ficus fulvo-pilosa , Ficus masonii , Geissois ternata , Geniostoma uninervium , Glochidion seemannii , Homalium pallidum , Maniltoa floribunda , Melicope cucullata , Melochia vitiensis , Myristica gillespieana , Phaleria pubiflora , Polyalthia laddiana and Psychotria cf. pickeringii . Plants tentatively identified as

440-454: Is likely that they formerly occurred on Lakeba too. The former upland forest was largely cleared after the initial settlement to make room for agriculture ; only about 5 km (1.9 sq mi) of it remain. A total 40% of Lakeba's surface is used for cultivation of Caribbean pine ( Pinus caribaea ), the rare cycad ("sago palm") Cycas seemannii , coconut palms ( Cocos nucifera ) and other crops . The remaining vegetation of Lakeba

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480-578: Is the most important economic activity on Lakeba. There is also a coconut mill four kilometers outside Tubou. Tourism is of lesser importance in Lakeba than in some other parts of Fiji. It was major trading partner with Moala as part of a larger inter-island trading network especially for tapa mats . Due to the extensive and long-lasting settlement, the original ecosystem on Lakeba has been strongly altered. Terrestrial mammals , not originally native, have been introduces as livestock or stowaways, and today

520-451: The haka (dance movements). Nevertheless, there are lakalaka which have become so famous that they can generally be used at any occasion. Among them several made by Queen Sālote , like Takafalu , Nailasikau , Sāngone , ʻOtu langi , Tuaikaepau , and so forth. The dance movements of men and women are different. Most of the time the women make small steps to the left and right only, and their arm movements are small and fluid. Nevertheless,

560-438: The slaty monarch ( Mayrornis lessoni ) which is endemic to Fiji. Two honeyeaters , the endemic orange-breasted myzomela ( Myzomela jugularis ) and the widespread eastern wattled honeyeater ( Foulehaio carunculatus carunculatus ), have adapted well to human settlement and are rather common in the coconut plantations. The collared lory ( Phigys solitarius ), endemic to Fiji in modern times, also frequents this habitat, but

600-461: The Fijian endemics Barringtonia seaturae , Citronella vitiensis , Cyathocalyx insularis and Elaeocarpus storckii grow on Lakeba, but whether it is really these species requires confirmation. None of the described endemic species occurs exclusively on this island, but there is an unidentified Syzygium similar to Syzygium gracilipes and another member of this genus that almost certainly

640-500: The arm movements are farther away from the body ( laufola , outstretched arms) than for example with the māʻuluʻulu . The movements of the men are wilder and more vigorous. In addition to small steps, they may at times turn around, sit down or even lie down. In any case, how different their haka on first glance may be, both men and women interpret the words of the songs, but in a symbolic, allusive way as so typical for Tongan dance. The dancers are standing in one or more rows, depending on

680-441: The best dancer of the male and female group respectively, the mālie taha . All the other positions can be filled up at the wish of the dancemaster. It is for a dance group a high honour if a prince or princess or noble will participate as vāhenga. This can only be done on occasions where the king is the guest of honour, like his birthday or the centenary of a church and the like. Because all Tongan dances, especially formal ones like

720-416: The best, always dress in black, as whether they still mourn for Tukuʻaho (see below) and his son Tungī Mailefihi , the consort of Queen Salote Tupou III . Also worn is a tekiteki a little bunch of chicken feathers stuck in the hair. For the women the feathers are usually glued to one or two small sticks, pointing up, while for the men it is a soft tuft hanging down. Especially the women's tekiteki enhances

760-465: The cave. It is adjoined by Qara Bulu , once used as a prison in times of tribal war. A third cave, Koro ni Vono , was once used as a place of banishment for tuberculosis patients, who were left there to die. Other notable caves include the Tubou Cave , of interest to geologists , and Qara ni Puka where many remains of extinct birds have been found. Lakeba is known as a chiefly island, being

800-431: The dance was forbidden by the missionaries for being too 'heathen'. This was confirmed in the 1850 code of King Tāufaʻāhau Tupou I . Notably, an article to that effect was absent from the 1862 code, although it was reinserted by 1885. In any case, none of these laws specified exactly what was meant by 'heathen dance'. There are reports of some huge dance festivals during these times, and no reports of any arrests. Admittedly,

840-588: The dance. Often an either white or black tupenu with shirt and a taʻovala loukeha , although this all may be largely covered by a sisi an ornamental girdle of leaves and fragrant flowers and/or a manafau a grassskirt, but in reality made of hibiscus fibers. In addition likewise made anklets, wristlets and neck garlands are worn too. The dancers from the village of Kanokupolu , however, always perform in their traditional folaʻosi , an about 2 meter piece of ngatu . The dancers of Tatakamotonga , who often perform last on big occasions, because they are claimed to be

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880-399: The end becoming wilder and wilder, while the tempo of the beat goes up as well. Everybody gets excited, both the performers and the public. The persons in the middle of the front row, on the division line between the two gender are known as the vāhenga (central performer). These are the persons with the highest rank of the group, often a prince or princess. The one who is perceived as really

920-568: The home island of the chiefly Vuanirewa clan, which is based in Tubou . The head of this clan takes the title of Tui Nayau , and is the Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands. The last Tui Nayau was Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara (1920–2004); he was the first Prime Minister of Fiji and second President of Fiji , and the most durable figure of Fijian politics for more than three decades. Ratu Mara

960-533: The island has horses , pigs , cattle , dogs , cats , and Polynesian ( Rattus exulans ) as well as black rats ( R. rattus ). Among land birds, bird species disappeared from Lakeba in prehistoric times, probably after the upland forests were largely cleared away; introduced rats as well as hunting probably also contributed to their demise. Others managed to adapt to the alteration of habitat by humans, though they are generally not as common as on Aiwa where there has been no significant deforestation . For

1000-412: The lakalaka are in fact a deference to the chiefs. Tongan society is very stratified. Everybody has a particular rank. The royal family on top, the chiefs below it, and so forth. One cannot pay homage to someone lower in rank. Therefore, people higher in rank than the guest of honour at a particular celebration cannot dance. A king or queen can never dance. The normal dress of the dancers is as formal as

1040-751: The large islands, occurs on Lakeba remains to be verified. Tubou Tubou is a village on the Fijian island of Lakeba , with a population of about 2,000. One of eight villages on Lakeba, it is considered the capital of the Lau Islands , being the seat of the Vuanirewa clan, a powerful chiefly family from which Fiji 's longtime Prime Minister and President , Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara (1920–2004) and one of Fiji 's famous cricketers I. L. Bula (born 1921), hailed. The Tongan - Fijian warlord Enele Ma'afu , who conquered much of eastern and northern Fiji in

1080-408: The left, the women to the right, the two groups passing through each other, until their order is reversed. At the next stanza they move back to their original positions. The dance normally starts with the singing of the first stanza by both dancers and chorus, which is a deference to the god, the king and the chiefs of the country. On the next stanza dancing starts. First calmly and subdued, but toward

1120-590: The mid-19th century, is buried in Tubou, as are Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna (1888–1958), Fiji's first modern statesman, and Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. Many early Christian missionaries are also buried in Tubou. 18°13′48″S 178°48′0″W  /  18.23000°S 178.80000°W  / -18.23000; -178.80000 This article about a geographical location in Fiji is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Lakalaka The lakalaka (walking briskly)

1160-451: The most important, either the male or female vāhenga usually is also wearing a uniform different from the rest. The other vāhenga is then dressed the same as the other performers. The two last positions, that is at the very ends of the frontrow, the fakapotu , are also reserved for high-ranking persons. The second positions, beside the vāhenga are known as tāʻofi vāhenga and are for the next ranking persons. The third positions are filled with

1200-478: The most part, the avifauna of Lakeba is more similar to that of Samoa and Tonga than to that of the main group of Fiji . Quite commonly seen are the white-rumped swiftlet ( Collocalia spodiopygia ), Polynesian starling , ( Aplonis tabuensis , either the West Fijian subspecies vitiensis or the subspecies tabuensis from the southern Lau group and Tonga), Vanikoro flycatcher ( Myiagra vanikorensis ), and

1240-405: The number of participants. 2 dozen per row is about fine. The men to the right, the women to the left as seen from the public. Behind them the chorus; the lakalaka is a sung dance, there is none or very little instrumental accompaniment. Sometimes in the middle of some lakalaka there are stanzas with a different type of lyrics and music than the rest, called the sipa . During the sipa the men move to

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1280-413: The past; as this bird was flightless it represents an endemic species. The consumed scrubfowl ( Megapodius alimentum ), a species rather widely distributed throughout Fiji and Tonga, also occurred on Lakeba and Aiwa in the past; as scrubfowl were widely transported across islands by settlers, this species might have been brought here by humans, but altogether this is not too likely. However, on Aiwa

1320-613: The pre-missionary pōmeʻe (night dances), after which couples disappeared into the bushes, did not occur anymore. The lakalaka as it is known nowadays is usually accredited to have been invented towards the end of the 19th century by a high chief, who was a Methodist preacher as well: Tukuʻaho (1858—1897), from Tatakamotonga . Considering that the dance had never stopped being practiced, it would probably be better to say that he revitalised it. Tuku used missionary-approved nursery rhymes and added some simple gestures and steps. People agreed, and they came with their own suggestions, which were quite

1360-443: The same as those of the not-yet-forgotten meʻelaufola. Thus, a new dance was born, but still retained many of its original characteristics, and was approved by the missionaries. The lakalaka is a living dance in the sense that new compositions are still daily made. Often when a celebration is coming up, a punake (poet) will write the lyrics to the occasion, assign music to the stanzas from a pool of typical tunes and then choreograph

1400-533: The species does not occur there today, but unless more bones are found it is not sure that it had a self-sustaining population on this island rather than being merely an occasional visitor. Peale's imperial pigeon ( Ducula latrans ), the Southwest Pacific peregrine falcon ( Falco peregrinus nesiotes ) and the Fiji shrikebill ( Clytorhynchus vitiensis ) breed on much smaller Aiwa but not on Lakeba; though no bones of these species have been found here to date, it

1440-418: The square-ended ones elsewhere in Fiji. The Lakeban dialect of Fijian also shows Tongan influence. Tongan hymns are popular in polotu (an evening church service), and Tongan clothing styles are reflected in the mats tied around the waist on formal occasions. Tongan traditional dances called lakalaka are also popular. Archaeological excavations in the 1990s discovered a massive fortress, built around

1480-456: The winter months – June, July and August – is only around 80 mm, and there can be large differences in rainfall between years. The village of Nasaqalau is noted for a number of caves , the most famous being Oso Nabukete , also known as the Pregnant Women's Cave. According to legend, a woman attempting to hide her pregnancy will not be able to escape through the mouth of

1520-424: Was formerly native to at least some islands in Fiji, as it occurred on Tonga to the east and Vanuatu to the west. In addition, there remains a batch of songbird bones from several species that have not been identified; these might be of birds not found on Lakeba anymore but it is not too likely that they contain any entirely extinct forms. Also found on Aiwa was a single bone of a Porzana rail. Apparently this

1560-483: Was numerous on Lakeba and presumably also Aiwa, it may well be that the second Megapodius species was indeed imported as food by Polynesians and never had a self-sustaining population; in that regard it may be noted that unlike M. alimentum , M. amissus was a weak flier or even flightless. Parrot bones found on Lakeba might be of the Oceanic eclectus parrot ( Eclectus infectus ); biogeography suggests that this species

1600-415: Was yet another distinct species, and if so it is likely to have occurred on Lakeba too. But until more material turns up and is studied, nothing can be said with certainty, particularly in respect of the fact that the white-browed crake ( P. cinerea ) and the spotless crake ( P. tabuensis ) formerly occurred on Lakeba. Finally, a single bone of the striated heron ( Butorides striata ) was found on Lakeba;

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