VATUKOULA THE CITY OF GOLD

Fiji lies in heart of the Pacific Ocean midway between the equator and the South Pole.

Fijis exclusive economic zone containing approximately 330 islands, of which about 1/3

are inhabited, covers about 1.3 million square kilometers of the South Pacific Ocean.

There are 2 major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Other main islands are Taveuni,

kadavu, Gau and Koro. Eighty three percent of the land is owned by indigenous Fijians

while nine percent is state land and eight percent is free hold land. The capital of Fiji

islands is Suva and it is one of the two cities in Fiji. The other city is Lautoka and both

are located on the island of Viti Levu. Most of the islands are volcanic, remnants of

sunken continent that stretched through Australia. This origin accounts for the mineral

deposits on the main land masses (Rolyn 2003).

Map of Fiji Islands

Source: http://www.fijiguide.com/

Fiji is represented by all the major religions of the world, as a multi racial and multi

cultural nation. More than half of the populations are Christian, others include Hindu,

Muslims, Chinese and Rotumans. English is the official language but Fijian and Hindi are

also taught in schools. Indigenous Fijians have their own dialects and Indians generally

have a Fiji Hindi dialect. Fijian customs reflect an utmost courtesy and dignity. There are

ceremonies for every occasion, which may include the presentation of tabua (whale’s

teeth), food or other gifts, or more commonly the drinking of yaqona (kava), the national

beverage.

Fiji has a tropical South sea maritime climate without great extremes of heat or cold. It’s

relatively stable due to the large expanse of ocean surrounding the islands. At all seasons

the predominating winds over Fiji are the Trade Winds from the east to south east.

VATUKOULA (TAVUA)

Getting There

There is no airstrip along the north coast so the only public transport is by bus or mini

van. Local buses from each town head along the dusty rural roads and some between the

local towns, stopping frequently along the way - to hail one on the roadside simply put

out your arm and flap your fingers. Otherwise, the best way to get around is by hiring a

carrier van or taxi found adjacent to the town’s bus stand.

BIOGEOGRAPHY

Tavua is a district in the Western Division on the North West coast of the island of Viti

Levu in Fiji. It is part of the province of Ba. It is situated some 20 kilometers by road

from Ba town. Its main economy is sugar cane, although the establishment of Tavua

township was the result of a gold mine in Vatukoula, which is in the interior of Viti Levu

but easily accessible from Tavua. A wharf, used by the mine, also exists at Vatia a few

kilometers near the coast. The wharf is of historical significance as it was used as the

main route of transportation from Suva to the western districts before the coastal road

was built. The area of Vatukoula is located in a volcanic caldera. Vatukoula is a gold

mining settlement, 9 kilometers inland from the Town of Tavua this developed from the

Tavua volcano forming at the intersection of the Viti Levu linement with the northwest

trending navisi shear zone. This volcano under went several generations of collapse to

form the Tavua caldera. This caldera later on leads to the formation of geographical

features such as the turtle pool and the Morrison pool formation. These areas are enriched

with different types of economic rocks sand stones, siltstones and plagioclase feldspar.

These areas also became a hotspot for studying mineralization and geology. The caldera

formations also lead to the mineralization of Tavua. Through which it became famous for

its major gold production in Fiji (Rolyn 2003). .

The highest mountain in Fiji is also located Tavua. Mount Tomanivi reaches an altitude

of 1324 m. According to some sources the altitude is though 1322 m. The peak is a part

of the mountain range that stretches from north to south and divides the island. The 2

great rivers of Fiji, the Rewa and the Sigatoka River originate on the slopes of Mt

Victoria. Mount Tomanivi has been created by volcanic activity. The cane fields climb

valleys to green mountain ridges with dramatic cliffs. Along the interior of Tavua is

located the Monasavu dam which supplies most of Viti Levu’s electrical power (Kerry

1969).

The area experiences a relatively dry climate. How ever there are local variations from

hot and dry to warm and wet. Since Tavua is on the lee ward side of the island it is much

drier with clear sky for most of the year and more variable temperatures and wind

direction. The nights in Vatukoula are cooler and the days are much warmer.

One of the major geographical features of Vatukoula area is the hot water spring. It is not

as large as the other hot springs found in Fiji. It runs along a small creek in the interior of

Vatukoula. And this hot water spring can lead to geothermal energy in near future.

The environment is mostly controlled by its geographical location, climate and its

physical relief. Areas are mostly sparse vegetation, with variety of grasses, ferns, shrubs

and trees. The vegetation of valleys and ravines includes trees.

CULTURE AND TRADITION

A combination of Fijian, Indian and colonial European has created an exciting cultural in

Tavua / Vatukoula area. The language mostly used is Fijian, English and Hindi. The

indigenous Fijians mostly resides in villages. Traditional wood carving skills are kept

alive in villagers around Vatukoula. Tanoa or yaqona drinking bowls are still part of

everyday life. Carving in human or animals forms are generally restricted to ceremonial

objects. Bark cloth and traditional textiles are still common in villagers. Masi is bark

cloth with black and rust colored printed designs made by the villagers. Masi is

associated with celebrations and rituals. It is an important exchange item and was used in

bonding ceremonies between related tribes.

Most of the villagers use woven voivoi or pandanus leaf mats for floor covering, dining

mats and as fine sleeping mats. They are much in demand for wedding presents and for

baptism, funerals and presentations to chiefs. Traditionally the hereditary role of women

and most girls living in the villagers learn to weave. Urbanization and mass produced

goods have inevitably led to a decline in the production of mats. This has in turn led to a

decline in the quality of materials as voivoi bushes need to be harvested regularly.

Local women weaving mats

Source: http://www.fijiguide.com/

The indigenous Fijian oral tradition of telling myths and legends around the kava bowl is

still going strong, both as entertainment and as traditional means for passing history.

Villagers drinking kava

Source: http://www.fijiguide.com/

Village life is based on interdependence, is supportive and provides a strong group

identity. It is also conservative. Concepts such as Kerekere and Sevusevu are still strong.

Kerekere is unconditional giving based on the concept that all property is communal. It is

especially strong among relatives and friends. Sevusevu is the presentation of a gift such

as yaqona or more powerfully a tabua in exchange for certain favors

BIODIVERSITY, ECOLOGY and ETHNOBIODIVERSITY

Much of the area around Vatukoula is grass lands, forests and freshwater ecosystems.

Patterns of rainfall are in large part responsible for the vegetation. Rainforests fill the

valleys and damp windward slopes of the high lands, while brush and occasional thickets

of bamboo and scrub grow in more exposed locations. On the dry sides open savanna and

talasinga of coarse grasses predominates where the original vegetation has been

destroyed by slash and burn agriculture. Caribbean pine has been planted in dry hilly

areas (David 1996).

Some of the herbs common in the area are nets ferns found in the forest, growing on

rocks and trees and it is one of the common fern found in this area. Because of its large

fronds it is planted for its ornamental value. Some of the cultivated economic plants are

Banana trees common along Vatukoula. Giant taro which is also planted as an ornamental

for its large leaves. This taro grows in the wild and it is a source of food in times of

shortage. Taro is also grown in villagers who are edible and constitute a very important

staple in the diet. Ginger is planted for its tuberous, aromatic rhizomes which are the

source of commercial ginger. Kumara or the sweet potato also found growing along road

sides. Mile a minute is very common along road side and forest. It is used for insect bites

and various skin irritations.

Some of the shrubs found in Vatukoula area are Vasu Damu (Croton) which is mostly

used for hedges, the leaves are various colors and shapes, Red hibiscus are found in open

areas as the name suggest the flowers are large and bright red in color, bamboo are found

in open forest , they are erect woody grass, green in color, which is used for making

ornaments such as hand fans., kava are medium shrub with swollen stem modes and thick

woody rhizomes, leaves are large and heart shaped, flowers are greenish white, it is

considered an important beverage for ceremonial purposes, Malo (paper mulberry) is a

small shrub, the leaves are heart shaped and lobed with small flowers , it is used to make

Tapa, sugar cane plants are erect and jointed, leaves are long, sugar is made from the

stem juice and the leaves are used as thatching material. Cassava is herbaceous shrub and

is found in open forest, the roots are edible. Lantana is erected shrubs found secondary

and primary forest, the stems have prickles on them, flowers occur in bunch and the top

are flattened, flowers are yellowish orange. Sensitive plants are very small and the stems

bear sharp spines, the flowers are pale purple. Queen of the night is found along village

areas, the flowers are numerous and white in color, and it is planted around villagers for

its flowers which give sweet fragrance at night (Albert 1979).

Pictures of a few of the shrubs mentiond above

Source: http://www.fijiguide.com/

Some of the trees common in this area are frangipani where the flowers are used for

decoration, the flowers are white in color. Sekoula (royal Poinciana) is found planted

around large settlement and is valued for its masses of showy flowers, bread fruit is an

important source of starch in the diet of the villagers, coconut is widely common and the

nut has many uses besides fruit and drink. It can be used as fuel to fire woods. The leaves

of the tree is weaved to make mats, baskets and thatching of roofs for the village, Lime is

also found where the fruit is used to make medicinal drinks, mango is also common along

with papaya, the juice of the leaves and green fruit contains enzymes which prevents

constipation, Guava, the fruit is edible, Vala ( Barringtonia) is used as a poison for fish,

Pandanus is cultivated mostly for weaving mats, Vasa is also found near grasslands and

open forest, the bark is dark gery with small outgrowths , the flowers are fragrant and

fruits are red when matured, the leaves are used to treat skin irritation (Gunnar 2006).

African tulip is also common in secondary forests and along streams; the flowers are

orange in color and sometimes yellowish. The flowers are used for decorative purposes.

The flowers also attract fruit bats and various birds. Cibicibi found in open forests, the

bark is almost brown in color, the flowers are fragrant and white in color, the bark is used

for timber and house posts. Vaivai is mostly found in forest areas and is used for timber

and construction. Kautabua is found in primary forest. Pine forests are also common in

secondary forest areas. Doi found is forest areas and endemic to Fiji. Bau is found along

creeks in open forest and are endemic to Fiji and Useful for timber The natives like to

have sweet smelling flowers growing near their houses such as the bau and sinu dina

(Arthur1995). Sole is a canopy tree found along forest areas; they are thin and grey in

color. The tree produces a soft wood. Ivi is more common in open forests. The bark is

dark brown in color. The fruit is enclosed by a tough covering which is green in color.

The wood is used for construction and fire wood; the seeds are edible and sold in the

market.

Pictures of few trees mentioned above

Source: http://www.fijiguide.com

There is a variety of domesticated animals and this includes pigs, goats, and cows,

chicken. Cats run wild on most areas. Cane toads are quite common in cane fields. And it

has now become a pest competing with the native ground frogs. Some of the native

mammals found fruit bat and the Polynesian gray rat. The Indian mongoose was

introduced by planters in the 1880s to combat rat, which were damaging, but later on

these mongooses became pests themselves and now they are found on almost every part

of the island. The growth and spread of thriving populations of mammalian predators,

namely cats, mongooses and rats has serious implications for most of the vertebrate

wildlife. Successful introduced birds include long established jungle fowl to new comers

like mynahs and bulbul. They mostly thrive in man modified habitats and also do well in

limited bush area. Cutting down of native forest is fast extending their range, where they

may soon be competing with the native species for food or nest sites (Dick 2001).

The diversity of flora and fauna is more common on other parts of Tavua such as mount

Tomanivi. Some of the endangered species found on mount Tomanivi are, Taqwa grows

as an understory palm on rocky volcanic soils. The palm trees are sparsely distributed on

steep slopes in montane rainforest. Tree frogs are also found in mount Tomanivi.

Along the coastal areas there are aquatic species are found. Mangroves are found along

the swamp areas. They mostly have stilt roots these cable roots of the saltwater tolerant

mangrove anchor in the shallow upper layer of oxygenated mud, avoiding the layers of

hydrogen sulphide below. The tree provides shade for tiny organisms dwelling in the tidal

mudflats. They provide habitat for marine organisms such as mud crabs and a place for

fish and shellfish to feed and spawn. And helps to protect the shoreline. The wood is a

source of fuel and also used for construction. Another plant found along the coastal

forest is the Uko. The bark is grayish brown in color. Leaves are simple and have creamy

flowers. And it is considered as a useful timber tree. Manawi is also found along coastal

forest. They are balck in color, with white flowers and can be distinguished from Uko by

the fruit of Manawi which is purple. They are also used for timber and construction.

Saurua is common aling lowland forest. The bark is smooth and light grey in color,

flowers are white and small. Vesi is found along side mangroves, the bark is pnkish

brown in color, with yellow or white flowers. This tree is culturally important as it

features in the Fijian mythology. The marine environment is also full of life. Sea urchins

are common along coastal areas. Most of the sea urchins are poisonous. Along with sea

urchins there are also starfish, cone shells, sea snakes along the rocky shores and reefs.

The fresh water ecosystem mostly contains fresh water prawns. Rivers flow between

villagers which is a source of food such as fish, kai and mud crabs

ECONOMY

The traditional Fijian economic systems are self sustaining in Vatukoula. The people

heavily rely on kinship and village structure, including the hierarchy of chiefs and

villagers. Fiji’s modern economic system has different and often contradictory

requirements from the traditional system, introducing individualism into the community

and making it difficult for workers to fulfill their village obligations. Poverty and

unemployment is at a rate which is of great concern to the settlement. Unemployment is

high among the youth as the semi subsistence village economy is no longer able to absorb

large numbers of young people. Cash is required for food, clothing, school fees,

community projects and imported goods.

The development of Vatukoula gold mine gave hope to the people of Vatukoula about

their future. Vatukoula Gold Mines currently employees approximately 700 people based

at its operations centre in Vatukoula, and at its London headquarters. The Emperor Mines

Limited (EML) owned the mine at first but shut it down in December 2006. Later the

mine was sold to River Diamonds which renamed the mine as Vatukoula Gold Mine. The

mine was re opened in April 2008. Gold is the predominant mineral mined and explored

in Fiji (David 1996)

People working at the Mine

Source: www.vgm.com.fj/images

The sugar industry is the second main economic importance to the people in Vatukoula.

It currently provides employment for almost a third of the population. Most cane is

grown by indo Fijian farmers on land leased from indigenous landowners

One of the cane fields in Vatukoula

Source: http://www.fijiguide.com/

Tourism also plays an important role towards the economic growth of the Tavua area.

There are a number of eco tourism operations taking place in majority of the high lands

and forest tracking such as the Tomanivi mount, traditional Fijian village tours are also in

place for the tourists. There is only one hotel in Tavua and it is located in Tavua town.

This provides employment to the locals. And at the same time boosts the economy of

Tavua (John 1880).

Agriculture is one medium that generates income for the rural dwellers. The villagers in

Vatukoula mostly farm assorted vegetables like zucchini, French bean, capsicum, long

bean and English and Chinese cabbage. These vegetables are marketed locally to Tavua

town. There’s a huge market available for the produce and the onus is on farmers to

produce and meet the demands.

CONCLUSION

Tavua is a district in the Western Division on the North West coast of the island of Viti

Levu in Fiji. It is part of the province of Ba. It is situated some 20 kilometers by road

from Ba town. Its main economy is sugar cane, although the establishment of Tavua

township was the result of a gold mine in Vatukoula. The climate is mostly controlled by

the topography of the high lands. Rainfall is variable, the warmer season experiences

heavier rainfall, especially inland. The warm season is from November to April and the

cooler season is from May to October. The economy of tavua is mostly deepened upon

the gold mine and the sugar industry. Natural resources include timber, fish, gold,

copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower. The culture is a rich mosaic of indigenous,

Indian, and European traditions, comprising social polity, language, food (based mainly

from the sea, casava, dalo & other vegetables), costume, belief systems, architecture, arts,

craft, music, dance and sports. The indigenous culture is very much active and living,

and is a part of everyday life for the majority of the population. A myriad of plant and

insect species have been deliberately and inadverntly introduced during the historic

period, and many have flourished. Various birds and mammals, and a now widespread

toad have also been introduced. While many of these introduced vertebrates have

foundered, some have established wild population. Goats, cattle and horses have all

established feral populations in tavua. All in all it can be said that Vatukoula settlement

is composed of a diverse era of population including its biodiversity. With is unique

culture and tradition. Vatukoula gold mine gives the area a standout from other villagers

and it is the most important industry driving the economy of tavua.

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http://www.fijiguide.com/

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Vatukoula Gold Mines. Updated 28th February 2011. Accessed 26th February 2011

http://www.vgm.com.fj/images

NAME: Razia Sheikh

ID # : S11040384