Gratitude shown in the exchange of TABUA with our Host, Na VANUA O VIDILO

In our Fijian culture, TABUA – or a polished sperm whale tooth is a highly valued and is a cultural item that represent respect, status and power. TABUA is used in important occasion with traditional and communal context such as betrothals, birth, death, including apologizing for a wrong done, or requesting favors. This traditional element is determined by its size and thickness and is the very representative and meaning of MANA and mystical power for every indigenous Fijian.

A TABUA or a whale’s tooth appeared within the IRCA circle on the very last day at the NAMOLI – LAUTOKA meeting when we presented our I-VAKAVINAVINAKA (gratitude) to the people of NAMOLI for taking care of us during our days in the village. The people of NAMOLI welcome us as guest or strangers into their village and into their homes. The people of the vanua o VIDILO looked after us by feeding us and provided spaces for conversation or TALANOA. On that we must reciprocate their kindness by showing our appreciation with a piece of item that spoke more than a thousand words and a piece of their identity that cannot be given a dollar value. Upon advice, the best way to do that is to present a TABUA or a whale’s tooth with the best spokesperson from our IRCA Oceania family.

On that last day at the VALE VA KORO or Village Hall – IRCA family from the Solomon Islands, from VANUATU, and PAPUA NEW GUINEA, our pacific people representing the Polynesian culture from TONGA and AOTEAROA NIU-SILADI, our FIRST NATION brothers from Australia offered our thanks and gratitude with a TABUA (whale’s tooth). There are other gifts such as bags of food, sanitary packs, bale of beautiful materials – but a single piece of this treasured artefact allowed us to speak with grace and gratitude showcasing our gratefulness to the VANUA and her people.

When the chief – NA I’TAUKEI VIDILO and the people welcomed us on day one – the IRCA family was given the rare opportunity to be one with the people, by becoming members of family, the opportunity to share their space and resources. With that gift there is no better way to reciprocate their kindness with what they value the most – a piece of item seen by outsiders with no value, but is seen by the people of this land as a presentative of MANA, and a mystical power in a form of WORDS or THE WORD. In our Christian faith vocabulary – THE WORD which is GOD (John 1:1, … and the word was God) was exchange and was the very center of our “thanksgiving ritual” the day before we depart from NAMOLI Village.

Photo – IRCA Oceania spokesperson, Revd. BASULU SENICEVA serving as Circuit Minister of the Methodist Church in New Zealand serving the Fijian Community in Whaganui, New Zealand.

Kind words exchanged, emotions are high, feelings are solemn, but the space and the atmosphere were reassuring – then “ NA TURAGA NA I’TAUKEI VIDILO “ presented another TABUA (whale’s tooth) the thank IRCA-Oceania for choosing NAMOLI as a place to meet, to gather and dialogue, a place to pray and seek GOD’s wisdom on matters of concern to the people of the Pacific.

TAUKEI VIDILO – Ratu WILIAME BOUWALU and the people of NAMOLI through this gesture again affirm IRCA-Oceania that friendship forged during the days spent at the village. “This TABUA (whales’ tooth) is for you to know that when and if you find your way back to our shores, remember you have you family here, you have a house where you can come back to. You have a family here at NAMOLI”, says Ratu BOUWALU.

This gesture of reciprocity – an exchange of TABUA with words of affirmation between the two sides – the community of NAMOLI and IRCA Oceania is the epitome of the 2025 Oceania gathering that will drive our community or rural churches forward for the next 4 years.

The TABUA, the highest token of respect one can receives in FIJI and is often presented to distinguished guests or when requesting or of bestowing a favor, an item that plays a crucial role in various Fijian ceremonies and social interactions.

With the exchange, it is not sold or treated as a commodity (we cannot put a dollar value to), something that IRCA OCEANIA will treasure for the years to come, as we continue to pray and walk with our people of this vast Pacific Ocean.  

Tabua (also can be referred to as KAMUNAGA or VATU NI VANUA) that was gifted to IRCA Oceania by the people of NAMOLI, Gone Turaga na iTAUKEI VIDILO – Ratu Wiliame BOUWALU).

Manasa Vatanitawake

August 2025