Farewell ceremony in Suva harbour

Posted by Andrew via Email at 11:00 PM, July 14, 2004

(C) Greenpeace/Roger Grace

Ni Sa Bula Vinaka. I'm Lagi Toribau, Assistant Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace, and I am onboard the Rainbow Warrior. She departed Suva this morning, last night we had a moving farewell ceremony performed by a group of locals (who's day jobs are all with the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation).

This traditional Fijian ceremony is called the "Veiqaraqaravi Vakavanua" (Vay-gara-garavi Vaka-vanua). It started with an inspirational speech by one of the group members who gave thanks on behalf of Fiji for the Rainbow Warrior coming, and promoting the important issue of helping us to maintain our ocean resources for future children. The Greenpeace response was made for us by Etika Rupeni from the World Wide Fund for nature (WWF).

Then they mixed the kava, which we call "Yaqona" (Yung-gona), in the traditional kava bowl. The kava was squeezed out into a coconut shell cup, and ceremonially presented to Captain Derek. The spokesman for Derek, which was me, drank from the next cup. Then the next most important person on the ship drank - that was the Fijian Minister for Labour, Kenneth Zinck, and after him then Etika, who acted as his spokesperson this time.

After the Kava ceremony and more speeches, we did what Pacific islanders always do, we feasted, on a specially prepared "Lovo" [traditionally prepared meal].

Vinaka Vakalevu and Ni Sa Moce.

-- Lagi