Looking for Some of the Myths and Legends of Ancient Fiji

It's been a few weeks since my last vlog. I was nursing an inflamed Achilles tendon brought about by overexertion in the gym. I was advised to have my tendon rested (done thoroughly), use ice (done occasionally), and have the rest of my leg massaged around the tendon (done frequently). On Wednesday last, my team and I hiked up into the foothills of Nakauvadra, the beating heart of ancient Fiji, bursting with archaeological remains in addition to gripping myths and legends. I went to see what is known as the "Ciri" which refers to the twin brothers, Cirinakaumoli and Nakausabaria, depicted on the Fijian coat of arms, and the sacred pool where they swam. The brothers killed a rooster called Turukawa of which Degei, the supreme god of ancient Fiji, was very fond. It was said that this killing sparked the tribal wars that engulfed Fijians for centuries. We had wanted to see the place where it was said Turukawa crowed to Degei every morning but, alas, that proved a little too much for this trip. We saw the pool of the twins, their "yavu" (home foundation), and other odd and fascinating things. Personally, I got a feeling for a landscape at once mysterious and spiritual. That being said, we will be returning to the foothills of Nakauvadra soon for more delving into the ancient Fijian way of life. In the meantime, enjoy this vlog. And my Achilles tendon? It's still slightly swollen but the good news is I hardly felt it pinch or hurt on this hike. I'm on the mend!

[@EtuateCakau]

One of the best stories made in the Nakauvadra range. Some of us have never been to the area but how you have presented it, opening with a majestic scenery of Nakauvadra kept us on throughout the journey. There will be different views, but keep it coming. Awesome again.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thank you so much, Etuate. 🙂

[@fjchannel321]

Tokaitua.. The Road of the Elders back in the days. The people Vatukaloko says that this is where their ancestors use as a way of travel to go other places around Fiji ! Just amazing ♥️

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Yes. There is so much wonderful mystery in Nakauvadra. I'm looking forward to exploring more of the place and uncovering its history. 😃✌🏽👌🏽

[@souljahking5273]

Twalaita

[@yaninalewatava8086]

​@@souljahking5273 Tualita 😊

[@naseembuksh5740]

Beautiful, born in Fiji 🇫🇯 but never been to all this places, vinaka

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Great! 👍 Lots more to come!

[@willycagibulakamenio8861]

Awesome video as usual....The opening shots were phenomenal showing Nakauvadra in all her glory. The sites you visited breathtaking and wonderfully explained. What kept coming back to mind is the small path you stood on at their bathing pool. It was as if it was chiselled for man to walk on or a location where heavy things to be rolled off on. Interesting and beautiful. Looking forward to when you finally get to Turukawa's tree. God Bless and stay safe Sir.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thanks a ton, Willy. That path was extraordinary. Why it was created is a great mystery. I'm only annoyed I didn't have my camera turned on for what was obviously an old village with yavus in that copse of trees a little further on. One yavu is said to belong to the "Ciri" of legend. There was also a strange clump of rocks stuck together (not a yavu) on exposed land before we got to what is believed to be the pool of the "Ciri". I have a photo but I don't believe I filmed it. There is so much mystery in Nakauvadra.

[@manasatawalesu391]

Used to heard about the Tokaitua, now I have seen it. Thank you uncle ❤️ they say that till today, ancestral spirits still roam these routes 'Tokaitua'

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

You are very welcome!

[@keithy1459]

Really enjoyed this episode! It would also be interesting if you could go up to Degei's old fort & make a documentary of that place. But all in all, please keep these episodes coming 💯

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thank you! I’m most definitely planning to go to Degei’s old fort. I’m fascinated by what I might there. Much more to come. Apologies for not posting regularly but I aim to change all that over the next few months. Stay tuned! 👍🏽🫶🏽🙌🏽

[@temanaperformingarts9848]

Breathtaking views my friend. Was great running into you at the Fiji Museum on Wednesday last week. Hope to see you again.🙏😁🌺

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thank you! Likewise, wonderful meeting up with you. I look forward to seeing some of your cultural events in NZ. 😃✌🏽👍🏽👌🏽

[@maciuchrissakealevu2054]

Great Tour...Ancient History of Fiji

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Vinaka, Maciu. There are dozens more stories I could and will tell from Nakauvadra. 😃👍🏽✌🏽👌🏽

[@richarddekoa7657]

Isaaa I’m from the village down the road Vatusekiyasawa but I haven’t been to Nakauvadra Range yet, this video has motivated me to try to go there this year

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Yes, that’s right. There’s even an older village belonging to UdeUdre in the foothills of Nakauvadra. 😃

[@richarddekoa7657]

@@ThePaleBlueDot just saw your video on it rn , cheers and Vinaka vakalevu

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@richarddekoa7657 Glad you enjoyed it.:)

[@babitanarayan2497]

Another beautiful video. Thanks for sharing Azeem. Lovely to see Fiji is so green and lavish.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

So nice of you, Babita. Thank you! I'm planning more trips to Nakauvadra. 😃👍🏽😎

[@yaninalewatava8086]

Wow Amazing scenery ❤😊

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Beautiful place!

[@kayer3374]

Incredible!!!! Great job mate..🤗🤗🤗🥳

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thank you, Kayer! 😃😎🙌🏽🇫🇯

[@Max96Tawake]

Thank you for the story. Interesting

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Glad you enjoyed it, Semisi! 😃👍🏽✌🏽👌🏽😎

[@veerbhadra1912]

So good people After I know America god bless Fiji

[@Bdamuni]

Vinaka ...you must be burning some serious calories on all your ramblings.Awesome Episode brother

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

I was! I need to burn more! 😂😂

[@vineshnarayan99]

💕 my home town esa thanks bro for bringing memories

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Glad you liked it, Vinesh. Lots more to come. 👍🏽🙏🏽👌🏽🫶🏽🙌🏽

[@geewah9736]

You did it again! Thanks, and if I was King Charles III you would be the first commoner I would knight!! God save the King! As a side note, the Ciri must have influenced my Fua in Ba long ago,, she back-slapped dead a rooster that crowed a bit too loud for her liking while she sat in front of her house...!!!

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

That is hilarious! I couldn't stop laughing over the rooster your fua backslapped!

[@ima.lux19]

Bula Azeem. Was worried when you didn’t upload! Hope you’re well. Vinaka

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Nearly 100%. Thanks for the concern, Ima. 😃😎🙏🏽🇫🇯

[@8749nas]

Bula, Is the Intro drone footage also from Nakauvadra?

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@8749nas Some of it is. Others are from stock footage of terrain resembling Nakauvadra.

[@joanatawase2897]

. We only hear about Nakauvadra but yo trip was amazing. . Vinaka vakalevu Azeem n the gang.👍✌

[@ima.lux19]

@@ThePaleBlueDot glad you’re ok! Was a relief to see you pop up on the notification bell 🔔. 💜👏

[@Webbcorp]

Great story. Where is the start of the ridgeline trail seen at about 1:44 in video? Is the footage in the first 2 minutes all from that area?

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Most of the footage is from the area. I used some stock footage which matches what Nakauvadra looks like but mainly from the other side based on what I’ve seen from drone footage belonging to a team of geographers. There are some wonderful legends from the area as well as many archaeological sites that I hope to explore in upcoming vlogs. 😃✌🏽🙏🏽👍🏽

[@Webbcorp]

Thanks@@ThePaleBlueDot we were hoping to hike that ridgeline trail and didn't know where the start was.

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

@@Webbcorp We are planning a similar hike next year. We've identified the ridge line as beginning a short drive inland between the villages of Togavere and Drauniivi. There's a road that goes inland off the King's Road along a feeder road. You would need a four-wheel drive.

[@dennqw]

Would fijians ever want to go back to the name Viti?

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

For the name of the country? Fiji used to be known as Feejee, both of which are a corruption of Viti. Fiji also used to be known as the Cannibal Islands.

[@jesjes5255]

that area is 'tawa jiko'

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Thanks! 😊

[@jesjes5255]

the little girl walking that long bush track barefooted!

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

The souls of her feet are as tough as boots! 😂😂

[@maikasoro8267]

I heard phone and electronic get shut down up there ... u should go in the hole they say degei is in they say no one ever go in

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Yes, it happened to us. We lost mobile phone signal. Also happened when we went to Udre Udre’s old village.

[@waltertroon7101]

I hope you’re paying your tour guides well

[@Tomasi-lx5pu]

The twins don't have a Yavu, they were staying with their Momo Rokola @ Narauyaba village, their pool is there n if want to the real story go to the people of Vatukaloko, sorry for you guy you been filled with bullshit story ,Degei n the Twins are two different people all together, people of Vatukacevaceva are descendants of Degei,Rokola's descendants are the Mataisau,yavusa Nakamakama residing @ their old village site,m feel sorry for you Pale Blue

[@Tomasi-lx5pu]

Bullshit site created by Vatukacevaceva people the real site of Degei's village is in the Uluisivobu flats, the real pool is @ Narauyaba Naya old Narauyaba

[@Tomasi-lx5pu]

The reason why you're camera wasn't recording because you are been fed with bullshit story

[@maciu7326]

Why are you taking an exhibition in our ancestors land??it's taboo!!such place are preserved for wide views for a reasons!!

[@boob72]

It's good that it is being documented

[@ThePaleBlueDot]

Vinaka! 😃😎🇫🇯

[@pdmaheshsharma]

Taboo for what that's why you Fijians don't know much about your own culture. Cirinakaumoli and Ciri Nakausabaria is the son of the snake god which you guys call Degei, Fijian mythology, Degei, enshrined as a serpent, is the supreme god of Fiji. He is the creator of the Fijian world, fruits, and of men and is especially connected to the Suncoast District, Fiji. He judges newly dead souls after they pass through one of two caves: Cibaciba or Drakulu. A few he sends to paradise Burotu. Most others are thrown into a lake, where they will eventually sink to the bottom (Murimuria) to be appropriately rewarded or punished. He is said to have at first moved about freely, but then in the form of a snake to have grown into the earth with his ringed tail. Since then he has become the god of earthquakes, storms, and seasons. Whenever Degei shakes himself fertilizing rain will fall, and delicious fruits hang on the trees. we Indians believe that Degei comes from India and load Krishna sent him to Fiji In our Holi book is written Ramnik Deep means Fiji. Degei got a brother Eagle if you have time ask someone old in your family or people OF Wailotua village. nowadays some young Fijians believe that Degei is Ghost but the fact is a fact so stop saying its taboo and try to find out more🙏

[@joshrabele1092]

@@pdmaheshsharma he is no GOD ,he jst a human want to b God

[@eronidelai2934]

@maciu, Hahaha you are so childish