Vorovoro - Home Of The High Chief Of Mali_Vlog 136

We had the privilege of visiting and serving the High Chief of Mali Island in Fiji. He lives on an island called Vorovoro and he was gracious enough to answer a few of our simple and elementary questions. We were curious about the Bridge The Gap program that he’s so passionate about and what his role is in the cultural landscape in our province of Macuata in Vanua Levu, Fiji.
One of our church members, Chuck, asked if some of us would be willing to go and clean up the area on the island that Bridge The Gap operates out of as it was a bit run down because it had been shut down due to the pandemic.
To us, this is what the church is supposed to be: People who love Jesus loving other people. Not just to raise money for soli’s (offerings) but just because someone needs help.
Thanks for joining us on this one. It’s a special one for us because we learned a lot this day about our own culture too.
Thanks and a big Vinaka Vakalevu to the Tui Mali for his hospitality and wisdom he shared with us.
Also thanks to Joe Tuinaosara for your help with the massive translation job on this vlog. Your wisdom with language means everyone who watches this video has the opportunity to learn about Fiji or even for us non-Fijian speaking Fijians to understand ourselves. We’re very grateful for the time you take to help us when we need it.
ENJOY!!!

[@heyitsfel1364]

Interesting conversation! Thank you Jonathan for asking questions and seeking knowledge from our elders. Would love to see more content on this. Definitely a intriguing conversation. Here are a few things I observed from the conversation, feel free to expand on the conversation if you have a differing perspective or opinion. (1) Fiji as a Nation There are other factors that go into the decline and improvement of fiji as a nation, let alone the world. Many of which are immeasurable (in accuracy) because of the lack of a universal system of records (for example, what positive and negative effects has the fijian nation experienced from the changes/inconsistencies in government or changes in government policies in the past 10 years?) one example could be the increase in economic development from international competing countries like China (Roads, infrastructure, large loans) Australia (strong trade and investment ties) and Korea (Grace church, Grace Businesses). How much of the money is reinvested into the country vs. taken outside to profit their own countries. Talk about taking money from the Vanua. Hiring people from their own country to work in fiji. (2) Education and Enlightenment Within the Christian worldview, with the existence of Sin, humanity as a whole are on the decline in multiple facets. One reason is with the increase use and reliance of Technology, education/morals goes beyond churches or textbooks let alone picking up a Bible to study. Any consumption of unhealthy entertainment, movies, music, gaming, youtube influencers, soap operas, bollywood etc. can develop young minds in a different direction despite growing up in a Christian household and attending church every weekend. Fiji is no longer isolated, it has the world at it’s fingertips (with access to a internet connection or TV). Would love to understand Cheif Mali’s understanding on what Enlightenment means. If he is referring to Enlightenment as ushering a utopia, this same belief system is alike with the likes of Socialism, communalism (one could argue fiji and other south pacific islands still have aspects in tact) and communism. (3) Correlation doesn’t equal causation Prison’s being overcrowded is not accurate way to measure the effectiveness of the Gospel. Each person in prison has a specific story into how and why they ended up there. People are multifaceted, i’m sure there a similar underlying themes, as to why and how the majority end up there (substance abuse, drug packages have arrived on Fiji’s shores), but saying there’s a correlation between higher incarceration rates and the ineffectiveness of Churches/enlightenment despite its population growth is not a fair statement to make. Especially without any statistical evidence. (4) Time is Progressive Time brings about change, it is important to preserve and value what is important to us. However change is inevitable. My question is, how can we take traditional moral values and beliefs and integrate into our lives to prolong its purpose from generation to generation. Not as tradition, but as a way of life that unites us and promotes community vs. self. I find that the Gospel in its true essence promotes that. It crosses all cultural barriers and lines and promotes the individual and group simultaneously. There are some in the Christian community that have misused their power to take advantage for financial gain and other unethical practices. They will have their day. But they do not Represent the essence and power of the Gospel.

[@vivitamatanimeke7013]

Now this is a leader

[@joehillary6981]

I greatly respect the High Chief of Mali's wise words. Vanua is of utmost importance and must be upheld, especially now in such an ever-changing world we live in. We must NEVER scoff at traditional supernaturalism; the early missionaries did some damage in this regard. Whilst Vanua and Christian values coexist, Vanua will be the foremost saving grace with God’s blessing no doubt. Christian denominations are competing, with that comes division and conflict, resulting in some confusion, and as the high chief rightly observes - prisons are overcrowded so where is the “enlightenment”? So yes, Vanua, which is (and should be) emotionally connected to every Fijian, is the ultimate saving grace. The High Chief of Mali is a wise man.

[@fijikimbo]

Love this…. Watching teary eyed. I spent 15 months on Vorovoro with Tui Mali and the original Tribewanted project from 2006. Love that he still has such pride and excitement in welcoming people to this beautiful island…. And to see that he still talks with such wisdom ❤ I owe so much thanks to this Great Man.

[@WakaFamily]

That’s really special. So cool that you actually have been here and lived here and know Tui Mali.

[@josuarokoqica5406]

​@@WakaFamilybro zaen Takoma

[@JohnResidents-rz1zi]

Awesome Full of charity ❤

[@heracles-hunty9856]

Colonialists have led us (iTaukei and other indigenous peoples globally) to believe that we were uncivilised and in need of saving. We were not given the chance to develop and progress on our terms, and have been taught to be embarrassed or ashamed of our history/ancestors. How sad that some of us still believe in this colonialist rhetoric but it's so heartwarming to see an elder think this way.

[@Ava.Lanche]

Visiting Vorovoro is on my bucket list. It has special significance as the timeless classic "Vorovoro Malau Kei Vuo" was composed by Percy Bucknell, my grandmother's brother. 🤍

[@WakaFamily]

No way! That’s so cool! Thanks for sharing.

[@marianawaqa2625]

Loved listening to the Tui Mali and agree that unless important questions are asked of our elders, we have little hope of carrying the information forward to future generations.

[@lejiify]

Thank you for these! I use to love sitting with my grandparents and ask all sirts if questions on our history. Please more stories from our old people up there in the North. Appreciate this!

[@wow7807]

He has spoken the truth of what actually is happening in Fiji. Very sad. He is the type of person who needs to be in parliament and not the current corrupt people!

[@keasitora2985]

Fell in love with Vorovoro the first time there.

[@bushfalla1589]

Isa I use to wake up every morning to the view of vorovoro and Mali from our house in FFI Malau Thank you very much for the memories ❤ and sharing

[@MrJMcGoon]

Wise words indeed from turaga na Tui Mali. Couldn't have said it any better!

[@user-pr2lq5um6r]

Words of wisdom from the Rajah..Enjoyed it..

[@beranadetatuca916]

Miss this place so much😢 A great tribute to the late Mrs Uate(the late Tui Mali wife) miss her so much and also a former High School teacher at All Saints Secondary ❤ #ChildhoodPicnicSpot

[@Gooner-gb2bz]

Very interesting video thank you Waka family ❤❤

[@EddieTomasi]

I really enjoyed this program. Love the sulu they wear. ❤❤❤

[@aditikaunivutuna4775]

Bula re Bubu! Thank You Waka Family for visiting my family Nemani..isaaaaaa Semisi...missing your cooking!! Loloma wake ivale.

[@sambogiva5908]

Isa , i remember my 5 weeks stay in Vorovoro with the Auburn University student in 2019 , and i really enjoyed it.❤

[@koliniobatikara2479]

Thanks alot..that as awesome indeed..eye opening explanation also from Tui Mali..God bless..

[@peter-maihuaharricknen2216]

Powerful message from the High Chief of Mali, this message translates through the Pacific Islands! Thank you for the share 🙏

[@beatricevakatawa6506]

I grew up near here. And i loved coming to the island 🌺🌺

[@3_na_wavu]

Love this ♥️🔥

[@GloryTheMan000]

ISA I was born and bread in Malau FFI, and use to go for the Holidays and stayed at Mali with our Family the Ratawa's Vorovoro was always our picnic spot, thanks for this Video👍

[@senemeli8898]

Love the contents love to hear the high cheif story thats great you guys did some services on that island that island looks like the whales tail fiji that high cheif so nice would love to hear some story from him much alofas from park city utah ❤

[@akrlglg]

This is the most articulated and very educational segment👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾Love it- Please do more series of this👍🏽👍🏽

[@VictorianLegend696]

I hear about vorovoro and mali I remember pupu kurabui. Haven't seen this island in decades isa

[@user-qp4oq8yj7z]

Bula sia Maku (Vasu ni Lomaloma). Thank you for being a custodian of our culture and sharing it to the world. Loloma aauu kai Moce mada M.

[@Lagilelei]

wow Tui Mali is the real deal. What he spoke of is the same thing that is going on here in Samoa let alone the whole pacific.

[@aditikaunivutuna4775]

Kocooooiiiii!!!! Koooocoooooiiii!!

[@quintonhurst2415]

Vinaka quys!! Interesting thank you John and the rest of Waka family👍.

[@sambogiva5908]

Aaawwww Misi , love the chicken palau

[@user-sx6gd8zc6y]

Chief is very well versed. Vorovoro has a great leader. No 'veiba vaka na koro'.

[@imma-gucake]

Amazing video...love to visit that island 🏝 one day...Vorovoro❤

[@Es_Koroi]

Very Insightful 💡 Vinaka @WakaFamily

[@Mpro109]

Kia orana bro great vlog

[@sambogiva5908]

Isa bulabula tu ga o Pu , Tui Mali. ❤

[@charlienaeata8822]

Beautiful content, just need mics on thos getting interviewed for sound quality. Much love from Tonga our Fijian warriors 🙏

[@jaynasilasila_rokoduna]

Isaaaa… bula sia Tata, rogorogo sia na ivamacala 🙏

[@apolosakuboutawa1453]

Wise words

[@user-sx6gd8zc6y]

That's my Man! Grog , sevusevu etc...😂😂

[@ladytee6440]

Essa these beautiful villages are being targeted by Cartels for their drug dealing business 😢 I hope they don’t fall victim to what these pathetic Cartels are offering 🙏🏽

[@NetavaDelana-id3xc]

🔥🔥

[@rachelhendrata1445]

My mom is from vesi

[@billroks313]

Been to Vesi in year 2000 with my late Uncle for church service walk through mangroves from Sigawe to Vesi😊

[@Conny_and_Pate_28]

Isaaaa toto'a a vlog ni'ua❤❤. Dina saraga a va'amacala wei Tui Mali🙏🏽🙏🏽. KOCOI bula vina'a 🤣🤣🤣🤣✌🏽

[@kaysovatabua1235]

Kocoi se o dodo😂😂😂

[@suriaaa956]

Isa that I remember that song sara Vorovoro Malau kei Vuo

[@michaelwise4026]

❤

[@lovenature7775]

Isa dua gauna au mai veiqaravi tu ena yanuyanu qo. Nu bula vinaa turaga na tui mali. Alougata jio na veiliutai vinaa

[@JosefLawakeli]

Everything was vu from the vanua...

[@justincrediblev41]

27:57 this gentleman cannot be this ignorant. Denying the change that Christianity brought, it was through Christianity that our forefathers acknowledge the wrong they did as they became enlightened. Christianity demonstrated that tribal wars must seize. There was no hospital in the past because there weren't many itaukei people then and that there were no interactions with European settlers who brought in diseases. There were no prisons then because the ancestors thought that killing and laying siege on villagers was right. So it was Christianity that enlightened people to differentiate right from wrong.

[@WakaFamily]

We also agree on many many levels with this. Thanks for sharing. We’re just hearing out different opinions and for all reasons and purposes we being the best way to fight bad ideas is with better ideas. Not to silence. So we appreciate your contribution to this dialogue. Cheers

[@lannyromala8465]

Very true

[@akrlglg]

Not so much to an extent- Christianity brought their beliefs and sort change to make us believe their ways were better than what our ancestors were in. No one lived in the era- to fully understand what lifestyle they lived in- We can agree to disagree but at the end of the day, we all are different. Tui Malii is placing emphasis on knowing who your true identity is and being proud of it.

[@679KAY]

You mean, The ignorant fact that a group of people used the guise of Christianity to sort of lay hold to a place that was already thriving. Hypocrisy is your statement where you mention Tribal wars were to be seized but did you forget the fact that they were very very similar to the Barbaric wars all over England🤦🏽… but Please do enlighten us on how the guise of bringing christianity resulted in Colonization. Wow. Such a marvelous plan I must say, conquering and crusading for the purpose of colonization 🤣🤣

[@mydustuch]

He's speaking about the present and all the problems that Fiji is facing today..

[@JohnResidents-rz1zi]

Totoka dina Noqu kalou noqu vanua

[@userbenjae]

❤❤❤❤ vinaka vakalevu Waka family

[@judynakwalevu]

cola koko ❤❤❤

[@rachelhendrata1445]

Bula sia pupu

[@user-xd3uw5lr7r]

Totoka vakaoti omiau I vahamacala.

[@vitobaleinadogo8973]

Qo na lotu. Vinaka na cakacaka

[@island-360]

Sere cava ya?

[@peninabukelevu9912]

Vorovoro malau kei vuo

[@user-ut7cy3id8k]

Bula

[@soitersorim1936]

The

[@finiasivuli8522]

Dina taucoko, vinaka na i tukutuku

[@lannyromala8465]

Very Similar to Lotu Vanua.😂

[@belindalewaravu7343]

❤