Sawau
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2016) |
Sawau | |
|---|---|
Tribe | |
  Sawau Location in Fiji | |
| Coordinates: 18°24′32.65″S 178°8′24.67″E / 18.4090694°S 178.1401861°E / -18.4090694; 178.1401861 | |
| Country |  Fiji |
| Division | Central Division |
The Sawau (Fijian pronunciation: [saɰɔu̯]) tribe in Fiji is made of 6 villages on the island of Beqa, 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) to the south of Viti Levu, but the District is only made up of 5 villages. They are as follows:
- Dakuibeqa (Chiefly Village –Tui Sawau),
- Dakuni,
- Soliyaga,
- Naceva,
- Naseuseu and
- Rukua – (Part of the Tribe of Sawau but part of the District of Raviravi)
The people of Sawau are world famous for performing two cultural expressions:
- Vilavilairevo (Firewalking)[1][2] The phenomena was examined in 1902 when it was already a tourist attraction, with a "Probable Explanation of the Mystery" arrived at.[3]
- Yavirau or Qolikubu – (Fish drive)
References
Guido Carlo Pigliasco (2020) The Custodians of the Gift. Fairy Beliefs, Holy Doubts and Heritage Paradoxes on a Fijian Island. Firenze University Press. DOI: 10.36253/978-88-5518-085-6
- ^ Burns, Georgette Leah (1994). "Tourism Impact in Beqa". In R. J. Morrison; Paul A. Geraghty; Linda Crowl (eds.). Science of Pacific Island Peoples: Education, language, patterns & policy. Institute of Pacific Studies. p. 29. ISBN 9820201071.
- ^ Admin (February 15, 2016). "What is Firewalking in Fiji?". Captain Cook Cruises Fiji. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
- ^ Fulton, Robert (1902). "Art. XIII.—An Account of the Fiji Fire-walking Ceremony, or Vilavilairevo, with a Probable Explanation of the Mystery". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 35: 187–201.
