Ring-ditch fortifications of Suva
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- Hi friends! I'm back! Apologies for the absence. In this vlog: A glimpse into a forgotten way of life of ancient Fiji. The windward side of Viti Levu has a large number of the remains of fortified sites known as ring-ditch which, as the name implies is a circular ditch and bank line of defence enclosing a settlement. These ring-ditch fortifications were located in areas noted for their crop cultivation and high density of population during the nineteenth century. In the late twentieth century, they succumbed to the demands of urban growth and intensive farming and what little there remained was slowly lost over time. The Laucala Bay Ring-Ditch Fortification is a rare survivor. It is protected by the National Trust of Fiji. We pay it a visit and uncover a rarely-known ring-ditch fortification close to the heart of Central Suva.
I attended High School less than a kilometre from here, where I was taught Hamlet and other Shakespearean European classics. We were never told of this ancient historical site right in the back of our classrooms. I sometimes wonder if the decision to ignore our own history was deliberate. Little wonder then why most folk know so very little of our history. It's sad. Another insightful program. What you're doing is important man. Thanks for teaching us (and making) our OWN history.
Vinaka, “solo monk”. More to one. The teaching of history in schools in Fiji is woeful. There is so much ancient Fijian history on our doorsteps that we don’t know about. Such a shame.
Right in front of our eyes lies historical sites and we never knew. Thank you again good Sir for informing us.
There are more, Willy, still untouched after centuries, but in more remote areas.
A lot of history here. Thank you for shining some light into Fijis History. There are other sites in Suva that are well preserved also. That map you shared is quite interesting and I can identify one or two of those dots.
My earnest desire is to explore how much of that old Fijian world of ring-ditch fortifications has survived modernity. Would be time consuming but make a fascinating vlog.
bula, Im From malaysia..i was there in Suva 2021..Love the friendly Fiji people!
Bula! So glad you enjoyed your time in Fiji. 🇫🇯 😃🫶🏽👌🏽🙌🏽👍🏽
@@ThePaleBlueDot really enjoy!
@@ridzuanmohd1521 Thank you! 😊
Beautifully filmed Azeem. Background music and views are just spectacular. This is the very first time Iam hearing about ring-ditch fortifications, anyway very interesting. Love to hear more about Fiji's interesting places.
That’s so sweet of you, Babita, thank you! Yes, there are so many of these ring-ditch fortifications. One that I will be covering in the New Year is Ovea near Bau Landing.
Very refreshing and educational at the same time. I think fiji one tv should give ur show some air time so that us fijians living in fiji can learn with u on ur journey bro. Love ur show, it really captures the way we are as fijians and our beautiful story's lost in time♥️🇫🇯 thank you for showing us.
Beautiful comment, Solomoni, vinaka. Really appreciated. 😃👌🏽🫶🏽👍🏽
That "causeway" actually has a name! That is "Vaturua Lane." Our old family home is about a half minute's traverse from the last house in Vaturua Lane from where you can hear the gushing stream. The stream winds up down in Nasese behind the former Parliament building and beside Draiba Fijian School. That stream is Laveti Creek.
Thanks for that Henry. It would be interesting to follow the stream. I assumed it followed a course around the ring-ditch fortification.
@@ThePaleBlueDot the stream must have served as a natural obstacle. From that last house in Vaturua Lane, you can see a rather big teak tree (if it's still standing) and about 25m away is a small bamboo grove. Under that bamboo grove there is a fork in the creek, which runs down from Vesi St; passing in front of the Police Quarters, crossing under Laucala Bay Rd and then beside Dhurup Singh Place (off Tanoa St), or rather between Dhurup Singh Place and Yat Send School grounds, and meanders towards the bamboo grove and onwards to finally be called Laveti Creek after it crosses under Service St thru Hamilton-Beattie St and surrounds.
@@henrygrey346 very detailed account, thank you. I hope you don’t mind me asking how you know so much about it? Have you ever worked in town planning?
@@ThePaleBlueDot not town planning.... Read my first reply over again and you'll find out that I grew up in the vicinity, and my 2 greatest neighbours were a previous Chief Justice (Sir Timoci), current President- Ratu Wiliame, Fred Achari, Gyan Singh, then across the cul-de-sac were Ratu David Toganivalu, Ratu William Toganivalu, down the road from us was Major Josefa George....yeah all the big names back then. Not forgetting the late Ratu Soso Katonivere- Ratu of the current President of Fiji.
@@henrygrey346 yes, I saw that. I thought you might have been involved in town planning too. Sir Timoci Tuivaga was a very good friend of my father’s in London and again in Fiji. I remember his farewell speech as Chief Justice in the early 2000s. Very funny and wonderfully evocative.
Bula Azeem Thanks for the chat this afternoon (8/12/22) at Albert Park.
Cheers
My pleasure, my friend! I’m always so pleased to meet my followers on TH-cam. 😃😃✌🏽👍🏽👌🏽😎
Hello Azeem! Love what you’re doing uncovering the history about Fiji.
Just a question, have u done a video on the traditional Fijian fort in Pacific Harbor (that is used as a tourist attraction)??
Thank you! 😃👍🏽😎👌🏽
Is that fort the one that became part of the cultural centre in Pacific Harbour?
Fijian Villages had moats because it worked well in tracking spies either day or night and ambush. It allows the inhabitants to control the situation when under attack.
Fortification meant the protection of high-rank chiefs or the storage of something valuable either food especially yams or weapons. Fortifications were also used to lure attackers so attacks may be contained and threats or persons be eliminated thus stamping attacks on areas that are regarded more valuable. Fortification may also act as a lure and or a dread for an attack.
I know this because my village of Nasaqalau in Lakeba is currently nestled inside a moated space and it has 3 moated spaces in proximity to the village and used to be populated also... It is said chief and valuables were moved around within moated areas when warriors see it fit.
Lakeba is an island I would love to visit, especially Tubou, the unofficial capital.
You doing a fabulous job Azeem. I wonder what caused the warring years? Maybe Bau versus Rewa war. Or Rewa attacked Suva. There was one in Tailevu North I remember as a kid. All pre colonial when Fijians had yet been Christianised.
Thank you, Wayne. There were probably many causes: territorial, resources, old grievances, etc. The War of Nawaidamudamu at Laucala ring-ditch fortification happened in the mid 1700s and was the last known battle. It was fought between the people of Vutia who occupied the fort and whose territory it was and the people of Kalabu, Naitasiri. An estimated 300 people were slaughtered and the area and fort renamed “Nawaidamudamu”.
Why so small? Were they just a sub clan of the clan of Suva?
The one at Laucala Bay is certainly much smaller than the one off Service Street. Quite possibly a sub clan. The Service Street ring-ditch fortification is about 5 times bigger.
@@ThePaleBlueDot kindly appreciated the efforts you have put in towards the collection of facts beneath our rich history.
@@manasatawalesu391 Vinaka! 😃