LOMANIKORO, REWA, FIJI

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The main street of Lomanikoro from my mothers window. Cars are not alowed in Lomanikoro and most of Rewa, so wide roads are not needed. Behind the man holding the baby is a bolabola built for people coming to the funeral. They were built all over Lomanikoro. There is even one beside my mothers home.

My stepson Steven Cook on the right. The others are friends from Seattle.

This is the traditional welcome. Yagana is presented to you and then mixed and you are offered a drink of it in welcome.

My mother Tima will accept the Yangana for you. In this case it is what is called waka (the root) the best part of the pepper tree.

The boys will take it outside and cut it up, then pound it until it is powder and right for mixing.