Na Loga Voivoi Nei Bubu Salote – The Pandanus Plantation of Grandmother Salote

'Na Loga Voivoi nei Bubu Salote – The Pandanus Plantation of Grandmother Salote' is a Fiji Children's book written entirely in Fijian for children aged 8 years old. Written by the late Mrs. Tuipulotu Vugakoto, from RFTA - Retired Fijian Teachers Association, with illustrations by Anare Somumu. It has 21 pages.

This book was written by Fijian teachers for teachers or parents - its intended use is in a classroom setting which is why it is A3 size with large font and bright illustrations. It can be placed on an easel in the front of the classroom and read to children who can view easily. It can also be enjoyed at home or anywhere outside of the classroom where children would want to read or hear Fijian stories.

Na Loga Voivoi nei Bubu Salote Book Description

The story takes us through the steps of how to weave mats of different kinds, starting with harvesting the pandanus (voivoi) leaves, boiling and putting them out in the sun to dry. The green colour gives way to a beige-whitish colour. They are then scraped with a sharp mussel shell to soften them. They are put in round coils ready for weaving.

Once a mat is weaved, the edge of the mat is then embroidered with brightly coloured wool. The work is onerous and painstaking. To make the work easier to handle, close relatives and friends usually pitch in and help in the different stages.

The story stresses the values of togetherness, working together as a unit, strengthening of relationships, etc.

IIS, RFTA & FTA - 10 books in the series

This series of 10 books has been put together by the Institute of Indigenous Studies (IIS) Fiji Ltd, which, in the main, is made up of RFTA (retired Fijian Teachers Association- teachers who have retired from teaching). RFTA is a Branch of Fijian Teachers Association, FTA.

All IIS books in this series

• Na Keda Vuata - Our Fruits
• Na Loga Ni Voivoi Nei Bubu Salote - The Pandanus Plantation of Grandmother Salote
• Na Qoli Vonu - Catching Turtles
• Jone Na Dautataro - Jone The Kind Considerate Boy
• O Mosese Kei Viliame - Mosese & Viliame
• Na Siganisucu Nei Marica - Marica’s Birthday
• O Iratou Na Veitavaleni - The Three Cousins
• O Tomu Kei Popi - Tom & Poppy
• Na Volivolitaki Ena Makete - Selling at the Market
• Na Sisi Ni Qele - Landslide

English notes that explain the illustrations and Fijian text

Fiji Author - Late Tuipulotu Bulivou Vugakoto

From Tubou, Lakeba in Lau. She taught in many primary and secondary schools around Fiji. When she retired in 2000 she was the Senior Education Officer (Fijian language) in the Curriculum Development Unit of the Ministry of Education. After retirement, she continued helping children with their reading in both Fijian and English. In her final five years she joined the Institute of Indigenous Studies where she continued to write short stories for primary schools and played a key role in the promoting of language, culture and heritage issues. She obtained a B.A degree from USP.