Nasaqalau

Nasaqalau is one of eight villages on the island of Lakeba, in Fiji's Lau archipelago.

The original inhabitants of Lakeba Island are those that reside in Nasaqalau. Later inhabitants to the village came from Waimaro of the Dreketi clan through Matuku and on to Nasaqalau. Those with the "Tupua" surname were among the later inhabitants to Nasaqalau.

Shark calling for yearly feast (saukakana)

One clan in Nasaqalau, whose ancestors came from the village of Wainikeli on the island of Taveuni, is famous for its ability to call sharks from the sea. An annual ceremony, led by a bete (Fijian traditional priest) is performed every October or November. For several days, offerings of kava are made. On the actual day, a caller wades neck-high in the water and chants. Within 30 minutes, a white shark would appear, leading a school of about fifty other sharks. It would encircle the caller who then leads them out to shallow waters to be slaughtered with nothing else but coconut branches. The white shark is not slaughtered and is allowed to go free.

The last call

The last shark call was done in 1948 by Adi Mere Fifita Latu Tuilakeba of the Dreketi clan. This was witnessed by many of the villagers including her niece Luisa Lavenia Segawekana, also known as Luisa Tupua (14 May 1938– 17 June 2010), who recalled her instruction that the shark calling ritual must not be practised again because it had become obsolete, with some reverting to paganism through the worship of the Shark God.

The caves

Nasaqalau is also known for several caves in the vicinity of the village. Oso Nabukete, also known as the Pregnant Women's Cave, is the most famous of these. According to legend, a woman attempting to hide her pregnancy will not be able to pass through the mouth of the cave. It is adjoined by Qara Bulu which was once used as a dungeon for prisoners in times of tribal war. A third cave, Koro ni Vono, was once used as a place of confinement for tuberculosis patients who were left there to die.

Address protocol and title

The title of the headman is Naseuvou vua na Tui Natokalau.

The political takeover

The traditional authority of the Nasaqalau people has been weakened through the political takeover and the corresponding weakening the political significance of the Tui Nasaqalau. This move was orchestrated by the then Tui Nayau, Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba, with the aid of the colonial government.