The launching of the Tata vs Sabeto dictionary at their village community hall in Sabeto Village. Photo: LUKE NACEI
By LUKE NACEI
In a bid to help strengthen the Sabeto language, culture and identity, a TATA va Sabeto dictionary was launched at the Sabeto village community hall.
This project began in early 2015 from two reinforcing desires, Pauliasi Natabe’s vision of building a Sabeto Museum to preserve and educate about the culture and history of Sabeto, and Tom Couright’s personal desire to learn the Tata va Sabeto language.
US Peace Corps country director Fiji, Dennis McMahon while launching the Tata va Sabeto dictionary said the dictionary would be of great boost to the people of Sabeto.
“This is not only a gift to the people of Sabeto or to Fiji but the whole world. All language has a unique quality,” Mr McMahon said.
“It is special to pass this gift from the elders to the children, many of the children will not value the gift of this book yet or for even many years to come.”
Mr McMahon said westernisation is the biggest contributor the lost in culture and traits.
“This dictionary connects us human beings and allows us to exchange ideas. Sabeto is advanced compared to other communities in Fiji,” he said.
Mr Natabe was the administrator for the village dance group, the Kabu Kei Conu, performing traditional dances for tourist groups where as Mr Courtright was a Peace Corps Volunteer placed at Sabeto District School.
Don as he is commonly to known to said the Tata va Sabeto is vanishing and is being replaced by the Bauan or the standard Fijian dialect as well as the Nadi dialect.
He said language is essentially a means of communication among the members of a society.
“In the expression of culture, language is a fundamental aspect. It is the tool that conveys traditions and values related to group identity,” he said.
Mr Courtright who has been living in Sabeto since November 2014 said he loved the idea of creating a Tata va Sabto dictionary.
“This work started more than a year ago, when Don approached me about building a Sabeto Museum, “e lia na were me maroroi kena varau qate iyau vasabeto.” I loved the idea,” he said.
“We went to a Peace Corps workshop together on project design and management in April, and both learned a lot about what it takes to plan and carry out a successful project.
“The Sabeto Museum was however, perhaps a little ambitious we realized we would likely need around $75,000 to build and fill the museum with cultural goods. Don and I knew, we still wanted to find a way to help preserve and keep the culture of Sabeto, and soon we on the perfect idea-a Sabeto Dictionary, e lia na ivolatata va Sabeto.
Chef Editor Mr Meli Tora said it was vital to keep track of the original and true Tata va Sabeto.
“If our language is lost then we will lose the cultural history of Betoraurau. The elders and the youths must work together to preserve and promote the use of our language,” he said.
Momolevu na Tui Sabeto Ratu Tevita Susu Natitoga during the endorsement said: “The dictionary is an important milestone in the preservation of our language. We can only hope that many more cultural realms in Fiji shall be able to produce their own dictionary in order to protect their district cultural interests and preserve their languages,”
“This is the best way we can empower future generations to continue to produce authentically Fijian culture,” he said.
The dictionary officially registers 1600 words and is published by Tuwawa Publishing.
Elders who participated in reading through and correcting the furst draft of the dictionary, and meeting to discuss further corrections:
Ratu Avisai Tora Momo na Taukei Waruta, Vuniani Sovau, Mereoni Dilolevu, Salote Vibote, Sailasa Niusama, Jolame Gaugau, Livai Saukuru, Vela Tawake, Ratu Kilione Kubu, Petaia Tawake, Mataiasi Ramatau, Napolioni Vasu, Taniela Naika, Ilisoni Galala, Amueli Nadavo, Emosi Qonitoga, Temalesi Daveta.