Villagers urged to get rid of 'kerekere' culture
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Villagers have been urged to move away from the 'kerekere' system Taken from / By: Google
Strategic Framework for Change Coordinating Office representative Kisoko Cagituevei made these comments at the Ra Provincial Council meeting in Nanukuloa yesterday.
He says the culture of ‘kerekere’ has become synonymous with the indigenous Fijians and it’s a stumbling block for development.
We, at TFF would like to know what data Cagituevei has that proves that our culture of "kerekere" is a stumbling block for our development. We cannot IGNORE our culture and think that ridding of such practices will magically make us all successful. Successful in what or whose terms?
Cagituevei stressed that provincial councils should now preach the gospel of development to its people and to move away from the usual exchange of motions that normally fill the two-day meeting.
He says provincial councils should align themselves with Government’s development programs. Well this is more of the regime's propaganda than anything that is proactive and sustainable in the long term. Cagituevei should tell us then that him and his family has never ever gone to another to "kerekere" in their whole lifetime. That is totally unbelievable. Our customs and our culture and traditions make us who we are as a people. You cannot just come in and bulldoze your ideals and think it will work. Never! It takes time, changes in attitudes and minds, and most importantly one that the people will know will change for the better for them. Kerekere is here to stay, whether you like it or not.
Cagituevei also called on the people of Ra to use land for economic purposes. More like sell it off to the highest bidder and never to see them again for their own use for their future generations to come.
Fiji Broadcasting Corporation
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