7 January 1998 The Flowers that DisappearedJan 31, 2023
Master Francis and Agnes Ram and their family left Fiji and settled near Wellington after the 1987 coup d’etat in Fiji. They went regularly to weekday Mass. They also grew flowers in their garden and were happy to place a bunch of bright yellow marigolds (genda phul) on the altar of the church. Read more
29 September 1984 The RCIA SessionJan 31, 2023
Kashi Ram was lucky to be accepted into Xavier College, Ba in 1954, in only the second year of its existence. There were no other secondary schools in the Ba area at that time. He lived in the village of Moto, about 8 miles from Ba town. His parents were very religious Hindus. Read more
25 June 1977 A Sixth SenseJan 31, 2023
Archbishop Mataca and his entourage of 5 priests and 50 catechists left the village of Nabutautau after saying a Mass of Reconciliation requested by the villagers whose ancestors had murdered Rev. Baker in 1867. We hiked along the trail until we came to the village of Namoli where we rested for lunch.… Read more
June 1982 Distortions of HistoryJan 31, 2023
Election fever is at a high pitch. Just a couple of weeks to go. Ordinary people are usually fearful in the run-up to any election in Fiji. Campaigning always becomes racial. The politicians try to get their own community behind them by warning of the dangers of the other party winning. This year is… Read more
July 1976 Dreaming the Spirits in NacamakiJan 31, 2023
A week ago, I heard on the coconut wireless that two men here in Nacamaki village had noticed a small shark in shallow water off the coast. They quickly took shovels from their houses and moved out for the kill. Apparently, they were successful. Read more
27/12/2020 A CHAIN OF WOUNDSJan 31, 2023
A sick and aged man was looked after for many years by his son and daughter-in-law. However, as the years passed their patience waned. One night the son put his father on his shoulders and carried him towards the well behind their house. “Please don’t throw me in that well, anywhere else but not there,”… Read more
GOSSIP ON THE WAY TO EASTER DINNEROct 28, 2022
Christmas and Easter are occasions of feasting for Fijian extended families. Whole pigs,
chickens and root crops are cooked in earth ovens. A long table cloth is spread the
length of the house or verandah with places set on both sides. Read more
