Fiji

FIJI Post-Disaster Needs Assessment
Intangible Cultural Heritage: The sustainability of traditional knowledge and intangible heritage of local cultures rests on
the transmission of the latter from the bearer or keeper to the younger generation. Intangible Cultural Heritage defines the
culture of the Fijian people, and research and documentation in Fiji’s 14 provinces helps in the continuity of age old cultures
and traditions. The data is stored in the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs’ National iTaukei Database for Traditional Knowledge and
Expressions (NTDTKE).
Repositories of Heritage: Fiji has a collection of built repositories housing numerous collections of art, artefacts and
documentary heritage, among others, 12 of which were identified for assessment, including the Fiji Museum, Ba Museum,
National Archives of Fiji and various art galleries.
Cultural Industries: Cultural industries are important for wealth creation, growth, sustainable development and social
security. Fijian cultural industries feature local musicians, traditional handcraft, Fiji Fashion Week, Fiji visual arts, local media
and advertising. The production and promotion of cultural goods and services significantly improves the quality of life of
people.
Assessment of Disaster Effects on the Culture and Heritage Sector (F$6 million)
Culture and heritage have high symbolic value and mirror a nation incorporating elements ranging from built and intangible
heritage to documentary heritage, repositories of heritage and cultural producers and products (which encompasses the
cultural industries). TC Winston caused damage in provinces that feature a significant proportion of Fiji’s cultural heritage
assets and associated activities.
With the limited baseline information available, the cyclone damage assessment for the sector aimed to be a strategic
rather than an exhaustive evaluation of the destruction. The assessment was province-based and later aggregated to
divisional levels. The main provinces that were adversely affected included: Ba, Ra and Nadroga in the Western Division;
Bua, Cakaudrove and Macuata in the Northern Division; Lau and Lomaiviti in the Eastern Division; and Rewa in the Central
Division.
Levuka Historical Port Town (Levuka, Ovalau Island, Lomaiviti Province, Eastern Division): The cyclone has left Fiji’s built
heritage at a crossroads in the damage-affected regions and there is the risk of loss of original structures and materials at
the Levuka World Heritage Site. While 70 percent of the heritage buildings in Levuka experienced minor damage, some
did sustain major damage: 20 percent are uninhabitable or unusable without repair; 7 percent require major repairs; and 3
percent are damaged, beyond repair. These buildings, such as the Pacific American Fish Company Copra Sheds and Ports
Building, still hold heritage values, yet must be reconstructed to ensure their integrity is protected. Little damage occurred
to channels and bridges, but the seawall along Beach Street and the main wharf in Levuka suffered significant damage.
Major damage was also sustained by the Catholic Churches at St. Johns College, and Nasuku at Cawaci. While there was
less financial loss than expected, few businesses had to close while awaiting repairs to buildings. Despite this, the Levuka
Wharf is closed for use, and the restoration budget set by the Department of Heritage and Arts for Levuka was diverted
towards salvaging operations to recover materials onsite and ‘first-aid’ assistance for building owners. There is also the
potential of loss in the movement of significant heritage collections/items stored within damaged buildings.
Navala Cultural Space (Navala Village, Ba Province, Western Division): Strong winds severely affected most of the bures.
Twenty-five bures suffered minor damage but are still habitable; 39 bures are currently uninhabitable and require minor
repairs to be habitable; 30 bures sustained major damage and will require extensive repairs before they become habitable;
and 32 bures are permanently damaged and require reconstruction. Navala Village also pursues a small-scale cultural
tourism venture, which is a major source of developmental income for the site.
Cultural and Natural Heritage Sites: Many of the built and natural heritage, including archaeological features of Makogai
Research Station, were damaged by the cyclone including the old cleansing facility for leprosy patients. Associate
accommodation structures owned by the Department of Fisheries were also severely damaged resulting in reduced visitors
to the site. In Western Fiji, the Tavuni Hill Fort Archaeological Site was severely affected during the cyclone, including
the uprooting of trees, village railing posts and a bure shelter. The site was closed for clearing of debris and there were
restrictions on visitor access. Similarly, the Bouma National Heritage Park in Taveuni suffered damage to visitor facilities,
tracks and other infrastructure, which hindered visitor arrivals.
Intangible Cultural Heritage and Repositories of Heritage: The PDNA assessment drew from the Ministry of iTaukei
Affairs’s NTDTKE data in the cyclone-affected provinces (the district of Vanua Balavu in Lau, the district of Koro in Lomaiviti
and the entire province of Ra) in order to assess the effects on intangible cultural heritage. Damage concentrated on: raw
materials necessary to fuel the production of costumes for rituals, prepare herbal medicine, etc.; totemic plants/trees; and
crops and animals important for rituals and ceremonies. The loss of these important cultural agents has the potential to:
contribute to the deterioration of cultural values of people; diminish sanctification of taboo areas; impact on social and
cultural rituals, ceremonies and rites; and, in the worst cases, lead to a relocation of village sites and inhabitants.
Tropical Cyclone Winston, February 20, 2016
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