Sikeli Nailauota, a resident of Naqali in Naitasiri, embodies a life dedicated to his community and ancestral values. Serving as the matanivanua, or chiefly herald and spokesman, this profound commitment was cultivated through a lineage that has shaped his identity and purpose.
Returning to his village in 1962 with his family after his father’s tenure at the Vatukoula gold mines, Sikeli’s early education began in Vatukoula and continued in Naqali before he attended Sila Secondary School in Nausori. In 1998, he joined the Fiji Police Force, dedicating six years to service before retiring in 2005. His transition into village leadership followed, as the community honored him with the title of turaga ni koro, a role he accepted with humility.
While serving as turaga ni koro, Sikeli found himself yearning for more fulfilling work beyond administrative tasks. “I told myself I was still in my prime,” he shared, propelling him to pursue studies at the Fiji National University in welding and fabrication. This new venture opened doors to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, where Sikeli became part of the engineering corps.
Through his experiences on various construction sites, he honed practical skills in carpentry, engineering, and architectural drafting, despite lacking formal qualifications. These skills have proven invaluable, allowing him to design detailed house plans and undertake multiple private construction jobs around Suva. He built his own home in Davuilevu and is currently enhancing his parents’ residence in Naqali—a project he considers a personal duty of love.
Sikeli advocates for retired professionals to return to their villages and share their wealth of knowledge, emphasizing that every Fijian has a vital role in maintaining their village structure. “Every Fijian has a role in the village structure. It must be maintained,” he asserts, urging elders to provide solid examples for the youth to ensure the continuity of solesolevaki, or communal cooperation.
With a heartfelt belief that everyone will eventually find their way home, Sikeli highlights the significance of itavi vakavanua, or fulfilling traditional obligations, urging collective responsibility within the community. His journey is a testament to the importance of service, the transmission of knowledge, and the values that bind communities together in Fiji.