THE GUIDE - Rough Guide to Fiji - page 180

The Nakauvadra Range and around
Around 25km east of Tavua is the turn-off for the impeccably sterile bottling plant for Fiji
Water ( fijiwater.com ) , which since its inception in 1996 has become Fiji's most recog-
nized global brand. The company was set up by Canadian billionaire David Gilmour and sold
for a massive profit in 2004 to an American investor. Water is sourced from an artesian well
fed from the legendary Nakauvadra Range , said to be the home of Degei, the most powerful
of Fijian gods .
DEGEI, GOD OF GODS
Near the summit of Uluda, the northern peak of the Nakauvadra Mountains, is a cave. It is
no ordinary cave, for it is said that Degei , the most important god in Fijian folklore, resides
here. To the early Fijians, Degei was the creator of the world, creator of men and god of
anger and war. He took the form of a snake and, when he moved, the earth shook. Noise
irritated him so the bats were chased away from the cave, birds were ordered to sleep away
from the summit and the waves crashing onto the nearby reef were silenced. Throughout
Fiji, and particularly on Viti Levu, the snake god ruled supreme and was offered the first
bowl of yaqona as a matter of respect. In the hills of Viti Levu you may still see the first
bowl of grog poured outside in his honour.
Navatu Hill
Seven kilometres before Rakiraki is a fabulous roadside viewpoint overlooking the rocky
volcanic plug of Navatu Hill with an ancient fortification perched on its summit - there's a
rough trail on the east side of the hill leading to the top with its panoramic view. The multi-
unit hill fort was used as a defence from the fearsome Udre Udre , a chief from Rakiraki
who folklore recalls ate nothing but human flesh. You can see Udre Udre's grave beside the