It was a joyous moment for the villagers of Nukubalavu in Savusavu, Vanua Levu, as they welcomed home their hero and son, Iowane Teba, who was part of the Olympic Games silver medal-winning Fiji Men’s 7s side that returned home over the weekend.
Children and women lined up on the streets of the village, waving their Fiji flags and cheering as the motorcade passed through the village. The women of the village, holding different materials, led the motorcade.
An iTaukei tradition called “Cere” filled the village with fun and laughter as Teba ran through the crowd to collect and find his Tabua. According to villager Wane Lodoviko, Teba is the first Nukubalavu villager to participate in the Olympic Games and also the first to win a medal.
A meal was served at the village hall and the celebration was blessed with the presence of Tui Nasavusavu. He says the two mataqalis in the village had agreed to hold a celebration to welcome their hero home. Wane says the festivity was also a way for the villagers to thank Teba for the great work done at the Olympics and for bringing glory to the people of Nukubalavu. He added that the celebration would continue throughout the weekend.
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