Dakuwaqa, Protector of the Ocean (Fiji)
Retold by Patricia Mallam
Dakuwaqa, the Shark God, lived long ago in the seas of Fiji and was regarded as the most ferocious of all gods that protected the reefs and ocean. He was a shape-shifter and had the ability to morph into anything, even human beings. He was most ferocious in his natural state, a sleek yet powerful shark.
The young son of the god Tui Lakeba and goddess Liku Cava, Tokairahe, was skillful not just with his hands, but with magic which he used to create fishing hooks with supernatural abilities that were crafted using a special shell necklace. Hooks which gave him supreme rule over all the creatures of the ocean.
These magical hooks were cause for Dakuwaqa’s discontent, as it they heartlessly harvested fish, among other creatures from the depths of the ocean. All of the creatures of the ocean made their plea to Dakuwaqa, their guardian, to put an end to these hooks.
Dakuwaqa realized that these hooks could potentially be the end of him, if he did not act immediately. He was not too keen on surrendering to a man-made object and the threat to his rule enraged him to the point of action.
He carefully plotted what he would do to destroy this threat. Leaving home, he swam far to the island of Lakeba, in the southern Lau group. He waited patiently – observing everything which happened around the island, inside the reef and on the shore. Vigilantly he crafted his attack on Tokairahe.
It was on the third day of his sentry, when his patience was rewarded. Tokairahe was heading out to sea! The opportunity unfolding before him delighted Dakuwaqa immensely, yet he maintained his urge to jump out and devour the human god.
Tokairahe strode onto the white stretch of fine sand, adorned in nothing but the magical shell necklace which dangled from his neck and glimmered in the bright sunlight. Confidently, he dived into the ocean and with powerful strokes, swam towards the reef.
Almost ghost-like, Dakuwaqa sank to the bottom of the lagoon, and followed. He slithered through the water so fast that even his shadow was invisible. When he drew nearer to Tokairahe, he silently flipped over and swam directly beneath him for a brief moment, eyeing the magical hooks suspended on the man’s neck – taunting him.
Tokairahe could feel the spirit of the shark god around him, but before he could act to save the magical shell necklace, Dakuwaqa rose up high and grabbed it with his strong teeth and pulled it over the young man’s head. Within a moment he was gone. Leaving no trail as to which direction he had sped off in with the invaluable hooks.
With a heart-wrenching cry, Tokairahe attempted to follow the direction which he thought Dakuwaqa had set off in. His shell necklace was his prized possession and his despair caused his delay in reacting to the loss which had just befallen him.
Flying high above the ocean in the form of a kingfisher at that moment was Tokairahe’s childhood friend, Tui Vutu, another shapeshifter, who had seen everything that had just happened. From high up he could make out Dakuwaqa’s triangular fin slicing through the waves, headed for his home in Vanua Balavu.
Dakuwaqa was fast. But Tui Vutu’s wings took on a magical element as they pounded through the air, spurred on by his love for his friend Tokairahe who was in great despair. He had to recover the precious necklace.
In a moment he was directly above Dakuwaqa. His dark shadow caused Dakuwaqa to gaze up to the sky, and as he did, his jaw widened to reveal the precious necklace. Tui Vutu suddenly swooped downwards, snatching the necklace from Dakuwaqa’s jaw and hastened back to Lakeba, to his dear friend Tokairahe.
Tokairahe was overjoyed to have his precious necklace returned and ordained a special title upon his friend Tui Vutu, who became Mataivalu Kalou.
Time lapsed and years ebbed with the tides. Christianity came to the islands, as did the white-skinned palagis from distant lands. But the people of the Northern Isles in Lau maintained their allegiance to the traditions of their forefathers by taking gifts to Vanua Levu.
On one of the voyages of gift giving, a strong gale rose up in the Somosomo Strait, plundering the travelers including the chief of Mualevu, Akuila Toro and their sailing vessel with strong waves, causing it to plummet to the depths of the ocean. It wasn’t long before a large shadow rose from the abyss to save his people from drowning. It was Dakuwaqa. He had been following close behind, ensuring the safety of his people as they travelled across the Fijian seas.
He guided the travelers to safety, who in turn gave thanks to their God. Amongst the travelers was a Tongan, who refused to swear allegiance to the God of the Sea. He spat out an insulting curse.
It wasn’t long after that incident, as the Tongan crossed the ocean to return home, was eaten by a shark. This did not come as a surprise to those who were present when the Tongan had insulted Dakuwaqa, as it is common knowledge amongst Fijians that an insult is never forgotten by the Shark God.
Dakuwaqa, the Shark God, lived long ago in the seas of Fiji and was regarded as the most ferocious of all gods that protected the reefs and ocean. He was a shape-shifter and had the ability to morph into anything, even human beings. He was most ferocious in his natural state, a sleek yet powerful shark.
The young son of the god Tui Lakeba and goddess Liku Cava, Tokairahe, was skillful not just with his hands, but with magic which he used to create fishing hooks with supernatural abilities that were crafted using a special shell necklace. Hooks which gave him supreme rule over all the creatures of the ocean.
These magical hooks were cause for Dakuwaqa’s discontent, as it they heartlessly harvested fish, among other creatures from the depths of the ocean. All of the creatures of the ocean made their plea to Dakuwaqa, their guardian, to put an end to these hooks.
Dakuwaqa realized that these hooks could potentially be the end of him, if he did not act immediately. He was not too keen on surrendering to a man-made object and the threat to his rule enraged him to the point of action.
He carefully plotted what he would do to destroy this threat. Leaving home, he swam far to the island of Lakeba, in the southern Lau group. He waited patiently – observing everything which happened around the island, inside the reef and on the shore. Vigilantly he crafted his attack on Tokairahe.
It was on the third day of his sentry, when his patience was rewarded. Tokairahe was heading out to sea! The opportunity unfolding before him delighted Dakuwaqa immensely, yet he maintained his urge to jump out and devour the human god.
Tokairahe strode onto the white stretch of fine sand, adorned in nothing but the magical shell necklace which dangled from his neck and glimmered in the bright sunlight. Confidently, he dived into the ocean and with powerful strokes, swam towards the reef.
Almost ghost-like, Dakuwaqa sank to the bottom of the lagoon, and followed. He slithered through the water so fast that even his shadow was invisible. When he drew nearer to Tokairahe, he silently flipped over and swam directly beneath him for a brief moment, eyeing the magical hooks suspended on the man’s neck – taunting him.
Tokairahe could feel the spirit of the shark god around him, but before he could act to save the magical shell necklace, Dakuwaqa rose up high and grabbed it with his strong teeth and pulled it over the young man’s head. Within a moment he was gone. Leaving no trail as to which direction he had sped off in with the invaluable hooks.
With a heart-wrenching cry, Tokairahe attempted to follow the direction which he thought Dakuwaqa had set off in. His shell necklace was his prized possession and his despair caused his delay in reacting to the loss which had just befallen him.
Flying high above the ocean in the form of a kingfisher at that moment was Tokairahe’s childhood friend, Tui Vutu, another shapeshifter, who had seen everything that had just happened. From high up he could make out Dakuwaqa’s triangular fin slicing through the waves, headed for his home in Vanua Balavu.
Dakuwaqa was fast. But Tui Vutu’s wings took on a magical element as they pounded through the air, spurred on by his love for his friend Tokairahe who was in great despair. He had to recover the precious necklace.
In a moment he was directly above Dakuwaqa. His dark shadow caused Dakuwaqa to gaze up to the sky, and as he did, his jaw widened to reveal the precious necklace. Tui Vutu suddenly swooped downwards, snatching the necklace from Dakuwaqa’s jaw and hastened back to Lakeba, to his dear friend Tokairahe.
Tokairahe was overjoyed to have his precious necklace returned and ordained a special title upon his friend Tui Vutu, who became Mataivalu Kalou.
Time lapsed and years ebbed with the tides. Christianity came to the islands, as did the white-skinned palagis from distant lands. But the people of the Northern Isles in Lau maintained their allegiance to the traditions of their forefathers by taking gifts to Vanua Levu.
On one of the voyages of gift giving, a strong gale rose up in the Somosomo Strait, plundering the travelers including the chief of Mualevu, Akuila Toro and their sailing vessel with strong waves, causing it to plummet to the depths of the ocean. It wasn’t long before a large shadow rose from the abyss to save his people from drowning. It was Dakuwaqa. He had been following close behind, ensuring the safety of his people as they travelled across the Fijian seas.
He guided the travelers to safety, who in turn gave thanks to their God. Amongst the travelers was a Tongan, who refused to swear allegiance to the God of the Sea. He spat out an insulting curse.
It wasn’t long after that incident, as the Tongan crossed the ocean to return home, was eaten by a shark. This did not come as a surprise to those who were present when the Tongan had insulted Dakuwaqa, as it is common knowledge amongst Fijians that an insult is never forgotten by the Shark God.