Beqa
{{refimprove|date = June 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Beqa
| image_skyline = Beqa-island.jpg
| imagesize = 275px
| image_caption = Beqa
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| settlement_type = Island
| pushpin_map = Fiji
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Fiji
| coordinates = {{coord|18|24|S|178|08|E|region:FJ_type:isle|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint =
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| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Fiji
| subdivision_type1 = Island group
| subdivision_name1 = Viti Levu Group
| seat_type =
| seat =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 36.3
| area_note =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 440
| population_footnotes =
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
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| timezone1 =
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}}
Beqa ({{IPA|fj|mbeŋɡa}}, also known as Mbengga in English) is an island in Fiji, an outlier to the main island of Viti Levu, {{convert|10|km|mi|abbr=off}} to the south. The island has a land area of {{convert|36.3|km2|0|abbr=off}} and reaches a maximum elevation of {{convert|440|m|ft|abbr=off}}.{{cite journal |last1=Nunn |first1=Patrick D. |title=Coastal Geomorphology of the Beqa and Yanuca Islands, South Pacific Ocean, and Its Significance for the Tectonic History of the Vatulele-Beqa Ridge |journal=Pacific Science |date=October 1990 |volume=44 |issue=4 |pages=348–365 |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/5093913.pdf |access-date=1 August 2023 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |issn=0030-8870}} Beqa has 9 villages divided between 2 tikinas (districts): Sawau and Raviravi. To the west is the island of Yanuca.
The villages of Dakuibeqa (the chiefly village of the Sawau people), Dakuni, Soliyaga, Naceva and Naiseuseu are part of the tikina (district) of Sawau. The villages of Nawaisomo, Raviravi, Lalati and Rukua are part of the tikina (district) of Raviravi.
Tradition
Of the 9 villages on the island, Dakuibeqa, Dakuni, Soliyaga, Naceva, and Rukua are noted for the tradition of fire-walking.{{cite book | title=Science of Pacific Island Peoples: Education, language, patterns & policy | publisher=Institute of Pacific Studies | author=Burns, Georgette Leah | year=1994 | pages=29 | isbn=9820201071 |editor=R. J. Morrison |editor2=Paul A. Geraghty |editor3=Linda Crowl | chapter=Tourism Impact in Beqa | chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EpuRnl_ZJoQC&pg=PA29}}{{cite web | url=https://www.captaincookcruisesfiji.com/blog/what-is-firewalking-in-fiji/ | title=What is Firewalking in Fiji? | publisher=Captain Cook Cruises Fiji | date=February 15, 2016 | access-date=February 8, 2018 | author=Admin}} The phenomenon was examined in 1902 when it was already a tourist attraction, with a "Probable Explanation of the Mystery" arrived at.{{cite journal | url=http://rsnz.natlib.govt.nz/volume/rsnz_35/rsnz_35_00_001290.html | title=Art. XIII.—An Account of the Fiji Fire-walking Ceremony, or Vilavilairevo, with a Probable Explanation of the Mystery | author=Fulton, Robert | journal=Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute | year=1902 | volume=35 | pages=187–201}}
File:Vilavilairevo Beqa firewalkers.jpg - Traditional Beqa Firewalking]]
Energy
The Fiji Times reported on 25 February 2006 that over 3000 inhabitants of six villages and five resorts were exploring ways to find a reliable source of electricity for Beqa. Wind and solar power were being considered, as was a cable across Beqa Strait from the mainland.
Economy
Beqa's main source of income is tourism; it has 4 resorts: Lawaki Beach House, Beqa Lagoon Resort (formerly Marlin Bay Resort), Kulu Bay Resort, Lalati Resort. Additionally, Royal Davui Resort is located on an Islet off Beqa, Steward Island. No other resorts are planned for Beqa.
There is some small scale farming ventures and with improved infrastructure this could be expanded and become a larger revenue earner for the various villages of Beqa.
Beqa has developed a name for off season tomatoes, due to the unique climate Beqa has which allows tomatoes to be planted year round.
Notable people
- Sainimili Naivalu, wheelchair table tennis medalist and disability rights activist.
- Elina Nasaudrodro, Fijian international judōka, originally from Dakuni village{{Cite news |date=22 April 2004 |title=Judokas secure Olympic ticket |work=Fiji Times |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bwh&AN=200404221044144045&lang=en-gb&site=eds-live&scope=site |access-date=2022-09-07 |via=EBSCOHost}}
See also
{{Portal|Islands|Oceania|Geography}}
References
{{Viti Levu}}
{{Islands of Fiji}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Fiji-geo-stub}}