When he thought he caught an eel, he actually caught a spirit god. In exchange for his freedom, the spirit god gave the man the power over fire. To prove the power over fire, the spirit god dug a pit and filled it with stones. He lit the stones on fire until they were white hot and walked on the stones. The man tried to walk on the fire and felt no pain. This power was passed down from generation to generation, and everyone who is a part of the Sawau tribe, including the people from Dakuibeqa, has the power over fire. The tribe still takes part in the fire-walking ceremonies today.
No one really knows why or how this tradition became something of fame, but everyone from Beqa embraces it and is very proud to come from the island of the fire-walkers. Whenever I traveled in other parts of Fiji and mentioned that I lived in Beqa, people always began talking about the fire-walking.
Today in Beqa, the fire-walking ceremonies are not held very frequently, other than to celebrate occasions for special guests. At the resorts on Beqa, the fire walking ceremonies are performed usually twice a week by trained professionals.
Medical professionals have tried to explain this tradition, but they have been unable to figure out how they have developed this power.
The fire walking pits are very similar to the lovo pits. The fire pits are made with things from nature, such as stones. The traditional clothes the Beqans wear during the ceremonies are all made from natural materials, mostly just large leaves woven together.
