LAND OF THE FIREWALKERS

Format: 16mm

Description: The Land of the Firewalkers is a short silent film about a visit to Beqa (or Mbeqa), Fiji to observe the fabled firewalkers (presumably the Sawau people). The film appears to capture a day of traditional life on Beqa, as villagers prepare for a fishing expedition by harvesting vines to make ropes (00:40) then eat lunch, complete with coconuts (01:33) and snakes (02:45). After the meal, the villagers move into the water by boat (03:20) or by wading (03:58), while children play in the water and look on. One villager shows off part of the harvest, holding a large fish (04:21). Villagers then begin work for the fire-walking ceremony by preparing the pit (05:10) with wood and rocks. A villager announces the ceremony by blowing on a conch shell (06:10). Men make final preparations for the pit (06:47), then the fabled firewalkers perform their feat (07:40).

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