Nananu-i-Ra is an

island An island (or isle) is an isolated piece of habitat that is surrounded by a dramatically different habitat, such as water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, skerries, cays or keys. An island ...

Fiji Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...

about 3 kilometers off the north coast of the main island of

Viti Levu Viti Levu (pronounced ) is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji. It is the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population. Geology Fiji lies in a tectonically complex area between the Australian P ...

, near the town of

Rakiraki Rakiraki () is a district in Fiji's Ra Province. It is located between Tavua and Korovou when travelling along the Kings Road, on the northern coast of Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island. At the 1996 census, the Rakiraki district had a population ...

Ra Province Ra is one of the fourteen provinces of Fiji. Occupying the northern area of Viti Levu, the largest island, it is one of eight Viti Levu-based Provinces. With a land area of 1341 square kilometers, it had a population of 30,432 at the 2017 census. ...

. The island is 3.5 square kilometers and has a maximum elevation of 180 meters. The name "Nananu-I-Ra" means "Daydream of the West" in Fijian.

Fijian mythology Fijian mythology refers to the set of beliefs practiced by the indigenous people of the island of Fiji. Its gods include Degei, a serpent who is the supreme god of Fiji. He is the creator of the (Fijian) world. He judges newly dead souls after the ...

holds that Nananu-I-Ra is the point of departure for disembodied spirits leaving this world for the afterlife. The highest peak and lookout point on the eastern side bears the remnants of an ancient settlement complete with fractured and decorated pottery in low-lying areas and the legend of mythical creatures. Tribal-era fish traps were the main source of food and still exist in some places on Nananu-i-Ra. The island holds an immense geopolitical importance as it is located between the ports and landing points between Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Nananu-i-Ra is privately owned. The nearest township is Rakiraki. A full report is available from Town and Country Planning Fiji that describes the ecology and natural aspects of Nananu-i-Ra. Wind turbines are the preferred energy source to power most residents' homes. Neighbouring islands include Dolphin Island and Nananu-i-Cake Island.

External links

*
www.nananu.me
Islands of Fiji Viti Levu Ra Province Fijian mythology Private islands of Fiji {{Fiji-geo-stub