Case file · Cryptid
Dakuwaqa surfaces under a cutter
Fijian tradition tells of Dakuwaqa, a shark god who became Kadavu's protector; in a story published in 1970, a cutter nearly capsized when a huge shark-headed creature rose beneath it until the crew poured kava into the sea.
1970 CE · -19.05, 178.20 · status: legend
The account
In the Kadavu myth the octopus goddess Rokobakaniceva pulled out Dakuwaqa's teeth until he promised never to attack the island. Fishermen made offerings to him before going to sea.
The sceptical view
The sighting comes from a single published anecdote by C. W. Whonsbon-Aston; whale sharks or whales could explain such encounters.