Like runway models lining up for the catwalk, about a half-dozen Fijian warriors wait their turn to deliberately saunter barefoot over a pile of scorching rocks.

The product of an ancient legend rather than a circus sideshow, Fijian fire walking trace its roots to Beqa, a remote island off the coast of Viti Levu.

As the legend goes, more than 500 years ago the ability to walk on fire was given to a warrior named Tui-na-Iviqalita as reparation for sparing the life of a spirit god while fishing for eels. Only the members of his tribe, the Sawau tribe from Beqa, could perform the ceremony. Today, the descendants of these warriors carry on the tradition, observing the same strict rules of taboo as their ancestors.

Ten days prior to the ceremony, participants segregate themselves from females and refrain from eating coconut. Traditionally, once the fire pit is dug, the tribe collects large river stones and places them in the pit. Six to eight hours before the ceremony, a log fire is built over the top of the stones, heating them up.

Aside from Beqa, Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji on Viti Levu’s Coral Coast is the easiest place for visitors to watch the fire walkers. The resort recently built a special viewing area, the Butu Vatu Fire Walking Arena, for up to 200 guests.