INTRODUCTION
A country with almost 900,000 people, Fiji is made up of a diverse population with indigenous Fijian (i-Taukei), Indian, European, Chinese and other South Pacific heritage. Despite their varied cultural backgrounds, locals are collectively referred to as Fijians.
English is Fiji’s official language, but you’ll often find that most people are bilingual - speaking Fijian or Hindustani as well.Fiji’s religious beliefs reflect its multiculturalism. Christianity, Hinduism and Islam are peacefully practiced alongside each other.
From the moment you arrive in Fiji, you’ll notice that music and song are a big part of everyday life. You will receive a big ‘Bula’ welcome and certainly feel you have arrived somewhere special. The Fijian people are renowned for their warmth and friendliness which is exemplified in expressions of their love of life and their genuine infectious and enthusiastic hospitality.
Fiji’s culture is predominantly portrayed through indigenous traditions and values which visitors to the archipelago will witness through the food, music, local encounters, events and customary arts.
You’ll also experience the cultural “meke”, with each performance usually telling a story of history, love or legend. This will be in addition to the “Sevusevu”, which is a ceremony seeking formal permission and admission onto village lands that requires a gift of kava roots to the village chief. Fijians take great pride in their meke performance and the quality is exceptionally high.
Outside hotels and resorts, people dress modestly - even more so when visiting a local village. We recommend visiting one with a tour guide as there are many traditional protocols to be observed. You will learn more on this in this chapter.
WHAT CONSTITUTES CULTURE IN FIJI
1. HISTORY
According to a Fijian legend, the great Chief Lutunasobasoba led his people across the seas on his double-hulled canoe (Drua) with the purpose of finding a mythological island created by the Gods where his people could rest after years of wandering. Their quest led them to a new land, which we now know as Fiji.
While details between local lore and academic histories differ in colour and context, all agree Fiji was first settled about 3,500 years ago by the "Lapita people" who most likely originated in SE Asia and settled the South Pacific islands in migrational waves. These ‘Lapita’ people were highly skilled sailors and developed a society in the Pacific islands long before the arrival of Europeans in the region.
The European discoveries of the Fiji group were accidental. The first of these discoveries was made in 1643 by the Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman and English navigators, including Captain James Cook who sailed through in 1774 and made further explorations in the 18th century. Major credit for the discovery and recording of the islands went to Captain William Bligh who sailed through Fiji after the mutiny on the Bounty in 1789. The first Europeans to land and live among the Fijians were shipwrecked sailors and runaway convicts from the Australian penal settlements, followed by sandalwood traders and missionaries who arrived by the mid-19th century.
In the 1830s Levuka, on Ovalau, became a major port in the South Pacific for traders.
Cannibalism practised in Fiji at that time quickly disappeared as missionaries gained influence. When Ratu Seru Cakobau accepted Christianity in 1854, the rest of the country soon followed and tribal warfare came to an end.
After much debate Ratu Seru Cakobau and 12 other chiefs ceded Fiji to Queen Victoria and Britain as a colony to the British Empire on 10th October 1874 in Levuka, which was proclaimed Fiji’s first capital. The government was officially moved to Suva in 1882.
From 1879 to 1916 the British brought Indians to Fiji as indentured labourers to work on the sugar and copra plantations. The indentured system was abolished in 1920 and many labourers stayed on as independent farmers and businessmen. To date, Indo-Fijians are one of the major ethnicities that make up a multi-cultural Fiji.
After 96 years as a British colony, Fiji became independent on 10th October 1970, adopting a British model of parliament with two houses. Independence was achieved in a peaceful way and celebrated with a ceremony in Albert Park, Suva which Prince Charles as the representative of the Crown attended. In 2020 Fiji celebrated 50 years of independence.
2. LANGUAGE
English is the official language in Fiji.
1. i-Taukei
The i-taukei language has many dialects that are representative of the 14 provinces in the Fiji Islands; however, the Bauan dialect is widely spoken.
Below is a quick reference guide to the consonant pronunciation:
b is ‘mb’ as in remember
c is ‘th’ as in then
d is ‘nd’ as in candy
g is ‘ng’ as in sing
q is ‘g’ as in great
Did you know…
- that “Bula” can mean many things? Hello; cheers or good health.
2. Fiji-Hindi
Fijians of Indian descent speak a distinctive Fiji-Hindi dialect, which is vastly different from the Hindi spoken in India.
i-Taukei Vocabulary and Expressions
Bilibili - Raft made of bamboo poles lashed together with vines. Bilibili are usually used for river transport.
Bilo - Cup
Bula - Hello (i-Taukei greeting ; also means life, good health and cheers)
Bula Marau - Happy life
Bulanaire - Person rich in happiness
Bure - Traditional i-Taukei house/hut made of natural materials such as hardwood posts, stones, bamboo, sinnet, ferns and thatched reeds.
Camakau - There is no literal translation in English. It is a single hulled sailing boat with outrigger.
Cola Riki, Cola Vina, Bula Re, Malo Bula - Different ways of greetings or saying hello that is representative of the province in Fiji that a person is from
Dalo - Colocasia esculenta is a starchy tropical root crop staple in Pacific Island cuisine. Otherwise known as Taro (or Dalo in the i-Taukei vernacular)
Drua - Over a century ago, the traditional double hulled ‘Drua’ sailing craft were revered throughout the Pacific for their superior size, speed and agility. The largest recorded was 30 metres (98 ft) long and could carry more than 200 warriors into war. Drua’s do not tack but rather shunt, allowing the craft to nimbly change direction. The last remaining Drua - the Ratu Finau – is displayed at the Fiji Museum in Suva. An exact replica of this – with a few modifications – is used for daytrips by the ‘Drua Experience’ in Vuda, Nadi.
Duavata - A strong spirit of unity. Signifies harmony. Often used to express the spirit of working together for a common outcome.
Io - Yes
i-Sevusevu - A traditional protocol practiced to mark the time and place for visitors/ guests to seek acceptance into a Fijian village.
i-Taukei - Indigenous Fiji Islander
Kava / Yaqona - A root of the Piper methysticum plant normally sundried before it is pounded into fine powder. Locally referred to as Yaqona
Kerekere - Please
Kokoda - A traditional i-Taukei raw fish dish similar to ‘ceviche’, made by ‘cooking’ raw boneless cubed fish pieces in a lemon/lime marinade.
Koro - Village
Lolo - Coconut milk that has been cooked and added to popular Fijian dishes.
Loloma - Love, pity, affection, caring. It is the act of showing love, care and affection.
Lomani - It describes the feeling of being loved and cared for.
Lovo - A traditional form of cooking using an underground earth-oven. Meats such as chicken, pork and fish are tightly wrapped in a weave of palm fronds or banana leaves and placed on top root crops (such as cassava and taro) and rows of hot stones before being buried to cook slowly.
Marau - Happiness
Masi - A traditional material which is made from the bark of the paper mulberry tree (Broussonetia papyrifera) and used traditionally in house decorations or traditional attire during rituals and ceremonies.
Matavuvale - Household, family. Vuvale is short form for ‘matavuvale’. Strong sense of close kinship ties that is enforced through blood relations or marriage.
Meke - Traditional i-Taukei dance
Miti - Coconut milk (usually freshly squeezed) from grated coconut.
Moce | Ni Sa Moce | Moce mada - Farewell. Used to signify the conclusion of a dialogue or gathering of people in a particular location.
Nama - A type of edible green algae (Caulerpa sp.) commonly referred to as sea grapes because of their resemblance in form. A popular salad dish in Fiji and other parts of the Pacific and Asia.
Ota - Fern leaves/shoots (Paco leaves) is a traditional i-Taukei delicacy that can be either served plain boiled, or with fresh fix mixed in coconut milk and side dish of moli (lemon) and rokete (chilli). Considered a superfood packed with high amounts of potassium.
Sega - No
Sega na Leqa - No worries
Solesolevaki - Sense of community where everyone comes together in a socially cohesive way and solidarity to help one another. Describes the traditional protocol of reciprocity and community or social relations – primary source of wealth.
Solia Lesu - Give back
Sota Tale - See you soon or meet again. Often used in a farewell scene when departing group are ready to leave or have left. Host says these words to anticipate guests’ return.
Sulu - Long wrap around skirt or sarong
Sulu vakataga - Pocket sulu usually worn by males
Tagimoucia - Fiji’s national flower - Tagimoucia (Medinilla waterhousei) - is a Fijian endemic flowering plant found only on Taveuni island.
Talanoa - Open dialogue between 2 or more persons to sort a matter of concern or can also be a friendly dialogue on a common topic.
Tikina - District
Totoka - Wonderful, beautiful
Tulou - Excuse me
Turaga ni Koro - Village headman
Veilomani - Attitude of loving and caring.
Vinaka - Thank You (can also be translated to mean Good)
Vinaka Vakalevu - Thank you very much
Vuvale - Family
Yasana - Province
Yavirau - Traditional fish drive using traditional fishing methods where traditional protocols and taboos are enforced prior to the activity.
3. TRADITIONAL ARTS
The i-Taukei traditional arts have been used for centuries as a vehicle for passing down historical knowledge.
Such traditional arts have multiple purposes, which range from functional, such as baskets to carry food and other items, to sacred and ritual objects that establish ranks and positions within the provinces or tikina (district), and storytelling of custom legends, peace-making and alliances.
These customary arts are brought to life in various ways, which include:
- meke (traditional song and dance)
- woodcarving
- pottery, both functional and decorative
- intricately carved tanoa bowls (used for kava ceremonies), woven mats and baskets
- masi (also known as tapa) printing, which preserves patterns and designs over generations.
- woven coconut fiber lashing used in building rafters, which remains an integral part of life in many villages throughout Fiji.
- Drua -Over a century ago, the traditional double-hulled ‘Drua’ sailing craft were revered throughout the Pacific for their superior size, speed and agility.
Did you know…
- … that Masi or tapa is made by stripping the bark of the paper mulberry tree, soaked and then beaten flat and joined into large sections. Intricate designs representing individual clans or regions are then applied. The rich colours are achieved by grinding barks, red clay resins and charred nuts. Striking tapa mats and wall hangings are used for traditional ceremonies as well as masi outfits for the bride and groom.
- … you can take a sailing daytrip on a replica drua with the ‘Drua Experience’ in Vuda, Nadi.
4. VALUES & TRADITIONS
Visiting a village
Fijian villages are generally not open to the public and visits are by organised tours. When visiting a village it’s customary to bring a gift of yaqona (kava) with you. This is for your sevusevu ceremony during which guests request permission from the turaga-ni-koro (village headman) to visit the village Therefore, when visiting a Fijian village, the visiting party’s spokesman will have to present their i-sevusevu to the village headman to communicate the purpose of their visit and to seek the necessary permission to carry out their activities. The visiting party’s spokesman is responsible for all formal communications between them and the village headman.
Do’s:
- Dress modestly
- Shoulders and knees should be covered
- Ladies should wear a sulu (sarong) over their shorts/trousers.
- Take your shoes off when you enter a home or meeting hall.
- It is customary for people to sit on the floor, and you are expected you do the same.
- Gifts are always welcomed, but not mandatory (avoid alcohol). Present these to the village chief the first time, but if you know the villagers well, then gifts can be given directly to them.
- Make sure to follow the designated guide when moving around the village.
- Its polite to ask for permission before you take photos of the kava ceremony or people.
Don’t’s:
- Don’t roam around on your own—seek out the chief/villager to do a guided walk.
- Don’t wear anything on your head, including caps/hats/sunglasses
- Don’t place your hands on your hips.
- Please don’t touch people’s heads – as this is a tabu.
- Keep tone of voice moderate (avoid loud yelling or acting overly excited)
- Don’t stand in the doorway of a house, enter promptly and take a seat on the floor if invited.
- Don’t wear sunglasses while ceremony is taking place.
Yaqona – Kava ceremony
A Kava ceremony involves certain protocols that includes seating arrangements and roles during the ceremony. As a visitor, you must sit at the designated spot provided by your village host. Everyone sits on the floor, as it is considered disrespectful to sit on a chair. Exceptions can be made if the individual has mobility issues and can be seated at a distance away from the crowd.
Do’s:
- Always remain seated, maintain silence and dress modestly
When drinking yaqona, you must clap once before receiving the yaqona bilo (bowl) and prior to drinking must greet the villagers and their chief. Consume the yaqona in one gulp. After drinking, return the bilo (bowl) to the bearer and clap three times.
5. INDO-FIJIAN CULTURE
Visitors will notice the Indo-Fijian presence is almost everywhere, bringing a different colour, flavour and spices to many aspects of Fiji life. It is the legacy of Indo-Fijians living in Fiji for over a century and helping shape Fiji’s social, political and culinary traditions. You will find a curry on almost every menu in Fiji!
Among the more colourful reminders that Indian communities thrive in Fiji are the myriad temples, mosques and family shrines. Most Indo-Fijians are Hindus, Muslims and Sikh and celebrate religious festivals like Diwali, Eid and Holi. A must-see is the bright and colourful Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Hindu temple in Nadi or the Naag Mandir in Labasa.
Did you know…
- … that Indo-Fijians have their own distinct Hindi dialect. It is an amalgam of regional dialects once spoken by indentured laborers from India.
6. RUGBY
Rugby is considered to be the national sport of the country. The game is played by two different teams with either the Sevens or Fifteens code. This particular sport is commonly played by various groups in terms of age, nationality and gender in the country. Rugby enables Fijians to articulate and maintain regional and local social boundaries but, in the same time, it also promotes nation-building, by uniting members of different ethnic groups as fans.
- Fijians love rugby, especially 7’s! Any match of the national team will almost stop everything. In 2016 Fiji won their first ever Olympic gold medal in the men’s rugby 7’s at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. As a result of this achievement, Fiji declared a national holiday for the win. The Fiji Men’s 7’s team followed up their gold in Rio with another gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the Women’s 7s team took home a Bronze medal – a first in Fiji’s history!