National traditions of Fiji. Habits, mentality and the way of living

Fijians are an original people, whose ancestry came about as a result of the mixing of several ethnic groups of the Pacific Ocean region. In the modern culture of the archipelago, ancient beliefs coexist with Christian customs, and the traditional way of life is mixed with the attributes of a democratic public order. In spite of the historically propagated reputation of being aggressors and cannibals, today’s residents of Fiji are considered one of the friendliest people on the planet. The inhabitants of the islands are the only ones in Oceania, who are genuinely proud of their past. The more respect for local traditions a tourist demonstrates, the more hearty reception he or she receives.

Historically, at the basis of the Fijian society lay the communal-tribal system. Each “yavusa” (a tribe with one common ancestor) included several “mataqali” (clans), which in turn were divided into “tokatoka” (families of close relatives). Each tribe was ruled by a leader – “turaga-ni-koro”. Special honor was enjoyed by elderly members of the community, who usually looked after the children. Respect for the elders is inherent in the culture of Fiji. This is still the case today. Traditional views on the family life are determined by the features of the former social system that remain relevant to this day. While women do house chores, men provide for them and their children.

Fijians pay enormous attention to the upbringing of children. The first thing that a child learns with training is the rule of proper behavior in society. The highest virtues are humility and tolerance towards representatives of different social strata. In the culture of behavior, respect for others is placed first. This is expressed in the rare manifestation of feelings and personal experiences, and the refusal to use high tones during conversations – a loud voice is regarded as a manifestation of anger and hostility. Residents of Fiji are famous for their attentive attitude towards guests, including foreign tourists. As a sign of greeting, a Fijian may present a gift, which is not to be refused, so as not to offend the giver. Gratitude for the honor given can be presenting a gift in return. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In Fiji, it is not accepted to lock doors. This shows that they are always open to receive guests. When visiting the home of locals, you should give the owner a small souvenir – “sevusevu”. Traditionally, it is a package with crushed dry yaqona root, cigarettes, and a bottle of wine. In the villages, the most valuable gift is the tooth of the sperm whale “tabua”. Fijian feast does not involve special ceremonial rituals, but in some cases however, a number of formalities are observed: the guest is first entertained, followed by the eldest person as a respect to age, then men and children in order of priority. The meal consists of a main course (“kakana-dina”) and a garnish (“icoy”). Family members and their guests sit around the mat on which the dishes are presented. The ritual of drinking yaqona is of interest as well – it is an important part of a festive lunch, after which dances and other entertainment events begin.

Dance is an integral part of the culture of the Fiji Islands. They are an accompaniment to all the significant events: from birthdays or funerals, to weddings and the conclusion of trade transactions. Traditional men’s dances are the military war styled “sibi” or “meke”, which are performed with spears and shields. Women’s dances include “vata”, formerly served to insult and weaken the spirit of the captives. The song and dance tradition came to the islands with Indian migrants. Missionaries brought with them a culture of religious songs, and today Fijian church choirs have achieved resounding success in different parts of Oceania.

The internal emancipation of the Fijians is manifested in their habit of dressing freely. The usual element of the everyday wardrobe of both men and women is a dark gray “sulu” – a skirt with a characteristic smell. Fijian women are known to have perfectly mastered several ways of wearing “sulu”. They often include it even in the evening costume. In villages you can often see women dressed in saris, and the men wearing a long dress referred to as “muumuu”. The main rule in clothes is modesty and restraint. It is therefore advisable that when you go on a visit, you should give up sports suits and clothes that expose a lot of flesh. When visiting the countryside, you should avoid wearing a hat, as this is the Prince’s privilege. At the entrance to the house, it is customary to take off your foot-wear.