Because of its tumultuous, and sometimes violent, history, Fiji is now home to a diverse population that consists of indigenous Fijian, Indian, Chinese, and European heritages. Today, the indigenous culture of Fiji is a vibrant part of everyday life for the vast majority of the population on the islands. From festivals to the culinary arts to religion, Fiji has an incredibly rich culture. When traveling to Fiji, seeking out cultural experiences can enrich your experience immensely!
Continue reading for a glimpse into Fijian culture!
Fijian Cuisine
Traditional Fijian meals typically consist of root vegetables, fruits, starches, and meat, which could be seafood, chicken, or pork. Popular starches include yams, sweet potatoes, or cassava. Many meals are also served with curry and rice, bananas or coconuts, nuts, and breadfruit. European, Chinese, and Indian variants of this typical cuisine are also commonplace in more Fijian households.
Traditionally, Fijian foods would have been cooked with local herbs and spices on wood fire rock ovens. Another popular method of cooking that is still used today is the lovo, or “earth oven”—a fire made in a pit in the ground lined with stones. Typically meat is placed at the bottom of the lovo pit. Root crops such as taro, cassava, and wild yam are laid on top of the meat, and the lovo is then filled with dirt and left to cook for about three hours.
Traditional meals are generally served with water or “kava” or “yagona",” which is the national drink of Fiji. It is made from pulverized yagona plants, which is a member of the pepper family. The powder is then placed in muslin cloth, and water is slowly added to extract the juice from the plant. But be careful—this drink will make your tongue go numb! Though Kava is not unique to Fiji, it has a unique religious and traditional significance in Fiji and is often used as a peace offering.
Language
Fiji has 3 official languages: English, iTaukei, and Hindi. Before the 19th century, Fiji mostly consisted of indigenous Fijian communities who spoke traditional Malayo-Polynesian languages and dialects. English was brought to Fiji by early explorers, and, during British colonial rule, both English and Hindi spread throughout the region from England and British India.
All three languages have influenced one another in grammar in pronunciation. These three official languages have also been influenced by other minority languages, as well, including Chinese, Banaban, and others.
Fijian Arts and Crafts
Women’s and men’s crafts are traditionally separated, and different regions of Fiji specialize in different types of crafts.
Women’s Crafts
While villages such as Na Lotu and Nadroga are known for producing fine pottery, others are known for making Tapa cloth, which is cloth made from the bark of the mulberry tree and decorated in charcoal with various patterns. Basket weaving, coconut rope weaving, and coconut leaves weaving are also popular crafts, along with the preparation of Fijian mats made from the leaves of the pandanus tree.
Men’s Crafts
Men’s crafts traditionally involve carving and building. From canoes to weapons to items used in ceremonies and homes, carving was an important aspect of Fijian society. However, today, carving is typically used for tourism and is no longer an central aspect of Fijian culture.
Religion
Today, Christianity is the predominant religion in Fiji. Fiji’s traditional religion, which included different forms of animism and divination, is no longer widely practiced. However, the ‘old gods’ are still respected and acknowledged, but no longer worshipped actively. Of course, smaller communities of Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists exist as well.
Festivals
Hibiscus Festival
The Hibiscus festival is an annual festival held in the capital city of Suva, and includes dance performances, rides, parades, and hundreds of stalls selling a variety of Pacific Island fare.
South Indian Fire Walking Festival
Fire-walking is just what it sounds like—it involves walking barefoot across hot embers or coals. This tradition originated on the island of Beqa, which is about five miles from Viti Levu’s southernmost coast. The annual festival now takes place at the Mariamma Temple and consists of participants entering a 10-day period of sexual abstinence and prolonged meditation; during this ten-day time, Hindu priests pierce their faces and bodies with skewers and smear their skin with yellow turmeric. They then perform their “fire-walking” to being about both physical and spiritual cleansing.
Fara
The island of Rotuma is very culturally and socially distinct from the rest of Fiji. Heavily influenced by other Polynesian islands, Rotumans celebrate a special festival called Fara, which involves large groups of singers, musicians, and dancers traveling between houses to entertain the families who live there.
Fiji Day
Fiji officially gained independence on October 10, 1970, from British colonial rule. It is celebrated every year with a full week of festivities. Each city within the archipelago organizes its own events in honor of the occasion, which typically include parades, speeches, performances, and street parties.
Travel to Fiji now to experience these incredible cultural experiences for yourself!
Post written by Grace Klopp