Fijian Culture Guide: 6 Hands-on Experiences for Visitors
Posted by Maris on 28th May 2024
Visit Fiji, a tropical paradise with pristine beaches, a plethora of marine life, and softly swaying palm trees. This tropical South Pacific archipelago boasts a rich and lively culture in addition to an abundance of natural landscapes. These six Fijian cultural encounters will make your vacation truly memorable.
ATTEND A KAVA DRINKING CEREMONY TO EXPERIENCE FIJIAN CULTURE
The kava drinking ceremony is among Fiji's most significant and well-liked traditional customs. Known as Yakona at times, it is a characteristic of almost every community you visit and resort you stay at.
Every day, Fijians like to sip kava with their loved ones. The ritual serves as a peacemaker after arguments and is a representation of friendship, decency, and community.
The actual kava drink is a brown beverage created by combining water and powdered Piper methysticum root. Instead of getting you inebriated or euphoric, it functions as a gentle sedative to promote calm and sleep. When you drink it, you could have a tingling, numb feeling in your mouth due to the slightly earthy taste. But don't worry, it's completely secure.
As kava is indigenous to the Western Pacific Islands, it is practiced in kava ceremonies in Polynesia, Melanesia, Vanuatu, and even in some regions of Micronesia and Australia. Pacific Island culture has included this custom for at least 2,000 years.
You won't have any trouble finding a kava ceremony during your trip because they are widely held throughout Fiji. During the rite, participants gather in a circle in front of the leader and sit around a sizable bowl known as kava tanoa. Once ready, the beverage is served one by one to each group member, either at low tide (half cup) or high tide (full cup).
It's crucial that you wear appropriate, modest clothing for the situation. You are welcome to participate in the fun and be open, even though you are not required to keep up with every round. It's a really happy and laid-back experience.
It is advised that you bring a kava root to give as a present to the chief if you are staying in a village or homestay. This demonstrates your understanding of the culture and is a gesture of respect. The root is available for purchase at any Fijian market.
GET INFORMATION ABOUT HANDICRAFTS, INCLUDING PALM WEAVING
Fiji's handicrafts are highly renowned. Specifically, it's typical to see booths filled with mats, baskets, and accessories fashioned from pandanus and palm leaves. These crafts are used in customary ceremonies locally as well as for tourist souvenirs.
Children are taught how to weave and plait mats from an early age in Fiji, where it is a universal talent. It's a craft that is now a common occurrence. Every Fijian home includes mats for sleeping on or using as rugs. They are frequently given at ceremonies, marriages, and when prominent leaders pay guests since they are a significant symbol of riches.
Most resorts and local homestays in Fiji offer weaving classes. It takes a fair amount of time and practice to do it perfect, so be ready to be patient. You'll have your very own traditional Fijian memento to bring back with you once you've settled in.
Bark-based masi and tapa fabrics, ceramics, and carvings are among the other handicrafts available for purchase in Fiji. These textiles, which have eye-catching designs all over them, are frequently worn as ceremonial attire. The local communities' marketplaces are the greatest places to find them. The quality improves with the increased thickness of the material!
GET INVOLVED IN COCONUT HUSKING
Fijian cuisine and culture are centered around coconuts. It's evident just by glancing around at all the palm trees. Since the first European settlers arrived in Fiji in the 1870s, the country has relied on the dried coconut product known as copra for medical purposes. Coconuts have been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine. Even though copra is grown on huge plantations, small indigenous farms still provide around 80% of the supply.
Observing the villagers gather coconuts is rather remarkable. With a machete in hand, they slink all the way to the top of the tree and hack away at the young, ripe coconuts, causing them to fall to the ground (you should probably stand far away for that one).
You can attempt the task of husking a coconut on your own. Fijians make it seem so simple, but for the uninitiated visitor, it's actually quite difficult yet still enjoyable to try.
No portion of the coconut is wasted when done properly. Fijians use a long, pointed stake to husk coconuts until the outer layer is ready to peel off, dry, and be used as firewood. This is a really impressive strength feat, and men frequently dress ceremonially and compete in it.
Then, being careful not to spill the water inside, they cut open the coconut with the machete (some even do it with their hands!). The final step entails using a sharp metal instrument fixed to a piece of wood that you sit on to scrape out the white flesh. You can shake the coconut flesh out into a basin after it has become loose.
The goal is to continue until the only thing remaining is an empty shell. Eventually, the shells are transformed into kava drinking glasses!
TASTE A CLASSICAL LOVO FEAST
Participating in a traditional Lovo feast is one of the most delectable cultural experiences that Fiji has to offer. It is similar to the Maori Hangi in New Zealand in that both entail baking meals in an earthen oven.
The Lovo is made by the Fijians by filling a large hole with burning wood and massive, flat stones that are red hot. Typically, the dish consists of meat (chicken, pork, or fish) served with taro and cassava wrapped in banana leaves and heated over stones. To retain the heat, add more banana leaves, palm fronds, and moist burlap bags on top. The dish is allowed to slowly simmer in the smoky oven for approximately two hours, or until it is incredibly tender.
For years, the Fijian people have practiced loco cooking, which plays a significant role in community life. Large amounts of food are frequently prepared with it for ceremonies, as well as for regional and cultural gatherings like weddings, christenings, funerals, and other noteworthy events. A favorite method to greet visitors to the village is with a Lovo feast.
In the past, women would prepare the food while men made the oven. These activities create a sense of community and cultivate friendships, both of which are essential to village life.
Lovo feasts are a well-liked pastime at Fijian resorts. If not, there's a good chance you'll encounter one when visiting a hamlet or staying in a homestay. When traveling, keep an eye out for a chance to partake in this delectable and poignant feast.
VIEW A MEKE EXHIBITION
Attending a Meke ceremony is an additional must-do during your trip to Fiji. The Meke embodies the finest of Fijian music, which is an essential component of the country's culture. This traditional song and dance performance evokes the history, spirits, tales, and mythology of the islands.
Meke performances frequently feature a captivating fusion of chanting akin to warriors and mellow, peaceful tunes.
Artists usually consist of two groups: singers dressed in brightly colored grass skirts and garlands, portraying well-known love stories and conflict scenes, and musicians playing bamboo sticks, gongs, and drums.
The Meke is performed by both sexes. While the ladies make more delicate, feminine gestures, the men make bold, significant movements. Wherever you go, you're sure to see a meke in action. Mekes are usually performed during important occasions like weddings, festivals, and funerals.
Fijians take great pride in their performances, and they always enjoy singing and dancing to welcome guests. The majority of island resorts will either do a Meke show right before your departure or sing for you when you arrive. Stunning fire dance performances are a captivating accompaniment to certain Meke performances.
LIVE AT THE SABETO HOT SPRINGS DURING "FIJI TIME"
"Fiji Time" is a term that Fijians like to utilize. It simply indicates that "what needs to get done, will get done, so don't worry about it."
Everywhere you go in Fiji, you'll hear the phrase "Fiji Time." You don't have to feel guilty for lounging around all afternoon or worry about being late. It's the ideal philosophy to live by when on vacation.
This cultural mood can be best experienced at the Sabeto Thermal Mud Pool and Hot Springs. Situated a short distance from the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, it is close to Nadi on Viti Levu's main island. The healing properties of the mineral-rich mud and the geothermal pools heated by an underground volcanic source can be felt here. There are three distinct pools to choose from.
A nearby community looks after the natural wonder known as the Sabeto Mud Pools, which is tucked away in the verdant Sabeto Valley. Rather than being geared toward tourists, the attraction is loved by both locals and tourists. Explore the region on foot, unwind in the geothermal pool, or peruse the local market stalls for mementos.
It's also a popular cultural pastime that you shouldn't miss: getting a traditional Bobo massage (pronounced "bombo"). This full-body, deep-tissue massage, which has been practiced for millennia, uses oil mixtures to promote circulation.