Social Organization
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Family
Society 2 Major Social Classes: Gentry and the Commoners
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"Give me your trust and confidence, knowing that what I seek is for the good of Fiji, and for the good of us all." -Josepha Lloilo, President Of Fiji 2007-2009
Customs And Traditions
It is said that Fijians are the kindest, most easy-going people in the world. They live in 'villages' and often welcome tourists. Fiji’s mixed ethnicity contributes to a rich cultural heritage. Many features of traditional Fijian life survive; they are most evident in the elaborate investiture, marriage, and other ceremonies for high-ranking chiefs. Those ceremonies provide a focus for the practicing of traditional crafts, such as the manufacture of masi, or tapa cloth, made from the bark of the paper mulberry; mat weaving; wood carving; and canoe making. Drinking of yanggona (kava made from the root of Piper methysticum) takes place not only as a part of important ceremonies but also as a part of the everyday life of Fijians and Indians alike. Here are some rules and helpful tips to abide to when visiting Fiji:
- All Fijians speak English as well as Fijian or Hindu.
- Do not show up to a village uninvited
- Do bring yaqona root offering to present to the chief upon arrival as this is the traditional way of saying thank-you
- Do accept invitations to dine with villagers
- Do take your sunglasses off when being introduced to others
- Do leave your shoes outside when entering the bures (houses)
- Do not question the chiefs authority or push Fijians to discuss politics
- Do contribute to food costs if you are staying in a village
- Do not wear hats
- Do not camp outside a bure if you have been offered a place to sleep as it can embarrass your hosts
- Respect the fact that Sundays are a day of rest in Fiji
- Do ask permission before taking photos of people and do consider sending the person you took a photo of a copy
- Do not be too free in PDA, as it can offend the locals
- Do wear long skirts, pants, and shirts that cover your shoulders when integrating into the Fijian lifestyle
- Do not walk into a village with something slung over your shoulder, always carry items in your hands
- Do not touch a Fijians head or hair, it is the most sacred part of the body
- Do not eat turtle meat, it is illegal
- The food in this country is what you would expect from a tropical island. Lots of exotic fruits and vegetables are used, as well as a unique form of cooking. The meat consists mostly of seafood, such as prawn, fish, lobster, and squid. Since fiji is a multi-cultural nation, the meals eaten usually incorporate traditional Chinese, Indian curries, and seafood. It is common to use your fingers rather than utensils. For breakfast, they eat homemade rolls or buns with butter and/or jam which is served with a cup of tea. Lunch usually consists of soups, either fish or dalo leaves with boiled tapioca. For dinner, they usually eat stew made of meat and vegetables. All of their meals are very healthy and balanced. Deserts can include pies filled with pumpkin, pineapple, or custard. Burnt sugar pudding is also one of the most popular kinds of desserts, which has an English background. If one was to travel here, be aware that climate change and rich food can cause a stomach upset. (http://www.everyculture.com) (http://www.britannica.com)
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Marriage
Among ethnic Fijians, marriages were traditionally arranged, with the groom's father often selecting a bride from a subclan with which his family had a long-term relationship; ties between lineages and families were strengthened in this manner. Today, although individuals choose their spouses freely, marriage is still considered an alliance between groups rather than individuals. When parental approval is refused, a couple may elope. To avoid the shame of an irregular relationship, the husband's parents must quickly offer their apologies and bring gifts to the wife's family, who are obliged to accept them. Marriage is no longer polygynous, but divorce and remarriage are common. Intermarriage is rare with Indo-Fijians, but Fijians often marry Europeans, Pacific islanders, and Chinese. Indo-Fijian marriages traditionally were also parentally arranged. Religiously sanctioned marriages are the norm, but civil registration has been required since 1928. (www.everyculture.com)
Ceremonies
The Yaqona
Another tradition is drinking Kava, which is a narcotic sedative drink made from the crushed roots of a plant of the pepper family. Kava is the national beverage of this country. Legend says, that the plant grew on the grave of a Tongan princess who is said to have died of a broken heart. The drink is also said to have certain medical qualities. It makes you feel very relaxed, calm, mellow, and causes your tongue go numb.
Another tradition is drinking Kava, which is a narcotic sedative drink made from the crushed roots of a plant of the pepper family. Kava is the national beverage of this country. Legend says, that the plant grew on the grave of a Tongan princess who is said to have died of a broken heart. The drink is also said to have certain medical qualities. It makes you feel very relaxed, calm, mellow, and causes your tongue go numb.
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- The Meke
The people participating separate in to two groups: The Vakatara (musicians) and the Mantana (dancers). The musicians sit on the ground, sing, and beat drums for the dancers. They play strictly percussion instruments, such as wooden gongs, beating sticks, and bamboo sticks. All of the performers wear salusalu, which are wreaths of tropical flowers, around their neck. Women wear traditional clothing with scented coconut oil. Mens attire includes a full warrior costume.
"Music is woven into the fabric of Fiji and the Meke embraces traditional song and dance to tell of legends, love stories, history and spirits of the islands. It can vary from a blood-curdling spear dance to a gentle and graceful fan dance." -Unknown
- The Lovo
The Lovo is a feast cooked in a hole in the ground. It is similar to a barbecue but has more of a smokey flavor.
Traditionally, the food will consist of cassava (tapioca), kumala (sweet potato), yam, taro, a shoulder of leg of pork or ham, chicken, fish and other various sea foods, or lamb.
Other Holidays
Official public holidays include New Year’s Day (1 January), Easter (Good Friday through Easter Monday), National Youth Day (March), Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day (May or June), the British Queen’s Birthday (observed on a Monday around 14 June), Constitution Day (July), Fiji Day (or Independence Day, a Monday around 10 October), the prophet Muhammad’s Birthday (July), Diwali, (or the Hindu Festival of Lights, October or November), Christmas Day (25 December), and Boxing Day (26 December). Boxing Day comes from a British tradition in which gifts were presented to trades people and service workers; it is now a day for relaxing and visiting friends and family. There are also many festivals throughout the year to celebrate different events. The largest, held in Suva for a full week in August, is the Hibiscus Festival. (http://joetourist.ca)
Everyday Life
The life of the average Fijian consists of this:
- Early rise, wake up with the sun
- Breakfast (rolls with jam and fruit)
- Work, usually on your farm
- Lunch: can be a soup or flat bread sandwich
- Work, usually on your farm
- Snack such as fruit
- Dinner: Dinner does not begin until everyone in
- Go to sleep
Religion
Native Fijians are mostly Christian. Various denominations are represented, but Methodists and Roman Catholics predominate. Indians are mostly Hindu or Muslim; some are Sikh and others are Christian. The Chinese are either Christian or Buddhist. The people often celebrate festivals of other religions. Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution, and religion plays a major role in the lives of all of the people. (http://joetourist.ca)
Government
The Fijian government was formed in 1970, after Fiji gain independence from Britain. Fiji is currently run by a Prime Minister, nammed Epeli Nailatikau who is indo-fijian. This can be called a Republic or a Parliament Monarchy.
- The President is the head of state while the Prime Minister is head of Fiji Government. The parliament is comprised of the President, an elected House of Representatives with 1 member and a nominated Senate with 32 members.
- Currently Fiji is divided into four administrative divisions and one dependency. Central based in Nausori, Eastern based in Levuka, Northern based in Labasa and Western based in Lautoka. The 14 provinces are governed by the FAB. The urban affairs are controlled by the city and town councils. Fiji Government has a good administrative system.
- Fiji Government was formed in 1970, when the country gained independence from Britain. Fiji inherited a parliamentary democracy. It was interrupted when a military regime was established in 1987 followed by two coups under the leadership of Sitiveni Rabuka. In 1992 again an elected government cams to power (Mapsoftheworld.com)
Economy
Agriculture is the main economic activity. Primary cash crops include bananas, rice, taro, cassava, pineapples, coconuts, and copra. Until recently, sugar was the most important revenue earner, but tourism now equals it in economic importance. Fiji also exports garments, gold, timber, wood products, and processed tuna. The currency is the Fijian dollar.(http://joetourist.ca)
Language
English is the official language, although Fijian and Hindustani (an Indian language) are widely spoken. The Hindustani spoken in Fiji is called Fiji Bat or Fiji Talk, and differs slightly from that spoken in India. Fijian can be written in two different ways, one of which is more phonetic than the other. For instance, the letter “b” is pronounced with an “m” sound before it, as in the case of the town Ba, which can be written Ba or Mba. Also, a “q” is usually pronounced “ngg,” as in yaqona. English spoken among the people often includes words and phrases from Fijian, Hindustani, and other languages. To greet one, instead of saying 'hello', say 'Bula'. This means 'health'. (http://joetourist.ca)
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Arts
Displays of “traditional” Fijian culture, music, and dancing make an important contribution to tourism; model villages and handicraft markets are popular with tourists. A traditional song-and-dance performance, the meke, is rooted in storytelling traditions. In its strictest form, the meke involves chanting by shamans, whose bodies take on spirits of the netherworld, accompanied by dancing, rhythmic clapping, and the beating of slit drums. The meke is one of the traditional performances at the Arts Village, a model village and tourist centre near Deuba. Cinemas showing imported Indian films are popular. The Fiji Museum, located in the Thurston Botanical Gardens in Suva, contains a fine collection of war canoes and other artifacts. (http://www.britannica.com)
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Education
Education in Fiji is free for the first 8 years. Schooling is not required at all, which allows children to help their families on their farms. Their form of 'high school' has courses that include carpentry, metalwork, woodwork, home economics, and agricultural science. One would also have the option to go to collage, which is usually only two years. This higher education is offered at technical institutes. There are also four or five year professional degree programs in specific fields. (www.classbase.com)
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