Travel to Fiji, a paradise of white sandy beaches, abundant marine life and gently swaying palms trees. This tropical South Pacific archipelago has plenty to offer in terms of natural scenery, but it also has a rich and vibrant culture. Here are 6 cultural experiences in Fiji that will make your trip unforgettable.
About the author: Francesca from Little Lost Travel is on a mission is to show you why sustainable travel is empowering, fulfilling and affordable. Today she’s here to share her tips for Fiji.
Fiji is an archipelago in the South Pacific made up of over 300 islands. Its capital, Suva, and airport city of Nadi are located on the main island of Viti Levu.
However, to see the best of Fiji in all its glory, many travellers choose to go island hopping as it offers opportunities to stay at small, family-run resorts, visit local villages, and take part in homestays.
These opportunities offer wonderful insights into Fijian culture and allow you to get a real, authentic experience of Fiji, its customs, and its people.
Fiji’s unique culture was formed over thousands of years. First settled by the Melanesian people, the arrival of European settlers in the 1700s saw the islands become a site of violent disputes until Fiji became a British colony in 1874 (it gained independence in 1970).
At this time, many Indians were brought to Fiji as indentured labourers in the sugar plantations. To this day, indigenous Fijians make up more than half the population and about two-fifths of people are of Indian descent.
Reminders can be seen throughout Fiji’s landscape in the form of Hindu temples, Muslim mosques and family shrines.
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How to experience Fijian culture: 6 unforgettable things to do
From feasts to dance performances, here are some of the best cultural experiences to add to your Fiji itinerary.
1. Experience Fijian culture by joining a kava drinking ceremony
One of the most important and popular cultural rituals in Fiji is the kava drinking ceremony. Sometimes referred to as Yakona, it’s a feature of pretty much every village you visit and resort you stay at.
Fijians enjoy drinking kava on a daily basis with friends and family. The ceremony is a symbol of friendship, respect and community, and often takes place as a peace broker after disagreements.
The kava drink itself is a brown liquid made from powdered Piper methysticum root mixed with water. It doesn’t make you drunk or high – instead, it works as a mild sedative that aids relaxation and sleep. The taste is slightly earthy and you might feel a numb tingling sensation in your mouth when you sip it. Don’t worry though, it’s perfectly safe.
The plant is native to the Western Pacific Islands, which is why kava ceremonies feature in cultures across Polynesia, Melanesia, Vanuatu and even parts of Micronesia and Australia. This tradition has been a part of Pacific Island culture for at least 2,000 years.
Kava ceremonies are common and widespread throughout Fiji, so you won’t have any trouble finding one during your trip. The ritual involves sitting in a circle around a large bowl (called kava tanoa) which is placed in front of the leader. Once prepared, the drink is served to each member of the group one at a time, either at high tide (full cup) or low tide (half cup).
It’s important that you dress respectfully and modestly for the occasion. Although you’re not expected to keep up with each round, you’re encouraged to be open and join in the fun. It’s a very relaxed and joyful experience.
If you’re visiting a village or homestay, it’s recommended that you bring a kava root to offer as a gift to the chief. This is a sign of respect and shows that you understand the culture. You can find the root sold at any Fijian market.
2. Learn about palm weaving and other handicrafts
Fiji is well known for its arts and crafts. In particular, it’s common to see stalls laden with mats, baskets and accessories made out of palm fronds and pandanus leaves. These crafts are not only for tourist souvenirs, but for local use in traditional ceremonies.
Mat plaiting and weaving is a universal skill throughout Fiji and children are taught how to do it from a very young age. It’s a craft that has become part of everyday life. Every Fijian home has mats to use for rugs or sleeping on. They’re an important symbol of wealth and are often given at ceremonies and weddings and when high chiefs come to visit.
You can try your hand at weaving at most resorts and village homestays in Fiji. Be prepared to exercise some patience as it does take quite a bit of time and practice to get it right. Once you do get into the flow, you will have your own traditional Fijian souvenir to take home with you.
Other handicrafts to buy in Fiji include carvings, pottery, and masi and tapa cloths made from bark. These textiles are covered in striking prints and are often worn as ceremonial dress. The best place to find them is at markets in local villages. The thicker the material, the better the quality!
3. Try your hand at coconut husking
Coconuts are a staple of Fijian food and culture. You only need to look around at all the palm trees to see that. Coconuts have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, and dried coconut, known as copra, has been part of Fiji’s industry since the early European settlers arrived in the 1870s. Although copra is produced in large scale plantations, about 80% of it still comes from small indigenous farms.
Watching locals harvest coconuts is impressive enough. They shimmy right to the top of the tree with a machete in tow and hack at the young and ripe coconuts until they tumble to the ground (it’s a good idea to stand well back for that one).
Husking a coconut is a task that you can have a go at yourself. Fijians make it look effortlessly easy, but in reality, to the inexperienced visitor it’s definitely a challenge but no less fun to attempt.
When done correctly, no part of the coconut is wasted. Fijians husk the coconut by hitting it against a long sharp stake until the outer layer is ready to be peeled off, dried, and used for firewood. This is quite a feat of strength and it’s not uncommon to see men wearing ceremonial dress and making a competition of it.
Next, they chop open the coconut with the machete (some do it with their hands!), taking care not to waste the water inside. The last part involves scraping out the white flesh using a sharp metal tool attached to a piece of wood that you sit on. Once the coconut flesh is loosened, you can shake it out into a bowl.
The idea is to keep going until all that is left is an empty shell. The shells are eventually turned into cups for drinking kava!
4. Eat a traditional lovo feast
One of the most delicious cultural experiences you can have in Fiji is to take part in a traditional Lovo feast. It closely resembles the Maori Hangi in New Zealand – both involve cooking food in an oven dug out of the ground.
To create the Lovo, Fijians place wood and huge flat stones that are heated until red hot into a large hole. The food is usually meat – pork, fish, and chicken – served with cassava and taro wrapped in banana leaves and placed on the hot stones. More banana leaves, palm fronds, and damp burlap sacks are placed on top to keep the heat in. The meal is left to slow cook for about two hours in the smoky oven until deliciously tender.
Lovo cooking has been a Fiji tradition for centuries and is an important part of village life. It’s often used as a way to prepare large quantities of food for ceremonies as well as cultural and local events such as weddings, births, funerals, and other special occasions. A Lovo feast is a popular way to welcome guests into the village.
Traditionally, men would make the oven while the women prepared the food. These tasks strengthen friendship bonds and build a sense of community, which is a vital part of village life.
Lovo feasts are a popular activity in resorts around Fiji. Otherwise, you will almost certainly come across one during a village visit or homestay. Keep a look out for an opportunity to join this delicious and meaningful feast during your trip.
5. Watch a meke performance
Another essential part of your Fiji visit is experiencing a Meke ceremony. Music is an integral part of Fijian culture and the Meke encompasses the very best of it. This is a traditional song and dance performance that conjures up legends, stories, spirits, and the history of the islands.
Meke performances often include an mesmerising combination of soft gentle songs and warrior-like chants.
Performers are typically both musicians who play bamboo sticks, gongs and drums, and singers clad in vibrant, colourful grass skirts and garlands who reenact famous battle scenes and love stories.
Both men and women perform the Meke. The men adopt strong, powerful symbolic movements whereas the women are gentle and more feminine. The Meke is typically performed during special functions such as weddings, celebrations, and funerals – but it’s guaranteed that wherever you stay, you’re bound to witness one in action.
Fijians are proud performers and they always like to greet their guests with songs and dancing. Most island resorts will sing for you as you arrive or put on a Meke performance just before you depart. Some Meke performances are accompanied by impressive fire dancing shows that are hypnotic to watch.
6. Live on ‘Fiji Time’ at the Sabeto Hot Springs
Fijians have a phrase they like to use: ‘Fiji Time’. In a nutshell, it means ‘what needs to get done, will, so don’t worry about it’.
‘Fiji Time’ is something you’ll hear uttered everywhere you go in Fiji. There’s no worry about being late or guilt over spending an afternoon relaxing. It’s the perfect sentiment to live by when you’re on holiday.
One of the best places to live out this cultural sentiment is at the Sabeto Thermal Mud Pool and Hot Springs. It’s located near Nadi on the main island of Viti Levu and just a few miles from the Garden of the Sleeping Giant. Here you can experience the therapeutic benefits of mineral-rich mud and geothermal pools heated by an underground volcanic source. There are three pools of different temperatures to enjoy.
The Sabeto Mud Pools are a natural site nestled in the lush green Sabeto Valley and maintained by a local village. The attraction doesn’t have a tourist-centric focus but rather is enjoyed by both locals and visitors alike. You can take a tour of the area, take a spa break in the geothermal pool, or browse for souvenirs at the nearby market stalls.
Another popular cultural activity you won’t want to miss here is the chance to experience a traditional Bobo massage (pronounced ‘bombo’). It’s a centuries old, full-body deep tissue massage using oil blends to increase circulation. Fiji Time at its best.
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