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Culture of Fiji |
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The Culture of Fiji is a rich collage of indigenous Indian Chinese and European trdaition. It consists of many aspects like: social polity, food, costume, language, belief system, arts, traditions, architecture, craft, music, dance and sports. The indigenous culture of Fiji is very rich and active and forms a part of everyday life of the majority of the population. The Fijan indigenous society is very communal and a great importance is attached to the family unit, village and vanua or land. A hiearchy of chiefs preside over village, tribes and clans. A deceased chief is invariably followed by a kinsman. The largest social unit for Fijans is the “Yavusa”. Each brother in the family then formed his own branch of the yavusa, called the Mataqali. Fijian social interactions are filled with ceremonies. Depending on the occasion and situation, there are three key ceremonies: birth, death, and marriage.
Although the official language of Fiji is English but Bauan is the only one of the many dialects that exist from the Fiji group of language. The culture of Fiji is rich with various unique crafts, music, trdaitional etiqutte and forms of clothing attire. Its unique architecture also tells the story of its culture and its evolution. The arts and crafts of Fiji rflect the adaptations of their Polynesian and Melanesian heritage.
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By tradition, the men's and women's crafts are separate. The making of tapa, or masi, is another craft associated with women. Tapa is made from the bark of the paper mulberry tree and decorated in charcoal with symbolic motifs and various patterns. These are often exchanged as gifts on formal occasions. The village of Na lotu on Kadavu Island is famous for its pottery, the making of which is still governed by strict rituals. Nadroga and Rewa also produce fine pottery. Each region has its own unique style in the making of pottery. These are famous women's craft of Fiji.
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