As a multiracial and multicultural nation, Fiji’s culture is a rich mosaic of indigenous, Indian, and European traditions. The main focus of this article is traditions native to Fiji; customs of immigrant cultures are covered more fully in other articles. For the culture of Indo-Fijians, see Culture of India

Hierarchy

Fijian society is very communal, with great importance attached to the family unit, the village, and the vanua (land). A hierarchy of chiefs presides over villages, clans, and tribes. Chiefly positions are hereditary; a deceased chief is invariably followed by a kinsman, though not necessarily his own son. This reflects Polynesian influence: in most other Melanesian societies, chiefs are appointed on merit.

The largest social unit for Fijians is the Yavusa, defined by historian R.A. Derrick as the “direct agnate descendants of a single kalou-vu” (deified ancestor), who is supposed to arrived with the legendary Lutunasobasoba migration. The Yavusa, therefore, are the descendants of a single original member of the migration. Chiefly succession was from older brother to younger brother, after the death of their father. When the youngest brother died, the eldest son of the eldest brother became chief. This tradition still influences Fijian society today, though less rigidly: there is more of a tendency nowadays towards primogeniture.

Each brother in the family then formed his own branch of the yavusa, called the Mataqali. Each mataqali became the custodian of a specific task. A fully developed Yavusa has several mataqali:
Turaga : This mataqali descends from the original ancestor through primogeniture - inheritance of the eldest son in each succeeding generation. The chief of a village is always chosen from the Turaga mataqali.
Sauturaga : These are next in rank to the chiefs, support him, and enforce his commands.
Mata ni vanua : These form the official heralds of the village. They are also in charge of ceremonial functions.
Bete : This was the traditional priestly class. The kalou-vu was believed to speak through the Bete.
Bati : This mataqali forms the traditional warrior class.

The mataqali are subdivided into Tokatoka, each comprising closely related families.
Several Yavusa comprise a village, several of which form a district. The British colonial rulers amalgamated the districts into Yasana, or Provinces. The districts also form three Matanitu, or Confederacies. These are often said to be agglomerations of provinces, but as the latter were a colonial imposition, the boundaries do not coincide exactly, and the Provinces of Ba and Ra are each split between two Confederacies.

The Kubuna Confederacy covers Tailevu, Bau, and Verata, on the south east side of the main island of Viti Levu. This Confederacy is traditionally considered to be the most senior. The other two are Burebasaga (covering the rest of Viti Levu), and Tovata, covering Vanua Levu, the Lau Islands, and the Lomaiviti archipelago. Despite its isolation and relatively small size, Tovata has been politically dominant since Fiji gained its independence in 1970.

Music and dancing

An indigenous art form is the Meke, which may incorporate the seasea (women’s fan dance) or a make wesi (men’s spear dance). It is usually a narrative of an important event such as a war, a chiefly installation, or even a scandal. Some mekes are generations old, and form an important part of Fiji’s oral history. In olden times, the meke was considered to be an oracle from the gods, and the Dau ni vucu, or composer, would often go into a trance before a performance. Others are modern, composed for a particular event, much as a poet laureate might write a poem to celebrate an event in a Western country. Each district of Fiji has its own form of meke, performed in the local dialect.

Costume

The traditional attire was loin cloths for men and grass skirts for women. Skirts were short for single women, and long for married women, with girls wearing virgin locks before marriage. Most had the lower parts of their bodies decorated with tattoos. Chiefs dressed more elaborately.

Modern Fiji’s national dress is the sulu, which resembles a skirt. It is commonly worn by both men and women. Many are elaborately decorated with patterns and designs. Many men, especially in urban areas, also have sulus tailored as part of their suit. Many will wear a shirt with a western-style collar, tie, and jacket, with a matching sulu and sandals. Even the military uniforms have incorporated the sulu as part of their ceremonial dress. Trousers are rarely worn by indigenous Fijian men.

Women usually wear a multi-layered Tapa cloth on formal occasions. A blouse made of cotton, silk, or satin, of often worn on top. On special occasions, women often wear a tapa sheath across the chest, rather than a blouse. On other occasions, women may be dressed in a chamba, also known as a sulu I ra, a sulu with a specially crafted top.

There are many regional variations throughout Fiji. Residents of the village of Dama, in Bua Province, wear finely woven mats called kuta, made from a reed.

Men of chiefly rank usually wear a piece of brown masi around their arms or their waist. Chiefs may also decorate their hair with sandalwood dust.

Yaqona

Kava, known in Fiji as Yaqona, is Fiji’s national drink. Traditionally, it was used only in important ceremonies. Nowadays, it is a social beverage. There is a strict protocol associated with yaqona drinking. One should clap once, clasping the hands, take the cup, and drink the yaqona in a single mouthful, before returning the cup to the bearer, clapping three times, and saying the word maca (pronounced: maÞa).

Arts and Craft

Fiji’s arts and crafts reflect local adaptations of their Polynesian and Melanesian heritage. By tradition, the men’s and women’s crafts are separate.

Women’s crafts

The village of Naloto 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. Famous present-day potters include Diana from Nadroga, and Taraivini Wati from Rewa.

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. In modern times, it has become fashionable for a masi to bear the name of the person who made it. Masi are often exchanged as gifts on formal occasions. The island of Vatuelele of the southern coast of Viti Levu is famous for its masi products.

Most Fijian mats are made from the leaves of the pandanus tree. The long process of preparation includes scraping and boiling the leaves, and drying them in the sun. There are different mats used for different occasions, and some are made as gifts for formal occasions such as weddings. Most mats are bordered with highly decorative and brightly coloured wool. One well-known Fijian mat is the kuta, made by women in Vanua Levu, particularly Bua. Basket weaving also another art that the women do.

Firewalkers of Beqa

The Sawau tribe of Beqa are noted for their ability to walk on white hot stones without being burned. Strict rituals have to be observed before the firewalking ceremony. There is an ancient myth about how an ancestor of the Sawau tribe was given this power by a spirit god in exchange for his life, after the god was captured by the man who was fishing for eels.

Lovo

The lovo is an earth oven - a fire made on in a pit in the ground lined with stones. It closely resembles the hangi of the New Zealand Maori. When the stones are hot, food is buried in the pit and left to cook before being exhumed and eaten. Dishes cooked this way include palusami, parcels of taro leaves saturated with coconut oil, onions, and sometimes tinned meat.

The impact of Christianity

The impact of Christianity in the nineteenth century resulted in certain traditions being proscribed. In the pre-Christian era, human sacrifice was practiced. Men were buried alive to hold the pillars to the house of a chief. Cannibalism was practiced, too: the bodies of enemies slain in battle, or in sacrifice, were piled up and cooked for festivals, such as the installation of chiefs. Seru Epenisa Cakobau, the Bauan warlord who united the disparate tribes of Fiji and proclaimed himself King in 1871, renounced cannibalism on his conversion to Christianity in 1854.

Sport

Rugby union is very popular in Fiji. The highest level of competition is the Colonial Cup. The national team also competes in international tournaments.