Cultural features of Fiji

Cultural features of Fiji

The Fiji Islands are a real tropical paradise. Like any other island nation, Fiji boasts an extraordinarily interesting history and culture, and local traditions and rituals sometimes amaze visitors.

Language

English, Fijian and Hindustani are the official languages of Fiji. There are many dialects in the Fijian language, and there is a clear distinction between the dialects of the western, central and eastern parts of the country.

The life of Fijians

In everyday life, the population of the islands is guided by a set of unspoken rules passed down from generation to generation. There is still such a thing as a "leader" here, and respect for him is one of the truisms of the people of Fiji. The tribe headed by the chief is one huge family, where everyone has to be someone else.

Expressing your feelings in public is considered bad form, as is talking in raised tones. Children from a young age are taught to honor and respect their elders, and to behave meekly and with restraint in the company of adults. Inter-kinship relations among Fijians are a complex system in which it is extremely difficult for a visiting person to understand. Relationships based on blood kinship are elevated to the rank of paramount here. On the islands, it is even customary not to lock the doors of houses, so that a relative who suddenly descended could always find shelter and food.

Rules of hospitality

If you want to visit the community to get to know the customs and way of life of local residents, be sure to be puzzled by purchasing a gift. Gifts are presented to the leader, thereby winning his favor. Most often, yangon root, cigarettes or wine are used for such purposes. By the way, choosing Yangon as an offering, you are guaranteed to participate in the traditional ceremony of drinking the drink that is made from it – kava. In addition, when visiting Fijians, it is worth remembering about multiple taboos. For example, touching someone's head, whether it's a child or an adult, is prohibited here.

Features of Fiji cuisine

The main products from which the locals prepare food are:

• coconut nuts;

• breadfruit;

• seafood;

• vegetables (amaranth, cassava hibiscus);

• root vegetables (taro, cassava, kolokasia and yams);

• rice (used mainly in Chinese communities).

Fijians prepare delicious national dishes from the products listed above:

• lovo – fish (meat) baked with vegetables in an earthen oven;

• rowrow – a salad made from colocasia;

• caconda – fish marinated in lime juice;

• duruka – boiled vegetables that taste like asparagus;