Colors of Taveuni - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Indigenous Fijians make up the majority of the Taveuni population. This is a feature of the island, as ethnic Hindus make up almost half of the total population of most other Fiji Islands. The islanders belong to the Christian church in religious terms. They are mostly Protestants. But the natives also do not forget about the beliefs and customs of their ancestors. Any significant event in a family or community is celebrated with ritual dances, songs, and special rites.

The locals are quite friendly despite the reputation of brutal warriors and cannibals in the past. They actively greet tourists, shouting "Bula" - "Hello". The locals smile and talk a lot, and wave their hands. They will be happy to help you and even guide you to the right place.

Families are traditional here. A man works to get money to support his family. A woman takes care of children and home. Small settlements live together. The chief leads the community. Respect and reverence for him is an integral part of the way of life of the islanders. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Fijians and Hindus do not enter into inter-ethnic marriages. They relate to each other is pretty cool, even with contempt. Hindus are mostly engaged in trade or work on plantations. Most of the natives are employed in the tourism industry and fishing. Fishing has been the basis of islanders' life for many centuries. Therefore, the profession of a fisherman is much respected here.

It is important to observe certain rules of communication and behavior during a vacation on the island. You can't wear beachwear or sportswear in the village. You can also not wear a hat. This is the chief's privilege. It is necessary to clearly show respect for the chief. It will not be superfluous to give him a small gift. For example, this may be the root of Yangon, wine or cigars. It is customary to make small gifts to the owner of the house if you are invited to the house of a local resident. Locals usually give gifts in return. You can't refuse a gift. This is considered an affront here. You should praise the house and its owners. But don't focus on any particular subject. Otherwise, the persons may decide that they should give the item that the guest likes.

Islanders are sensitive to their cultural traditions, especially dancing. Movements are passed from one generation to another for centuries. Each dance is designed for a specific event. The locals mostly dance in groups. There are also male and female dances. The meke dance is performed especially often here. It is performed during cultural evenings for tourists. This is a traditional group dance. Both men and women participate in the dance. The movements are designed to demonstrate the strength of male warriors and female grace. Fijian Lali drums serve as an accompaniment. Tourists are also often invited to take part in the dance.

Poi is another spectacular dance. It serves to entertain visitors today. Women perform it as part of the ritual of walking on fire. This is a very exciting and unusual action.

Kava has a special place in the life of local residents. Almost every resident grows the roots of Yangon. Locals gather at the home of one of the villagers in the evenings to communicate and drink a relaxing drink from a single vessel. There are even proverbs dedicated to Kava here. For example: "Everyone should grow his own Kava."

The Taveuni Indian Diaspora also has its own dance and song culture. However, you can see traditional dances only on holidays. They are the brightest and most colorful in the Indian community. If you get to Taveuni in February, you will definitely not regret it. The Holi (day of the onset of spring and the flowering) is celebrated at this time here. Devali is also a very memorable sight. This is a festival of lights. It takes place in late October-November. Fireworks are the brightest part of the celebration.

There are no major festivals on the island. But Fijians celebrate both national and religious holidays on a grand scale. The natives love the New Year. They celebrate it with family and friends. It is customary to visit and exchange small gifts. Local people always celebrate Easter. They with the whole family go to Church for a festive service in the morning. They set a great table at home after returning from the church. This holiday is often celebrated by the entire community.

Public holidays are very important for Fijians. This is primarily Ratu Sukuna Day, celebrated on May 31, and Independence Day, October 11. Entertainment events with songs, dances, performances of musical groups and, of course, a meal consisting of numerous dishes of national cuisine are arranged everywhere these days. It is also customary to hold various sports events on Ratu Sukuna Day. The largest events are held in the capital. But competitions in rugby, surfing, and other sports are also necessarily arranged on Taveuni.