Fiji Culture Holidays

Fijian Village Tours

Fijian culture is very rich in traditional beliefs and many aspects of life today are as they were a hundred years ago. Fijians live within a strict hierarchical system with the village chiefs receiving the respect of all. Fijian chiefs are hereditary titles, mostly through the male lineage, and the ranking of chiefs throughout the country is ordered into a strict hierarchical system of mataqalis, vanuas and yavusas (clans and sub clans). This intense social make-up has caused a number of bitter disputes in the past and is an underlying issue in modern day politics. If you're not a chief you're referred to as a commoner and your powers are limited.

Fijians first settled their homeland about 8,000 years ago from south-east Asia. These Melanesian people also settled the islands to the north and east of Fiji like Vanuatu, New Caledonia and The Solomon Islands. A second migration from south-east Asia, distinguished by the arrival of Lapita pottery, brought Polynesians to Fiji about 3,000 years ago. Some of these Polynesians progressed further to the then uninhabited islands of Tonga, Samoa, Tahiti, New Zealand and Hawaii.

Ancient Fijians are well documented as being cannibals, engaging in gruesome localised warfare and believing in a animated spirit world. They lived in small fortified villages and formed clans with neighbouring villages through polygamy. However, they are less credited for being excellent sailors and navigators of the vast South Pacific Ocean and fine craftsmen and pottery makers. Unfortunately most of these skills have been forgotten or neglected and the ancient wood and thatch buildings have succumbed to the intense heat, rain and cyclones of the tropics, leaving only the rock foundations buried in the rainforest. Fiji's legends have been passed down through story-telling and dances known as meke.

Europeans 'discovered' the Fiji Islands in 1643, but it wasn't until after The Mutiny of the Bounty in 1789 that contact with the people was made. Over the next 100 years, trade, wars and friendships were made between rival Europeans and rival Fijian tribes. In 1874, tired of endless quarrels and warfare, King Cakabau ceded his kingdom to Britain at the historic old capital of Levuka on Ovalau. The British brought Colonial rule and introduced Indian labourers to the new sugar plantations. Fiji regained it's independence by mutual consent in 1970. There are now almost 800,000 people living in Fiji. Half are indigenous Fijians (and Rotumans), about 44% Indians and the remainder of European or Chinese origin.

Visiting a Fijian Village

Visiting a traditional Fijian Village is a very humbling experience and can be experienced throughout Fiji. Village tours can be organised by resorts, usually visiting the local village where many of the resort staff come from. Naturally, the outer islands have more authentic villages being further from the urban centres and having exposure to fewer tourists. Despite this, some of the most traditional regions and remotest villages can be found on the main island of Viti Levu, deep in the interior. Bukuya and Navala inland from Nadi are two very picturesque villages to visit (both accessible on day tours from Nadi), whilst the densely forested regions of Namosi and Naitasiri inland from Suva teem with life and can be accessed on 4WD tours from Suva or on river tours from Pacific Harbour.

Find out more about Fijian villages and visiting as a tourist

Sigatoka Sandunes National Park, Coral Coast

This 4-mile stretch of large windswept sand dunes along the coast is a protected environment administered by the National Trust of Fiji. The park has a very informative visitor centre about the ancient inhabitants and ecology of the region. Pottery sherd from the Lapita Era (1000 years ago), buried in time by drifting sands, can be found scattered amongst the sand dunes and several archaeological excavations have revealed ancient fishing settlements. There are several official trails to explore the sand dunes which often expose these ancient pottery shards.

Tavuni Hill Fort, Coral Coast

Important archaeological sight with preserved foundations, ceremonial sites and killing stones. A visitor centre and guided tours provide a detailed insight into how life used to be in Fiji's past. Tavuni is set on the peak of a fortified hill overlooking the rich farming area of the Sigatoka River Valley. A tar-sealed road follows the river from Sigatoka Town making it easy to get to from the resorts along the Coral Coast. The road continues beyond Tavuni alongside the river and through traditional villages right into the interior. Local buses leave from Sigatoka Town and it is easy to get off en-route and explore the surrounding hills.

Rock Paintings

Ancient rock paintings can be seen on Vatulele in the Southern Islands. There are two separate sites. One is 20 meters up on a cliff face and depicts human-like figures and hand impressions. The other, at the opening to an inland cave, shows numerous hand impressions. Unfortunately they are quite difficult to get to unless staying at the beautiful and justifiably expensive resort on the island.

There are also rock paintings in the caves on Sawa-i-Lau in the Yasawa Group.

Levuka, Old Capital

The Old Capital of Levuka on Ovalau is a charming colonial town which lost its power almost 100 years ago and has since still in time. Most buildings are well preserved and there are several historical sights including a monument where King Cakabau signed Fiji over to the Queen Victoria in 1874. Fiji's oldest hotel, the Royal is located in Levuka along with several churches built in the mid 1800's. There are also several home-stays available in Levuka.

Museum / Cultural Centre

The Fiji Museum in Suva, Viti Levu, has an excellent display of trinkets from the past as well as some larger objects like traditional canoes. The Museum is a great place to soak up the atmosphere from Fiji's mystical past.

There's a Cultural Centre at Pacific Harbour which offers theatrical displays of Fiji's past and present culture but it is too commercialised to be of much interest to discerning travellers. Another commercial presentation of a mock Fijian village is offered by the Ka Levu Cultural Centre near Sigatoka where an impressive re-constructed Fijian temple is the highlight.

Fijians claim rights mostly via their father's village (the yavusa) and are granted land to build a house and farm a small plantation. Land can be sub-leased (mostly to Indian sugar cane farmers, industries and tourist resorts) under the discretion of the village elders and the money used for village improvements, schools and social functions like weddings and funerals. Fund raising is an important part of the communal lifestyle of the village environment and many villages have communal land for growing yaqona and root crops to be used for village functions.

Yaqona

Yaqona is the traditional drink of Fiji and serves as a ceremonial and social mediator between parties. Yaqona ceremonies are performed at all social and cultural events from village fund-raising to Weddings. Participants sit in a circle on the floor facing the tanoa, a large hand-carved wooden bowl used for mixing the drink. Participants drink the brown liquid from a small half coconut shell of mixed Yaqona, one at a time, amidst chanting and hand-clapping. The taste is quite unusual to the western palette and leaves a slight numbing effect on the tongue. Drunk in volume, Yaqona causes lethargy and a slight loss of co-ordination, or, as the Fijians like to put it, relaxation. Guests are also welcomed to a village through the Sevusevu Ceremony whereby the guest presents Yaqona roots to the village headman or chief as a sign of respect after which the chief and guest sit down together and share the Yaqona drink. This is a great way to get to know the people.

The Meke

The Meke, or traditional dance, is a very popular show performed at most holiday resorts and on special occasions in the villages or town parks. The dances can involve both powerful actions and more graceful movements. Mekes tell the stories of ancient legends and in particular the victories in war. Accompanying chants, hand-clapping and drum beating enhances the spectacle.

Firewalking

Fijian fire-walking is unique to the island of Beqa in the Southern Islands and this is the only place you will see it as a genuine ceremony. The ceremony requires performers to observe strict traditional protocol before they can walk barefoot on extremely hot stones. The only realistic chance to see fire-walking is either at the Cultural Centre at Pacific Harbour which hosts several fire-walking performances each week or at a few of the larger resorts along the Coral Coast in Viti Levu.

Cultural Centre, Pacific Harbour

Replica traditional boats take visitors on a tranquil journey live displays of Fijian culture. Theatrical displays of warriors fighting are performed on a small central island, along with traditional dances (meke) and Fijian fire-walking (some days only). Good introduction to how life was.

Fiji Museum, Suva

Located in the heart of Suva's botanical gardens, the Fiji Museum holds a remarkable collection which includes archaeological material dating back 3,500 years and cultural objects representing both Fiji's indigenous inhabitants and other communities that have settled in the island group over the past 100 years.

 

The following accommodation are our favourite places to stay for interaction with the local Fijian community:

Fiji Accommodation Directory - Listed by Price
Top Picks
Resort Name (click for details & pix)	Picture	Summary (hotel style)	Hotel Rate (F$)	Our Best Rate (click for quotation)
Yasawa Island Resort Northern Yasawas		17 rooms Beach Resort	$ 2,019 +
Matangi Island Resort Off Taveuni Island		14 rooms Island Resort	$ 800 - 1,400
First Landing Resort Vuda Point, Nadi		32 rooms Beach Resort	$ 385 - 540
Papageno Resort Kadavu Island		15 rooms Beach Resort	$ 235 - 355
Safe Landing Resort Northern Yasawas		14 rooms Beach Resort	$ 110 - 170 Dorm - $ 35
Yasawa Travel Pass Yasawa Islands		Dorm Beach Huts	$ 90 - 120 Dorm - $ 35
Bibi Hideaway Taveuni Island		6 rooms Lodge	$ 86 - 118
Highly Recommended
Resort Name (click for details & pix)	Picture	Summary (hotel style)	Hotel Rate (F$)	Our Best Rate (click for quotation)
Paradise Taveuni Taveuni Island		12 rooms Ocean Resort	$ 700 - 760
Lalati Resort Beqa Island		8 rooms Beach Resort	$ 610 - 1,140
Matava Resort Kadavu Island		10 rooms Ocean Resort	$ 420 - 540
Anchorage Resort Vuda Point, Nadi		39 rooms Beach Resort	$ 198 - 358
Long Beach Resort Northern Yasawas		9 rooms Beach Huts	$ 70 - 90 Dorm - $ 25
Others to Consider
Resort Name (click for details & pix)	Picture	Summary (hotel style)	Hotel Rate (F$)	Our Best Rate (click for quotation)
Lomalagi Resort Savusavu, Vanua Levu		6 rooms Beach Resort	$ 695 - 795
Uprising Resort Pacific Harbour		24 rooms Beach Resort	$ 235- 375 Dorm - $ 45
Naigani Island Resort Off Ovalau Island		16 rooms Beach Resort	$ 220 - 385
Levuka Homestay Ovalau Island		4 rooms Town B&B	$ 160
Tavua Hotel North Viti Levu		15 rooms Town Hotel	$ 138 - 181 Dorm - $ 38
Rakiraki Hotel North Viti Levu		20 rooms Town Hotel	$ 100
Raintree Lodge Suva Hills		19 rooms Lodge	$ 67 - 165 Dorm - $ 35