Saturday, January 31, 2009

What to do in Fiji - visiting a village

When visiting a village it is customary to present a gift of yaqona (kava). The gift, called a sevusevu, can be found in any local market for 15-20FJD.
Once at the village and at an appropriate time, you will present your gift to the head of the village, or in his absence, another Fijian representative (such as his brother). The presentation usually takes place in our Great Bure or down in the village The
sevusevu ceremony will generally be attended by all tribe members at the time, and any of the Fijian men that happen to be in the vicinity. The yaqona is pounded into powder, before being mixed with water and served in a bilo (coconut shell).
Important Tips About Visiting Villages:
Dress modestly. Women must wear a sulu and cover their shoulders when in the presence of the chief.
Take off your hat or sunglasses, and carry your rucksack in your hands (rather than over your shoulders) when entering a village. It is seen as a sign of disrespect to do otherwise.
Never wander around a Fijian village unaccompanied and always announce your presence
Always remove your shoes before entering any house or other building.
Never touch anyone on the head. In Fijian culture it is considered an insult to do so.
Stop when entering a bure and quietly sit cross-legged on the mat in the spot that
Speak softly. Raised voices are interpreted as expressing anger


You can find the lists of villages offering accomodation here and a video about how a Fijian village looks like here

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