A Cultural Immersion - the Family Way

visiting traditional Fijians

By Marilyn Cushman

The water outside my hotel was warm and shallow, with blue holes and coral mounds. I was busy diving and snorkeling when suddenly on surfacing I found myself surrounded by a group of

young giggling children, eager to practise their English. They wanted to know who this strange white woman was, all alone and swimming in their favorite spot.

When I told them I was a teacher they insisted on singing their favorite school song, and burst out with "Waltzing Mathilda"- no doubt learned from an Aussie teacher.

This was my first introduction to Fijian song, but there was much more to come.

Being true to Fijian hospitality, they invited me back to their village the next day, which was Sunday. I rightly assumed that all would attend church so dressed in my Sunday best. What they didn't tell me was that the service was four hours long!

The children and I were the first to sit in the church so i randomly selected a seat in the middle. The church then began to slowly fill up with villagers, but a strange thing was happening. I was surrounded by men, and all the women were on the other side! Everyone was to polite to point out my faux pas.

So there I was, a lone white woman amid a group of brown male faces.

Soon the preacher arrived, looking beautiful in his pale blue suit jacket and matching skirt. The sermon was all in Fijian of course, But what made it all worthwhile was the beautiful singing of the choir. Fijian women are renowned for their ethereal voices.

But that wasn't the end of the music, since I had a mid-floor lunch to attend, with the background music supplied by...Madonna!

Oh well, this cross-cultural experience was definitely woth it.

Further Information

Other helpful information: Fijians are very friendly but watch out for government coups.

Must see/do at this place: Visit a church or other site where choirs are singing.

You should avoid here: main city Suva