Being Culturally Appropriate in the Village

There are lots of traditional protocols and etiquettes in a Fijian village. On a practical level, by learning a few of these customs, it will ensure you make a great impression from the moment you arrive. You will learn plenty naturally by being receptive in a village, but here are just a few key ones to really impress and be as culturally appropriate within a tradtioal Fijian village setting, use this list as a bit of revision before arriving:

In the House

Always take off your footwear (including flip flops) before entering any house, community hall or church.
Immediately sit on the floor as soon as you enter any household, Fijian society works on physical levels and if you are openly standing taller that anyone you are placing yourself higher in household hierarchy. The rule of thumb is to be ‘at the level’ of anyone else in the room.
Fijians consider it offensive to walk in front of a person seated on the floor, if you do need to pass someone who is seated please try to pass behind them physically stooping low and repeatedly say “tulou” (excuse me) softly (remember, it’s all about levels!).
Fijians regard the head as sacred so try not to touch another person’s head, especially children.
If taking an item from a shelf above someone’s head, first ask if it is ok to reach over their head and get it, stand up and grab the item, then immediately sit back down on the floor cross legged and ‘cobo’ three times (a clap with cupped hands). This shows respect as you stood higher than somebody and reached above their head. (If you get this one right, you’ll really impress!).

Around the Village

Always dress modestly in the village. For women, this means shoulders and knees should be covered at all times in the village, including when swimming in the creeks or sea, and when walking on the beach.
Politeness is central to Fijian society. Never rush past someone without saying hello. Even If you do not know them say “bula”(hello) or “yadra” (good morning). You do not need to do this in large towns, but you should in any village and rural location.
You should remove your hat or cap when walking through the village, and objects such as backpacks, handbags, towels and cameras etc should be carried in your hands rather than over the shoulder (particulary when walking past the chief’s house).
It is considered rude to be unnecessarily loud in a Fijian village so please try to refrain from whistling or shouting unless it is an appropriate setting to do so.
Try to avoid walking on the village green, these are traditionally sacred places so best to stick to paths!
It is extremely rare to see any public display of affection between men and women in Fijian society – holding hands, kissing or cuddling or even publicly talking 1-on-1 with somebody of the opposite sex for a long period of time. This would cause immense embarrassment for local people so we ask all volunteers to be very mindful of this.

In a kava session

Sitting with your legs stretched out in front of you or with your knees up during kava ceremonies, meetings or when eating dinner is viewed as disrespectful. Whilst drinking kava, ask permission to stretch your legs and never point them at anyone or at the tanoa (kava bowl). When drinking grog, men will sit cross-legged, whilst women will generally sit with their feet to the side.
If offered kava (yaqona), cobo once (clap with cupped hands), take the bowl, say bula, and drink it all in one gulp. Then hand the bowl back to the same person and clap three times saying vinaka (thank you).
Make sure never to sit ‘above the bowl’ with the elders, sit with everyone else behind the mixer.
Try not to turn your back to the elders or the wooden bowl used for mixing (tanoa).

Mealtime

Meals are eaten while sitting cross-legged on the floor.
Eat with your hands, using a spoon provided for more liquid based foods!
In a communal meal with plenty of food on offer ‘buffet style’ in the middle of the mat, try to take what is in front of you rather than reaching across to plates further away from you.
When sharing a meal, please remember to wait until grace has been said before eating.
Once you are finished eating, wash your hands in the bowl provided and dry with the towel next to it.
If you are finished, physically move yourself away from the table and sit somewhere else in the room, this will allow anyone else who is waiting to eat to jump right in and get eating!.
As you move away from the meal, say ‘vinaka na kakana’ (thank you for the food) to those who prepared it

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