Fiji Local Customs


	If you bring KAVA with you you...	Tip Rating:

By James_Cooke

on August 26, 2002

by James_Cooke
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If you bring KAVA with you you are welcome everywhere.
Kava is like the national drink in Fiji. It's a root that is pouderized and pressed(mixed) in water in a big wood bowl (like an up side down tortoise). Then you drink this with a little ritual in coconuts shell. The effect is amazing, you are very zen (calm, cool...) and you make nice dreams. It has a little anestesic effect on the tongue. What is funnyer, the first time you take some you will need maybe 8 or 9 to feel it good but the second time 7 and then 5 and so on... So it's an anticommercial 'drogue'.
There it's very popular, everybody drinks it (even the police) and on each occasion. If you want a band to play music in the night, you just have to say to one of the musician you will offer the Kava. It's cheap. This picture has nothing to do with Kava, these two Fijians just came back with our dinner.


	Most travellers will have the...	Tip Rating:

By Jillworld

on August 25, 2002

by Jillworld
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Most travellers will have the opportunity to participate in a Kava ceremony - you drink it, clap and say Bula (you will hear this greeting often). Kava is some sort of root (squeezed into water) that has drug-like effects - I had a couple of bowls full and ended up with a numb face and spaced out feel. Don't worry though - all natural! It is a ceremony Fijians perform to welcome or bid farewell to friends, or that's what they told us.


	Greet people by saying 'Bula!'...	Tip Rating:

By Kis_Jutka

on August 26, 2002

by Kis_Jutka
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Greet people by saying 'Bula!' (the equivalent of hello) If invited to visit a Fijian family, bring a gift -- yaqona or kava is always welcome, much like taking a bottle a wine to someone's house. But do not show up at a village uninvited. Trust me, once you get to know a few locals, the invitations will be quick and forthcoming. When visiting a bure (house) remove your shoes. Be respectful of your hosts and be on your best behaviour especially with the village chief and his family. Remove your sunglasses when talking to someone. And never touch a Fijian's head or hair, they consider that part of the body private and even sacred. Do your best, but don't be stressed out about acting perfectly, Fijians are very tolerant of visitors. If you don't understand something or don't know what to do, just ask!


	Fijitime = everything takes 'a...	Tip Rating:

By Felipe42

on August 26, 2002

Fijitime = everything takes 'a bit' longer than expected / told to you. It's great, everybody's very relaxed over there. And you will be too after some (Fiji)time!


	Kava is the local drink and...	Tip Rating:

By mark88

on August 25, 2002

by mark88
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Kava is the local drink and its drunk by the Fijian men in a special ceremony. First you say Bula, clap your hands once, take the bowl, drink it, then clap your hands three times. When someone else is drinking you clap with them.


	Everyone needs to have their...	Tip Rating:

on August 25, 2002

Everyone needs to have their shoulders covered when visiting the villages. And woman should have their knees covered. The Fijian people are extremely accomodating and will never tell you if you have done something wrong.


	Dress appropriately when...	Tip Rating:

By Kis_Jutka

on August 26, 2002

by Kis_Jutka
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Dress appropriately when visiting a city or a village -- this goes for men and women. The Fijians dress very conservatively. When outside the resort women should wear longer skirts (sulus, the local wraps, are fun and attractive) and make sure their shoulders are covered.


	Give kava!	Tip Rating:

By TracyG

on August 25, 2002

by TracyG
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Village life

When/if visiting a local village always offer a little amount of money, or better still, buy some kava root and present it to the chief on your arrival. This shows a great deal of respect, and goes a little way to repaying the amazing welcome that you will be shown.


	Fiji has two cultures:...	Tip Rating:

Updated By GeneralTso

on August 25, 2002

Fiji has two cultures: Polynesian and Indian. These tips refer to polynesian culture: It is rude to touch people on the head (hats are also considered rude and only tourists wear them). When sitting down and drinking yanqona, do not point your feet at anyone. If you visit someone, bring a gift (yaqona is a great gift!). Take off your shoes when you enter a house.