Cultural & Eco-Tourism TV

From their location at the crossroads of the Pacific, Fiji offers an exotic and complementary blend of various cultures: Melanesian, Polynesian, Indian, European and Chinese which is reflected in Fijian customs, language, food, architecture and ambiance.

Fiji is probably the only place on earth where you can truly experience the perfect harmony between a land, its people and a melting-pot culture that has remained virtually unchanged for centuries. You'll be fascinated by the many age-old traditions in which you can actually interact in an authentic, non-commercial way with the friendly, gentle Fijians.

Kava
The most ubiquitous ritual is the kava or 'yaqona' (pronounced yan-gona) ceremony whereby Fiji's national drink, made from the root of the pepper tree, is used to welcome visitors as honored guests, christen babies, seal treaties or close business deals among other ceremonial and social uses.

Firewalking
Certain to fascinate is the firewalking ritual where Fijians walk barefoot over red-hot coals. It is truly one of the more spectacular sights in Fiji. The Fijians perform this at hotels on Viti Levu, or on the Island of Beqa where they were first given this gift according to legend. The Indians perform the firewalking as a Hindu religious observance. Check at your hotel tour desk for details on performances.

Meke
Of course, no trip to Fiji would be complete without experiencing a colorful evening of traditional Fijian song and dance - 'meke' - by local villagers or resort island staff members.

The Fijian meke features both men and women in a program of traditional song and dance. The various provinces in Fiji have different dance routines. The meke usually depicts a story. The performances are quite colorful and participants wear traditional island costumes of printed bark cloth (tapa) and accessories woven from flowers and leaves. Musical accompaniment is provided Lali (drum carved from the bark of a tree) and a hollow bamboo pole beaten rhythmically on the ground.

The daily integration of these and other social and cultural traditions serve as a reminder that Fiji is more than an unspoiled tropical paradise, but a land where the past remains one of it's most vibrant and precious national resources.