FIJI: HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS

New Year’s Day.  January 1. In Fiji, some people celebrate New Year’s for a week. Everyone’s cultures contribute to the New Year’s celebrations. And no matter what your background is, dancing is almost always a part of the traditions. Traditional food is eaten (with the hands), and many Fijians celebrate with their national drink called Kava (or Yaqona). 

Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday. Varies (January/February). Many events are held on several islands around Fiji, organized by the Fiji Muslim League. Special prayer services are held, and people listen to stories of the Prophet’s life and lessons.

Good Friday/Easter.  Varies (March/April). In many villages, Easter is a time to wear your best clothes and attend a special Easter service at church, followed by a communal luncheon.  Music and dance are almost always a part of the celebrations as well. One of the annual traditions is called the Crosswalk, in representation of the walk that Jesus took. A few people are chosen to carry a large wooden cross while others follow along the 200 km (124 mi) of Queens Road. (Wow. And I get tired just going grocery shopping with both kids.)

Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day. Last Monday in May.  This is no longer a public holiday as of 2010. Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna is considered the father of modern Fiji, the first modern statesmen. Speeches and cultural events started about a week beforehand, leading up to the holiday itself. In March of 2010, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama declared that this day and National Youth Day didn’t need a day off of work in order to celebrate it. Party pooper.

National Youth Day.  May 4. This is no longer a public holiday as of 2010 (see note above). This holiday is a celebration of the nation’s youth, who make up a large portion of the population.  Each island or city would have its own celebrations and activities aimed towards the youth: mural painting, marches, team-building activities, concerts, dances, storytelling, etc. The theme changes every year, but always has something to do with solving community problems, education, and making a better community. 

Queen’s Birthday.  June 15. Although Fiji is no longer under British rule, they still celebrated the Queen’s Birthday. However, Commodore Bainimarama abolished this as an official holiday in 2012.  The military government also took her image off of their currency, replacing it with representations of local flora and fauna.

Fiji Day. October 10. This day commemorates the declaration of independence from Britain in 1970.  The week leading up to it is called Fiji Week. It’s become a celebration of Fiji’s ethnic and religious diversity.  Religious ceremonies and cultural festivals fill the week, along with traditional food and drink, music and dance.

Diwali. Varies (October/November). Diwali is a Hindu festival, also known as the “Festival of Lights,” in honor of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Although it’s a Hindu holiday, it’s also celebrated by non-Hindus. Fijian Hindus will often invite their neighbors (whether Hindu or not) over to enjoy the sweet treats of Diwali.  Schools and communities will often have Diwali activities for people to participate in and enjoy. People will also spend the days before the holiday cleaning and decorating their homes, then wearing new clothes for Diwali festivities. 

Christmas. December 25. Fijians tend to celebrate Christmas on a lower scale than other countries do. It’s more about spending time with family rather than on expensive gifts and wild decorations. Some may do these things as well, but on a much smaller scale. Many people attend the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass and sing Christmas carols. At night, children wait for Santa to bring a small assortment of gifts and toys during the night.  Fijians celebrate this holiday the way I love: with a lot of food! People eat all day and drink a lot of grog and kava. And they usually continue eating and drinking until the night. And then the next day, repeat.

Kava, the national drink.

Boxing Day. December 26. This is one of those holidays introduced by the British. In Fiji, it’s generally spent as the second day of Christmas: relaxing, perhaps working off that food and grog hangover/coma. For those who didn’t over-indulge on Christmas, the day is usually spent having a picnic at the beach and perhaps a swim.

Up next: art and literature