Fiji Easter |
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The moment you set foot on the island of Fiji you will be welcomed with “bula” which means hello. Though for thousands of years Fijians have been known for their ferocious nature and cannibalism, they have now become one of the most amicable people on earth. Anywhere you go on the island, you will receive warmth and friendliness of the people. |
For centuries Fiji has been the meeting point of Polynesian and Melanesian culture. To a great extent Christianity has also influenced the cultural and religious practices of Fijians. A Fiji Easter is celebrated in its own unique way.
In Fiji, Easter holidays have a very special significance. It is the time for families to get in touch with their relatives, a time for friends to get together and celebrate. Companies offer special discount offers on their products just like in Christmas time. For instance, telecom companies may offer special discount packages to subscribers, so that they can contact their friends and relatives at a lesser cost to their pocket.
Villages in Fiji have Christian masses during Easter. Each Fijian island celebrates Easter in its own way. You may not even find a proper church there. A wooden hut may serve as a church for holding mass. People dress up in their best Sunday dress and they dress up their children in a very nice way. All those who wish to visit the village should bring a present for the chief. This tradition of giving a present in exchange for a favor is locally known as ‘sevu-sevu’. The sermons in the village church take place in the local language. Women stand on one side and men on the other and they sing together the praises of the Lord.
There is a very interesting and peculiar culture followed by Fijians during Easter. Among a group of islands in Fiji there is only one cross which they share among themselves for the rituals. The cross is transported from one island to another by floating it on the water. Over a dozen men swim over the lagoon from one island to another pushing the boat carrying the cross over water. Women travel in a boat giving encouragement to their men with singing. It takes about three hours to transport the cross from one island to the other. A festive traditional meal is served to the entire group after they reached the island with the cross. Finally all festivities end with Kava, which is a traditional drink made up of 'Piper Methysticum', a plant which is a bit narcotic in nature. In this way, a Fiji Easter is very different from the Easter which is celebrated in the Western world. Keep reading Dgreetings to know more about Easter.
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