FIJI'S PREHISTORY

Fiji was known as the Cannibal Islands. Cannibalism was part of heathen life in those days. It was a pivotal part of life. Chiefs had more power to influence such tasks. Even though it maybe humorous to talk about such events now, in those days life was difficult. Their lives was dominated by rules and customs that a wrong move may mean death. It is a prerogative then to learn the customs well and undertake any transaction or activity with great care not to offend anyone, particularly anyone older than you.

Fiji is a patriarchal society, and polygamy was very common. Women were not treated with a lot of dignity. Most lead a servitude lifestyle from their childhood until death. Those of a higher rank maybe given special treatment and may have servants.

The Fijian society consists of a very well organized system of hierarchy, both on a social and economic level. Its rich and vibrant culture is significantly seen in museum collections and archives around the world.

ETHNOLOGY

During prehistoric times, only Fijian women were tattooed. The indigenous name for tattooing is "QIA". The process of tattooing is called "VEIQIA". Since women are the only one that are tattooed these made the person conducting the tattooing to be a woman as well. It takes months to have the complete body tattooed, which can be a painful exercise.

Soon after the tattoo process is completed, a celebration was undertaken to mark the end of the tattooing process. Polynesian, such as Maori, Samoan and Tongan tattooing is known to have originated from Fiji. Apart from tattooing, women also have ornamentals scars on their skin, sometimes in concentric circles as a mark of beauty. If you need more information or references, contact the website administrator click here.

Vasu Relationship

vanua and kingdom and in this case, the women link up the blood relationship and ties between these tribes and kingdoms.

Vasu provides extra ordinary privileges of taking whatever belongs to his uncle (Momo or mothers brothers) or those under his uncle power. However, this is done in a respectful way. The vasu i taukei is a term that applies to any vasu whose mother is the lady of the land. The vasu taukei can claim anything that belongs to his mothers land. This is similarly applies in Tonga whereby this relationship is called "fahu"

  

In the olden days, dress and clothing say a thousand words. Dress can signify rank, seniority, gender, age and role in the Fijian society. Even the color and design of what one wears speaks volumes. For instance the color of a masi (Fijian barkcloth) one wears to an occasion such as a dance, have significance. Someone wearing brown masi is of the highest rank in the land, in particular if the majority of his or her dress is all brown in color. See below some special dress worn by women and men in the olden days:

Malo - loincloth made of masi that is rightfully fit for men when they reach manhood. This masi is put between the legs and tied around the waist. At times some men have a certain train (piece of masi that is the tail of the malo) hanging from behind them onto the ground. The length of the train of the malo signifies rank and chiefly status. The longer it is the higher the rank of the wearer.

Wabale (Sash) - Mainly worn by chiefly rank of paramount chief in the tribe. This piece of masi is put across the chest of the wearer, and may be of variety of color, white, brown or chequered.

I Sala (Turbans)- Older men, chiefs in particular use white muslin masi to cover their head. This was such a respectable way of marking ones position, as only chiefs would enjoy wearing things over their head. Visit a museum near your place to see some examples of turbans or visit your library to see books with pictures of old man-wearing turbans.

Since Fijians have admixtures of Melanesian and Polynesian, the link to Melanesia has provided the unique identity of Fijian hair to be of an "Afro" style (see below of some examples courtesy of the Fiji Museum). The style and decoration of hair signified certain events, age and even the rank one holds in the Fijian society. For instance, during mourning, men often shave their head. Or during war times, shaving half of their head signifies revenge against another tribe.

Many museums have Fijian wooden combs (I Seru) similar to what still exist in Fiji today. Older folk in the past use an ornamental piece of wood called I Mila to scratch their head. This was quite handy to those who have a lot of hair on their head.

Floral Adornment

Whether you are a female or male in the Fijian society, to have garlands in the olden days is such a respectable and marking the momentous occasion. With Fiji fortunate of being a tropical island nation, we are fortunate to have plentiful abundance of flowers. In addition, some plants or a flower has become unique representation of certain island and tribes of Fiji. This will be featured on this site in the near future, so Watch this space!

Salusalu or garland of flowers placed around the neck is a mark of celebration and a happy occasion. For instance, newly wed couples wear salusalu during weddings, or in more recent times, salusalu is worn during graduations. Flowers are arranged neatly in a consistent fashion over woven and process vau (hibiscus fibres), and normally flowers that have beautiful smell are chosen. Some examples of such flowers are bua (frangipani) and jiale (gardenia).

Necklaces-Apart from floral garlands, men and women also wear necklaces around their neck. These would be made of shells, wood or pottery. Even though women use this as part of their dress to certain merry-making occasions, in recent times, men are using them as well to wear over their island Bula Shirt.

Wreaths-Flowers are used to beautify wreaths, for use during funerals. In the past, special flowers are planted around graveyards to mark boundaries and beautify the cemeteries. Nowadays, with the presence of plastic flowers, this is commonly used in Fiji due to its durability.

Salusalu-adornment (Garland)-Vono, Sisi
Necklaces
Wreaths

Fijian people are proud to show their prowess, and to mark them by wearing certain necklaces or head ornaments also significantly show their line in society. Civavonovono (breastplate) and Wasekaseka (split sperm whale tooth) are the two top most necklaces that can be work by a chief. These ornaments were made in Tonga and brought in to Fiji. Visit your local museum to view great examples of such necklaces.

Civa vonovono
Wasekaseka/Waseisei
Taube
Qato
I Seru
I Mila-made of balabala stick

During prehistoric times, Fijians live a basic and subsistence life. They use natural resources around them, such as wood, stones and clay for instance to make their tools. Manufacturing of such items was made within certain tribes, or in some places is a communal activity. For example, the tanoa (Kava bowl) or kali (head rest) were made by the Mataisau or liga ni kau tribe (Carpenters) while the Saqa (water vessels) or Kuro (Cooking Pot) were made by the Gonedau tribe (Fisher-folk). View below a list of selected items that form the core of tools and implements in a Fijian household.

Kali - headrest
Takona - food pounder
Tanoa/kumete - Yaqona bowl
Bilo ni Yaqona - Yaqona cup
Sedre - Flat dish/oil dish
Dari - Kuro - Pot
Buburau - Yaqona dish
Saqa - water vessels
 ·  Saqa drua
 ·  Saqamoli
 ·  Saqa ni wai
 ·  Saqa drua tabua

Fijians are happy people and merrymaking such as dancing play such a pivotal role in the Fijian society. The list of dance below categorizes certain dances based on gender or your place of origin. For example, the Meke I Wau (Club dance) or Meke wesi (Fan Dance) is a men dance only. Whereby Vakamalolo (Meke from Malolo), which is a sitting dance can be performed by both men, and women or even a mix. The lakalaka, on the other hand is the trademark combined dance of men and women from Lau Province, and has its origins to the Kingdom of Tonga. As for the dress, masi or leaves are used. Vesa that are either made of leaves of vau (dried hibiscus fibers) are worn around the ankles, wrists or even on the upper arm. Both both men and women can also wear Vesa.

See below for two examples of dance costumes for women's standing dance or seasea.

Dances
Mekei Wau
Meke wesi
Vakamalolo
Seasea
Lakalaka

As part of merrymaking and entertainment, Fijians again rely on their natural resources such as wood, bamboos and shells to assist them to produce and compose their own musical instruments. In every Fijian village, a huge Lali or gong is used to call people together. There are also smaller ones that are used for dancing. One has to have special skills mostly passed on through the family to be able to master the various beats and musical tunes demanded by Fijian dances. The Davui, with made from shell or bamboo is used by those who live near the coast or in the highlands respectively. The provinces of Naitasiri and Namosi are well known to have had davui bitu as their means of calling people together or sending coded messages. Can you decipher such codes?

Lali - drums/gongs
Davui - conch shell
Davui bitu - conch made of bamboos


Fijian drums and musical instruments

It is well known in the Pacific that coconut trees are trees of life. Magimagi or coconut sinnet was a common commodity in the Fijian society. For those who live in the highlands, such items is so highly prized and was traded in through barter system from those of the coastal regions. Men, mainly older ones, often make making of ropes from crushed coconut fibers.

In the case of thatching either for a Fijian house or sails for a canoe, special needles are used to join us sewn mats together. Such needles can be made of bones, and if used properly, this can survive for over a long period of time.

Thatching
Needles: I Vura
Sail needle-saulaca
Magimagi-coconut sinnet (Coils of magimagi can be 7 miles long: Ewins, 1973:83)

Fijian weapons have grazed the walls of many museums or art dealers all around the world. They are highly valuable now since they are not used actively as compared to the olden days. War clubs for instance are beautifully carved and some have made them as ornamental pieces in their own homes. See below some examples. Have you ever wondered as to how they were made, or used for? Watch this space!

Wau - Clubs
Dakai Titi - Bows and Arrows-arrows made of reeds
Slings
Moto - Spears
Matau - Axe

Our forefathers were ocean-going people. They move from one island to another on their own canoes designed and built by their Mataisau (carpentry clan). Depending on where you live in Fiji, the vessel you will use will reflect your place of origin. For instance, those in the highlands such as Namosi and Naitasiri, they use bitu (bamboos) which grow abundantly in their region. They make what is commonly known today as bilibili or colloquially known as OHMS No Come Back!

Fiji was known to have manufactured huge drua or double hull canoes, made of vesi. The island of Kabara is well known to have been the center place of manufacturing such huge vessels. The Kabara people have special links that takes back to Samoa and Tonga. They are skilled craftspeople. Just imagine yourself traveling on a Fijian Drua! This dream can come true if you travel to Nadi and travel on the Tabutabu Soro which is one of the very few surviving Drua, operating from the Sheraton Marina. information.

Camakau - Outtrigger
Drua - doubble hull canoe
Tongiaki - Tongan double hull canoe
Bavelo - single hull used within the lagoon and inner shores