Oceania > Fiji > Fiji Art / Culture Profile 2012

Fiji: Fiji Art / Culture Profile 2012

2012/03/12

          更多  

 

 

 

Fiji Art / Culture Profile 2012

Fiji's culture is a rich mosaic of indigenous, Indian, Chinese and European traditions. Culture is made up of many aspects, being social polity, traditions, language, food, costume, belief system, architecture, arts, craft, music, dance and sports which will be discussed in this article to give you an indication of Fiji's indigenous community but also the various communities which make up Fiji as a modern culture.

People in Culture and Society

The indigenous culture is very much an active and living culture, and is a part of everyday life for the Majority of the population. However, it has evolved with the introduction of vibrant and old cultures like the Indian and Chinese cultures, as well as a large influence from European culture, and various cultures from the Pacific neighbor's of Fiji; the Tonga and Rotuma cultures are the most dominant of these. The Culture of Fiji is shown in its traditions and hierarchy, its language and has created a unique communal and national identity.

Tradition and Hierarchy

Fijian indigenous society is very communal, with great importance attached to the family unit, the village, and the vanua (land) . A hierarchy of chiefs presides over villages, clans, and tribes. Chiefly positions are hereditary; a deceased chief is invariably followed by a kinsman, though not necessarily his own son. This reflects Polynesian influence: in most other Melanesian societies, chiefs are appointed on merit.

The largest social unit for Fijians is the Yavusa, defined by historian R.A. Derrick as the "direct agnate descendants of a single kalou-vu" (deified ancestor). Chiefly succession was from older brother to younger brother, after the death of their father. When the youngest brother died, the eldest son of the eldest brother became chief. This tradition still influences Fijian society today, though less rigidly: there is more of a tendency nowadays towards primogeniture.

Each brother in the family then formed his own branch of the yavusa, called the Mataqali. Each mataqali became the custodian of a specific task. A fully developed Yavusa has several mataqali:

* Turaga : This mataqali descends from the original ancestor through primogeniture - inheritance of the eldest son in each succeeding generation. The chief of a village is always chosen from the Turaga mataqali.
* Sauturaga : These are next in rank to the chiefs, support him, and enforce his commands and also have final say in the installation of a Chief
* Mata ni vanua : These form the official heralds of the village. They are also in charge of ceremonial functions.
* Bete : This was the traditional priestly class. The kalou-vu was believed to speak through the Bete.
* Bati : This mataqali forms the traditional warrior class.
* Dau and Matai : these are the crafts people and specialized skilled people of the tribe e.g Dau ni vucu (Poet/choreographer/composer), Dau ni yau (treasurer), Mataisau (carpenter/or Canoe builder)

The mataqali are subdivided into Tokatoka, each comprising closely related families.

Several Yavusa comprise a village, several of which form a district. The British colonial rulers amalgamated the districts into Yasana, or Provinces. The districts also form three Matanitu, or Confederacies. These are often said to be agglomerations of provinces, but as the latter were a colonial imposition, the boundaries do not coincide exactly, and the Provinces of Ba and Ra are each split between two Confederacies. The Kubuna Confederacy covers Tailevu, Bau, and Verata, on the south east side of the main island of Viti Levu. and the Lomaitviti group, This Confederacy in modern Fiji is considered to be the most senior. The other two are Burebasaga (covering the rest of Viti Levu), and Tovata, covering Vanua Levu, and the Lau archipelago. Despite its isolation and relatively small size, Tovata has been politically dominant since Fiji gained its independence in 1970.

more about : Language
more about : Performing Arts
more about : Sports Culture
more about : diverse Cultures