cultural Etiquette in fiji and at the mission
DO's
✅ DO These Things
- ✅ Say "Bula!" to everyone you meet (universal friendly greeting)
- ✅ Remove shoes before entering homes, temples, some shops
- ✅ Remove hats and sunglasses when meeting chiefs or entering villages
- ✅ Sit cross-legged on floor (tailor position), never with legs extended
- ✅ Ask permission before photographing people or ceremonies
- ✅ Cover shoulders and knees in villages and religious sites
- ✅ Use both hands when giving or receiving gifts
- ✅ Smile and maintain friendly, patient demeanor always
- ✅ Speak softly. Raised voices are interpreted as anger
- ✅ Respect "Fiji time" - things run on relaxed schedule
- ✅ Bring sevusevu (small gift) when visiting homes (food, school supplies)
- ✅ Wait for elders to eat first at meals
- ✅Dress modestly - women- one piece bathing suit or modest two piece. Tops with straps.
don'ts
❌ DON'T Do These Things
- ❌ Touch someone's head, even a child (considered most sacred part of body)
- ❌ Point with index finger (use open hand gesture instead)
- ❌ Show soles of feet to people (very disrespectful)
- ❌ Step over people sitting on ground (walk around them)
- ❌ Enter villages without announcing yourself
- ❌ Express to much liking for an object or Fijians will feel obligated to give it to you as a gift
- ❌ Wear swimwear/revealing clothing outside resort areas
- ❌ Photograph without permission, especially in villages
- ❌ Raise voice or show anger publicly (loss of face)
- ❌ Wear military-style camouflage clothing (illegal in some contexts)
- ❌ Sunbathe topless (illegal) or wear bikinis, thongs, or strapless tops (culturally offensive)
- ❌ Walk through villages with just swimwear on
- ❌ Compare ethnic groups negatively or discuss politics
- ❌ Talk loudly during kava preparation if you will be attending a kava ceremony (sacred quiet time)
*SEE NOTE BELOW
a note about kava
Kava is a tropical shrub native to the South Pacific Islands, including Fiji, where it has been used for centuries in religious ceremonies, social gatherings, and storytelling sessions. The root of the plant is traditionally ground into a paste, mixed with water or coconut milk, and consumed as a drink with mild hallucinogenic properties. We do not consume Kava at the Mission as its safety profile has not been fully established and it is not approved by the FDA. Additionally, we do not approve of mood-altering substances. At Mission resort excursions that demonstrate a Kava ceremony, the focus is on the tradition of the ceremony. The Kava itself is an extremely mild preparation, a small amount (a sip), and is prepared in sanitary conditions. Kindly decline participation in village kava ceremonies as the process of preparing it can be very unhygienic and lead to serious illness.
