Before we head out to Hawaii, I'm putting together a few of country blogs we'll be visiting at the Polynesain Cultural Center. I won't post them until they can all be put together, but at least I'll be halfway done.
The first country up on our tour is Fiji. It's a stereotypical South Pacific country where you can spend your days soaking in the tropical atmosphere. Visitors swim through caves, snorkel with manta rays, surf the world class waves, and island hop to bask on the many beaches.
It's one of the most well known countries of Melanesia, and is very popular with vacationers. Visitors are intoxicated with the friendly people, delicious fresh fruit, brave fire walkers, and exciting wildlife (including the rare Fijian monkey faced bats). While there are two large islands, Fiji is spread over 332 islands, offering something for everyone.
While 64% of the country identifies as Christian, the second most practiced religion is Hindu (at around 28%). The Sri Subramaniya Swami Temple in Nadi is the largest Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere and our landmark. The bright temple is one of the few places outside of India where you can see traditional Dravidian architecture. The wooden carving of deities were brought from India, and to keep with authenticity, the artists who painted the temple in bright colors and designed the impressive ceiling frescoes, were also from India.
Fiji has an interesting history.
First, if you visit, you can often catch a traditional 'meke' performance. It's a dance that has been performed across generations, and tells the story of the Fijian culture, history, and legends.
Most Marine Biologists believe all life started in the Western Pacific in the waters off Fiji. Today it is home to one of the most vibrant reefs in the world, the appropriately named Rainbow Reef.
Like many countries in the Western Pacific, Fiji has a history with cannibalism.
In 1867, an English Missionary touched the chief's head (a big no-no and an act of war), and he was boiled and eaten. Apparently one shoe survived the ordeal and can be found on display at the Fiji museum!
The first king of Fiji was a warlord feared by many. It was common knowledge that he would boil and eat his enemies after defeating them in battle.
But for the boys postcards, they all found the most fascinating thing about Fiji to be its placement on the 180th Meridian, or the International Date Line. Dividing the world into the two hemispheres, the line passes right through the island of Taveuni. There is even a spot on the island where you can jump back and forth between days.
Calib also noted the surfing at Cloud Break.
Peyton did as well, but in his you can see that this wave is caused by a coral reef. As a result, Fiji regulates how many people can go out on it a day.
Hayden, meanwhile, focused on the colorful Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple.
Before we left, we added Fiji to the table. It's down there in purple, south of Vanuatu.
Ok. So, this blog has been sitting in 'draft' mode for almost a month. And honestly, I didn't even re-read the first part, because I have lots of catching up to do, so forgive me if I'm a bit repetitive. We did the country part before we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center.
The Polynesian Cultural Center is a bit like Epcot's world showcase for Polynesian Countries. There were three in particular we were focused on: Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. At the end of our day at the Polynesian Cultural Center, we had a luau dinner, that I just counted for all three countries. Is that cheating a bit? Perhaps, but it's my project, so I can cut a few corners here and there if I want to, right?
Anyway, we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center way back on June 30th, when we were on our second day in Hawaii. (Just click on the link if you want to read about that day.)
To keep all the various countries at the Polynesian Cultural Center straight, I took a picture before we went into each of the little pavilions (I'm not sure that is what they are called there, but it works for EPCOT, so I'm using it.)
The blurb for Fiji on the Polynesian Cultural Center's website says:
"Ever heard of a lali (translated: log drum)? You will. And you’ll discover its cultural significance at the same time. You can even give it a try, unless you’re too busy checking out the wide array of devastating clubs and weapons native to the Fijiian culture. Beware, you’ll discover some mean-looking military hardware. After all, the Fijiians took war very seriously.
Natives will help you understand what the cowry shells on a structure’s roof really mean, and who can enter such a building. Here’s a clue – you better be the village chief. Explore the six-story high Fijiian temple – just make sure you enter through the correct door. (Otherwise, according to tradition, you risk death.)"
Hayden was not pleased at the 'take your hat off' rule to enter the building where the village chief would live. There we were greeted by a guy who was actually being groomed to be the next village chief back home in Fiji. He told us all about his dad, and his grandfather and how he would be next in line (although he did say he would like to stay in Hawaii).
We also saw the Fijian Temple, Bure Kalou , or the spirit house. Always elevated on a pyramid type structure, there is one of these and a meeting house in every village.
Our next stop in Fiji was that meeting house, where we got to hear from a guy from Fiji tell us a little bit about his home. Apparently, they play most musical instruments there from their nose, because that is the 'purest of air' (as opposed to coming from your mouth).
But, the musical instrument we got to play was the lali, or log drum. He led us in a couple of different 'songs' of sorts. Basically it's like a percussion instrument, as the translation of 'log drum' would suggest, where you mimic his cadence. These drums traditionally were used for communication- to announce a birth, or death, or even wars. But, today they're used more in church services and even as entertainment in Fijian hotels and such.
I guess sometimes you play these with another smaller stick you hit it up against, but we just played them by hitting them on the floor. There is a hallow end, and a closed end. The closed end is what you knock against the floor.
Fiji is also where Hayden, Calib, and Asa got their polynesian tattoos. Each one had their own meaning and they could pick based on that. But honestly, it's been so long now, I don't remember what each of theirs meant. (I knew I should have written this blog sooner).
Every afternoon there is also a canoe pageant, where each of the six polynesian countries/places has their own canoe with traditional dancers. I really liked the continuity of the traditional attire in the pavilions, during the canoe pageant and at dinner. Even when we saw the 'Ha, Breath of Life' show after dinner, I could pick out who was from where.
I really could have spent multiple days here, because certain activities only happen at certain times, and it's hard, if not impossible to make it to them all.
I think I'll just go ahead and post the luau food once I get to Tonga. Basic staples of Fijian cuisine include sweet potatoes, taro, rice, pineapples and bananas, all of which could be found at the luau. They also use underground ovens, which is where the pig was cooked. So, it all totally counts.
I may, however, eventually make this Fijian Honey Cake when we finish up our Polynesian countries just to have made something specifically from Fiji, but we'll see.
The numbers here are also a little out of order, because we did some of the 'vacation' countries while Asa was in the office.
Next Up: Samoa at the Polynesian Cultural Center
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