Culture Shock in Fiji
Fiji's culture will likely be very different to that of most expat’s country of origin. The most significant elements of culture shock stem from the nation’s religion and politics.
Religious culture shock in Fiji
As is the case in nearly all Pacific Island nations, Fiji has a very religious culture, and churches of various denominations abound. A little over half of Fiji's population is Christian, with the Methodist church commanding the largest congregation, followed by the Catholic Church.
Christianity permeates the government to a degree that is not found in western countries.
Prayers will be said before meals, and the sound of local church choirs can be heard across Suva and Nadi on Sundays. Expats who do not hold strong religious beliefs need to be very careful not to offend local Fijians. It is better to keep your religious (or lack of religious views) private. Evangelical churches are common.
The majority of the Indo-Fijians are Hindu, and the celebrations of the Hindu religious calendar add a great sense of diversity to life in Suva. The festival of Diwali is particularly well celebrated across the country, and during this festive time houses are decorated with lights and fireworks are let off.
The general tolerance for religious freedom across the country has been limited somewhat in recent years by the interim government. The political powers that be are wary of the power of the churches, and are suspicious that a revolt may emerge from the ranks of the religious bodies. The leaders of the Methodist church, in particular, are closely monitored, and have been arrested on a number of occasions.
Religious groups planning to organise religious programs require a police permit if the program has a gathering of more than 10 people.
Political culture shock in Fiji
Recent Fijian history has been dominated by a number of military coups.
The first and second coups occurred in 1987 - both led by Lieutenant Colonel Siti Rabuka. The third coup occurred in May 2000. In this coup the Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, and most members of his cabinet were held hostage by George Speight and a group of military supporters.
The fourth and most recent coup occurred on 5 December 2006 when Commodore Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama, the then Commander of the Fiji Military, claimed executive authority, removing the government of Laisenia Qarase.
On 9 April 2009, Fiji’s Highest Court (the Court of Appeal) ruled that the Qarase Government had been illegally dismissed. In response to this decision, then President Iloilo abrogated the 1997 Constitution and dismissed the judiciary. President Iloilo reappointed Frank Bainimarama as Prime Minister. Fiji is now governed by decree, and military officers actively censor the newspapers. Gatherings of more than 10 people require a police permit.
Many countries considered the removal of the Qarase Government to have been unconstitutional and illegal. These countries have condemned the abrogation of the constitution. Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji was expelled in November 2009.
Australia and New Zealand have been particularly vocal in their attempts to have the country return to democracy, and a range of restrictions, including travel restrictions for the military and others connected to the government, have been put in place. These restrictions have been particularly unpopular with the interim government.
The interim prime minister has stated that elections will not be held before 2014, as the interim government requires sufficient time to implement various reforms, including the development of a new constitution.
While the political situation is difficult, life for many expats goes on much as normal. It is fascinating to live in a country where you can watch the political drama unfold.
Other Cultural differences
Clothing / Dress in Fiji
Because of the tropical heat, dress across Fiji is relatively informal. Formal business suits are rarely worn.
Many social functions promote the "bula dress”, which for men involves a brightly coloured, island-designed, open-necked,
short-sleeved shirt worn outside the trousers. A wide variety of colourful "bula" shirts is available in local shops. “Bula” long island dresses are also worn by expat women. It is not generally acceptable for women to wear very short shorts or skimpy clothing in public.
Clothing, including dresses, menswear, shirts, trousers, etc., can be tailored locally at prices much lower than those found in Australia or New Zealand.
Sandal-style shoes are worn everywhere. There are many clothing and footwear shops in Suva and Nadi; although, the quality varies greatly. Swimwear can be purchased at many resorts, but it is expensive.
Expat men coming to Fiji should bring good quality men's dress shorts and swimwear, underpants, singlets, socks and good quality men's leather sandals.
Despite the heat, a light cardigan or pullover may be useful in the cooler months.
Language in Fiji
Fiji’s official languages are Fijian, Hindi and English, and nearly all Fijians speak English. There are some unique aspects of the Fijian language that expats need to understand.
- The letter "d" is pronounced "nd" Therefore, Nadi is pronounced "Nandi"
- The letter "q" is pronounced "ng" Therefore, Beqa Island is pronounced "Benga Island" (an Island off Suva)
- The letter "c" is pronounced "th" Therefore, Vunacece Road is pronounced "Vunacethe Road"
Useful words on arrival:
- Bula - Hello
- Vinaka - Thanks
- Vinaka Vakelevu - Thank you very much
- Io – Yes pronounced ee-o
- Sega – No pronounced sang-a
Alliance Francaise in Ratu Sukuna Road, Nasese, Suva runs excellent Fijian language courses for expats.
Time in Fiji
Fiji, like most of the Pacific, operates on Pacific Time. This means that Fijians will regularly turn up late, both for meetings and social events, and will sometimes even be very late. This can be difficult for expats to understand.
Fiji is 12 hours ahead of GMT.
