Fiji Untouched - A Guide to the Traditional Fijian Way of Life

Waking up in the morning, sun painting the sky hues of orange and pink rising over the turquoise waters of the Pacific. The locals greet you with warm smiles and a friendly 'Bula'. Everywhere you look, people are strolling at a leisurely pace, enjoying unhurried conversations and living in the moment. This is Fiji time.  In the bustling, fast-paced world that we inhabit in the UK, there is something deeply alluring about the notion of Fiji time. This concept, a unique and cherished aspect of Fijian culture, is more than just a clock or a calendar. It's a way of life, a philosophy that invites you to slow down, savour the moment, and immerse yourself in the true essence of paradise.  Fiji time was the answer to many questions in Naocobau Village. When is the bus coming? Fiji time! Where is the bride? Fiji time! How long will we be out for? Fiji time! As someone who gets anxious at the idea of being late to anything, this took a bit of getting used to. Once I'd reminded m

Typical Meal Time in Fiji Mealtime was the one opportunity in a hectic day where the whole family could come together. My Na would spend hours preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner for our family of nine. Meals began with the ‘masou’ or prayer in which we would all take turns in saying. Masou was an opportunity to let your family know that you were grateful for them and the food in front of you. Whilst at the dinner table each person sat cross legged and ate with their hands with the huge plates of food in the middle of the table. Dinner at my home was when our Na gave us our lessons in all things Fijian and the sole reason as to why I know all of the animals, colours and days of the week in Fijian. It would be impossible to get through a meal without someone appearing at the front door with a plate of whatever they had prepared that day. Meaning I left every meal with a full stomach and another slice of village gossip. In a similar sense, you wouldn’t be able to walk a length of

In this blog, we embark on a culinary journey through Fiji, exploring the unique flavour dishes, and dining experiences that make this country so special. Food in Naocobau was one of the main aspects bridging the gap between us volunteers and the Fijians. It allowed us to bond with our Na’s over cooking classes, allowing us an exposed glimpse into the lives of the women in Fiji. The journey from farm to table was that of a long one, involving everyone in the community providing Fiji with a sense of pride which cannot be replicated in the UK. From Sea to Table Fiji’s fertile land and pristine waters provide an abundance of fresh, locally-sources ingredients. This country’s fertile soils hold an array of tropical fruits and vegetables, including cassava, taro, breadfruit and papaya. Seafood enthusiasts will revel in the rich catches of mahi-mahi, shark, and succulent lobster. From the sea to the land, every dish that I savoured in Naocobau was made with love and effort and sourced just

Grog ceremonies are a space for reflection, discussion and resolving conflicts. It is deep routed in Fijian culture and offers an authentic glimpse into the heart of this remarkable country.  A strict procedure is followed during a grog ceremony.  The preparation - The roots of the Kava plant are washed, dried and peeled before being pounded into a fine powder. This is traditionally done by the men in the village. The offering – Once prepped, grog is kneaded with water in a beautiful carved and polished wooden bowl called a Tanoa. The Tanoa is positioned in the centre of the ceremony. The seating arrangement – Those partaking in a grog ceremony, sit cross legged around the tanoa. Most of our grog ceremonies happened in people’s houses however during the wedding, every corner you turned in the village there was a small ceremony taking place. The most respected members of the village sit ‘above the bowl’, next to the chief. The seating arrangement represents status in the village,

  During my time in the village, I was first introduced to the century-old tradition of grog drinking. Also known as kava, grog is more than just a beverage; it’s a symbol of unity, socialising, and cultural heritage. For most Fijian people, its is deeply ingrained in their culture and daily life, this blog post will explore the rich history, preparation, and significance of grog in Fiji. Grog dates back over 2500 years, making it one of the oldest social beverages in the world. Whilst in Naocobau, I was fortunate enough to see the process of grog drinking from the moment it's planted to the moment it's consumed. Planting the Kava plant It’s safe to say that it would be impossible to walk through a Fijian village without encountering grog being left out to dry, pounded or drank. Consumed at weddings and birthdays or simply just as a means of socialising, grog brings the communities of Fiji together, strengthens relationships and welcomes visitors. Average grog session The

  I had the privilege of a life time being welcomed into the community of Naocobau. The village consists of less than 100 people however the love and sense of community in Naocobau is overwhelming. Situated in the province of Ra, the village overlooks the sea on both sides with tropical views for as far as the eye can see. Naocobau is genuinely an untouched pocket of sunshine that is not accessible for the average tourist.  Cyclone Winston was the largest tropical cyclone recorded in the Southern Hemisphere. When it hit Fiji the village of Naocobau was the only village deemed 'ground 0', meaning every single house was destroyed. After a year of hardships and living in tents, a South Korean company offered to rebuild all 36 houses in the village for free. The Fijians have renamed their village 'dream village' and describe this act of kindness as a miracle. The village until a couple of years ago was completely cut off from cars and was only accessible by foot. This was u

Bula! Welcome to Fiji Untouched, this blog recounts the incredible experiences, the profound connections forged with the locals, and the impactful projects that left a lasting mark on my perspective. Join me as I dive into the vibrant Fijian culture, share heart-warming stories, and reflect on the transformative power of volunteer work in a truly remarkable setting.  My Fijian journey began on the 20th of July when I made the 78-hour journey from Glasgow to volunteer in the most incredible village of Naocobau in the province of Ra, Fiji. Also known as dream village (will explain this in a later blog post), Naocobau is home to 84 impressive individuals who opened their homes to us for 6 weeks and allowed us to live alongside them, experiencing the incredible Fijian way of life and learning everything they had to teach us. For six weeks, I was immersed into Fijian culture with limited access to electricity, Wi-Fi and home comforts, staying with a family of seven in a village forty mi