The Fijian Post

Last Thursday I took off to Suva for a High School Concert and the Agriculture Fair. My Out of Community Leave was perfect! The concert was so much more than I expected. Two of my really good friends, Filo and Ana, were in different items throughout the concert. Filo was up on the stage as a teacher and as a traditional Polynesian dancer whereas Ana was dressed up in a fancy, red dress doing a “grow up to be a lady” number. I ended up finding myself enjoying a multicultural show. The students performed traditional dances from the Lau Group, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Polynesia, Korea, and India. It was absolutely amazing. Plus they through in some modern rap, pop, and country dance moves. The choir sang several uplifting beats with several beautifully sung solos. Really, I can’t say enough about how well St. Joseph’s High School did at their annual concert!


Filo and Ana before the concert.

The next day I spent running errands in Suva, walking around the Agriculture Show: “Grow Local, Buy Local”, and helping NCSMED with their honey and beekeeping stall.


Our Beekeeping display at the Agriculture Show.

While at the show I was able to get vital information from Fiji Locally Managed Marine Areas (FLMMA), SPCA, IHRDP (National Planning/Fiji Government), Fiji Nursing Association, Coconut Industry Development Authority (CIDA), Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Bird Life International, Ministry of Health, information on climate change, planting giant clams, goat rearing, chicken raising, marine protected areas, and I actually found a much needed poster of the food pyramid here in Fiji. They only have three categories instead of six like in America. I will be teaching the topic of nutrition to the kindergarteners and their parents on Wednesday! I also scoured the show for posters, bringing home about 35 new ones. I bet the villagers are getting tired of my decorating the community hall with random information.

Anyhow, I am not sure if I have mentioned this before now, but I am going to start a “Fijian Documentary” on my blog. So far it doesn’t have a name, someday I will think of one. I will be starting it as soon as I get my new camera, but for this week I can do a short example on what the new idea will involve.

The Salusalu Boogie

A salusalu is the equivalent of a Hawaiian Lei, but Fijians do it quite differently. First they scour the land for a Crinuni asiaticum (viavia) tree. The trunk of this tree grows in shiny, white, fibrous layers.


The viavia.

The women bring their large bush knife with them to chop the tree down at the bottom of the trunk. They cut the top end off so that only the mid section of the trunk remains. Next, they cut the trunk lengthwise and unravel the layers until they are left with a shiny, white piece about 3 inches by 6 inches.


Tying the viavia into the voivoi to make a salusalu.

Step two involves the women hunting down different leavesand flowers including hibiscus, Phaleria sp. (sinu), and Evodia hprtensis (uci). A twine of voivoi (dried pandanas leaf – explained in a later documentary) is then braided, interspersing a piece of folded viavia into the braid. After the length of salusalu is finished, the flowers are tied together and placed securely in front of the folded viavia. Finally, the salusalu is given time to dry and the next day will be tied around a highly respectable guest or member of the village. Salusalu is a symbol of importance and often used at times of celebration.


The beautiful arrangement of flowers the women place in front of the viavia.


Putting all the pieces together.

Early Childhood Education Week


My kingergarten in front of the banner I made for Early Childhood Education Week.


Tying the salusalu onto our Chief.


Torika placing the salusalu she made onto her Bubu.

The week of July 26th through 30th is devoted to Early Childhood Education throughout Fiji. Of course, that means I am a busy bee running around in preparation for our activities in the kindergarten.


So sweet.


The children playing with their toys sent from First Christian Church in Gainesville, Texas.

Today, Monday, we had our kindergarten’s opening day. The Chief of the village accepted the kindergarten as a part of the community and thanked the teacher and I for all of our hard work. The children performed a few songs, made their own salusalu to give to an elder, and we had a huge community tea. Guest speakers included the kindergarten committee’s chairman, Sisi (the teacher), and the Father of the Catholic Church. Later in the day I spent 4 hours hand washing my clothes from this past weekend, then took a nice, relaxed break from Fijian life by hiding in my bure.


My little brother singing into his Bible.


The children waiting to pray so that they can eat lunch.


Lots of Bubus.


The men drinking that nasty muddy water... kava (yaqona).


Junior playing the lali (drum made of bamboo or vesi wood).


Lol. Look at Pau, she is meditating with frangipani leaves.


Sisi teaching the kids.


Three of my Bubus.


Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

Kindergarten went well again today! We had two guest speakers: the headmaster from each of the two closest primary schools. They both spoke on behalf of the importance of early childhood education, they saw the kids’ folders, and enjoyed a nice feast with us. Everything went well and the week is off to a good start.


How sweet, father and son.


Coloring


Reading, they LOVE the books.

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010


Bubu Moli and I on Wednesday.


Bubu Moli and I back in August

Today was my day. Lol, well, it was my turn to be the vulagi dokai (Guest Speaker). I spoke on the importance of nutrition, the food pyramid, as well as interacted with the kids on what is a fruit and what is a vegetable. Following my talk, Bubu Moli spoke on the interactions of food within the body and reinstated what I said, but in Fijian. Thank you Bubu Moli for your gracious help!


Bubu Moli teaching about the passage of food through the digestive system.


Aren't they cute!


Unaisi, isn't she beautiful.

Anyhow, everything went well, the kids were well behaved today, and everything is ready for visiting a local Primary School on Friday. I think they are calling this event “Fun Day” in which every kindergarten in the surrounding area, plus the parents, are coming together to celebrate. Tomorrow is town, yay!


My papa, Ulamila. She is growing so fast!