Where the heart is – Fiji Day 2020

On the waves of the ocean, I whispered,

In the tropical rain, I danced.

On the sandy beaches, the crabs I chased.

In the sweltering heat, I dreamed.                                                                                             – In Fiji: My poem

The Fiji Islands, commonly called just Fiji, are made up of more than 300 islands. Today is Fiji Day, a day that marks the anniversary of both the country’s cession to and its independence from the British. As a tribute to my homeland’s 50^th independence anniversary, some of my fellow Fijians share what Fiji means to us, to take you on a virtual journey of our island home.

What is Fiji to me? From the Guest Contributors (residents in Fiji and those now living elsewhere):

I am blessed to have two homes. But Fiji is my first home. A home that created beautiful and loving memories. Memories of my brother, my parents, us together as a small happy family; cream buns and all the yummy Fiji food…and of course friends. I know in my heart that no matter what, those small set of friendships founded in Fiji have now become lifelong friends

The beautiful sandy beaches, the blue crystal waters, the kindness, the taste of fresh coconut water, the Fijian food, the beautiful Bula smiles…Fiji is our home and it is where the heart is at peace

Fiji to me is my whole identity. It is my motherland and it has shaped who I am today. It’s only when I am back there that I know I am in my true element, that I am home

I love my beautiful island. No matter how far I travel, when I touch down on Fijian soil, the sight, the smells, the smiles, the songs, the humidity…it means I am home. When people ask me where I come from, proudly I quip ‘Fiji’…They go – are you really Fijian, your hair is straight, your complexion different, even your accent…”. I go – “Yes, loud and proud Fijian”. We have come so far in our 50 years and sometimes people still see us as Indian, I don’t know much about India, I have never been. But I can tell you so much about my beautiful island that I almost sound like a destination advertisement…anyone who is a coconut can relate to that…I am Fijian and I love Fiji

Fiji for me is motherland, no matter how far, this relationship does not change. I am and always will be a Fijian, no matter where I am

For me, Fiji is simply a nation vibrant with so many cultures…founded and grounded on God’s Word

Fiji is not just a home but a paradise that was built with blood, sweat and tears. It represents the sacrifice of our forefathers who paved the way to give us a better future. Fiji is not just a place; it is the reason for my existence. Even though I may be many miles away, I will always be a child to my motherland

When I think of Fiji, I feel warmth. Warmth of the sun, warmth of the sea, warmth of the people. A destination defined by tropical natural beauty. I was lucky to spend three months in Fiji…immersing myself in the culture with the welcoming locals…I long to go back and further explore Fiji and her incredible islands with sand the colour of a baby’s skin and sea the colour of the matching sky. Will I be able to leave this time?

And of course, the final word from this diasporic Fijian😉. While you are in the Fiji Islands, you feel something special. You find a unique blend of some 15 ethnicities and cultures – we are not just Kaiviti (indigenous Fijian), or Kaindia (Fijian Indian) or Kaivalagi (European), Kailoma (what we call the ‘part’ or ‘in between’) or Chinese or Rotuman or Gilbertese (and the list goes on and on)…but we are Fijian – the one integrated whole made from many. Our food, our language, our culture is a beautiful, vibrant mix that you cannot pin down to that one thing…except for Rugby Sevens and cream buns!

You will also find a unique mix of those who are happy with what may seem little in material wealth. You will find the vulnerable who are incredibly strong. You will experience the resilience of a people, who get up each time they are knocked down by whatever nature throws their way (devastating cyclones, floods, effects of global warming), dressed in our Sunday best with a song in our hearts. You will find the poor who are rich in heart. Fiji is more than just a few dots in the Pacific Ocean, more than the Bulas and heart-warming smiles, more than the coconuts, beaches, and palm trees. To me, Fiji is every Fijian’s way of life.

Despite our hardships we smile and sing,

Despite our global smallness, we are big at heart,

Despite everything that comes our way, we remain resilient.

Despite the world falling apart around us, we see everything the world could be.

The country lives in every Fijian out there. Vinaka Viti.

Vinaka Vakalevu and Loloma to all guest contributors – you know who you are.