|
HISTORICALLY
SPEAKING FIJI PATCH PROGRAM
2. English is one of the official languages of Fiji but also the Fijian language. Many languages are derived from the Fijian language including Samoan and Tahitian languages. Learn some words or count to five in the Fijian language. 3. The Meke, [may-keh], dance is a traditional dance performance that has theater, song and dance incorporated from legends and stories in Fiji. Some dances that are performed at the meke are the tralala, (trah-lah-lah), a two step shuffle, vakamalolo (vaj-KUH-mah-loh-loh), and a womens dance called the seasea (see-see). Watch a dance OR Meke performance OR listen to music OR sing a song OR learn more information about a dance from Fiji and try your own moves. There are also Fiji dances or Meke performances recorded on you tube to view. 4. Each group of people have brought their own cultural food to Fiji. Sometimes native Fijians use their hands to eat while sitting with their family on the floor mats. They also have an outdoor feat called a lovo, similar to a luau. The entire village works together to prepare the feast. They cook the food in an pit. A large variety of the food that all enjoy is seafood due to the country being located along a coast. Create a lovo of your own OR try a recipe, food, OR drink from Fiji. 5. Music, dancing, festive skirts, parades and food are a few activities that you may see in one of Fiji’s festivals. Learn about a festival or holiday in Fiji, go to a festival, participate in one, OR complete a craft that represents a festival. Examples include: Hibiscus Festival, Vula I Balolo, Diwali, Holi, Christmas, Queen’s Birthday, and Easter. 6. Legends, myths, and stories are passed down for many years through the generations. They explain the origin of fruits, animals, and plants. Most of the storytelling is when they sit down in a circle and have a storyteller recite the story from memory. Read a story, myth, legend, OR listen to a legend or story. 7. Fiji’s reef makes up about 4 percent of the world’s coral reef total area. It’s reef is home to thousands of marine animals and plants. Some examples include: clown fish, angel fish, anemone, sting ray, and green turtle. Learn more about an animal that resides in the reef OR create a craft about animal OR view photos of the reef and animals. 8. the Fiji center of arts was recently opened to assist in marketing all of the arts still created by hand. The pottery is created by coiling and paddling the clay. Woodcarving is sold as souvenirs as well. Items like masks, tikis, and small trinkets are primarily carved from hibiscus wood. They also create mats, masi or tapa, created from mulberry trees, clothing, jewelry, bowls, and handbags. Create a craft or project using a traditional a skill OR create jewelry OR clothing OR accessories OR observe someone creating a handicraft OR create a traditional craft from Fiji. 9. Traditional clothing in Fiji worn by men and women is the sulu (soo-loo), a wraparound skirt or sarong. The skirt is typically made out of cotton and have geometric patterns on the skirt. The men wear a bula or floral patterned shirt and women where cotton top that matches the color on the skirt. Grass skirts are worn during special events and dance performances. Draw a picture of the clothing, dress up in a Fiji themed costumes, create an accessory, complete our paper dolls OR view traditional clothing through books or the internet OR our country manual. 10. There are a variety of games that played in Fiji by children. Learn a traditional game OR play a game that symbolizes Fiji OR play a water game OR play a game in our manual.
|