A week of celebration for Hamilton Fijian community
Fijians residing in Hamilton live a long way from their home country, but they continue to stay strong in their community, culture and traditions.
The Hamilton Fiji community is celebrating Fiji language week from 6-12 October. They will finish the week by commemorating the 54th Fiji Independence Day on Saturday 12th at K’aute Pasifika Trust Fale,
Ilaijia Tuwere, who has helped organise the celebrations, moved to New Zealand from Fiji in 2007 as a telecom technician. Married, with 5 children, he said these events are important, especially for their young ones who were born and raised in New Zealand “to know their culture and to never forget where they come from”.
Fiji language week had events running most days and Tuwere said is “all about our language and culture, taught throughout the week”.
It started with a combined church service on Sunday, then on Monday they had a traditional kava ceremony for the young boys, to learn the culture and how to present kava.
Called “sevusevu” in the Fijian language, a kava ceremony is a way the Fijians show respect, by welcoming newcomers into the villages or homes. It is an opportunity for people to connect, whether joining families or inviting someone into the community
Tuwere said, the Hamilton Fijian community is very strong, compared to other places in New Zealand.
He said, because most of their children were born here in New Zealand, the community set up a Fijian class every Monday, to teach their young ones the language, songs, customs and other traditions.
“This is to how they contribute as a strong community in Hamilton, to maintain their culture and language, to the younger generation”.
A Family Fun Day to celebrate Fiji Day will be held from 9am at the K’aute Pasifika Trust Fale, at 100 Seddon Road, Hamilton on Saturday October 12.
