Indigenous Fijians mix traditional and Christian customs in their ceremonies for the dead. It's a solemn occasion. When my m'Bubu (Grandmother) passed away last year, her body was washed and prepared by her surviving children. My mother and aunties dressed her in normal clothes. Masi (bark cloth) was placed inside and on top of the coffin. Then they brought the body home. During the night relatives sung hymns. Many women cried out loudly, while some touched and spoke to my m'Bubu. As a sign of respect, people performed the traditional yaqona (kava) ceremony and exchanged items of cultural value like mats, masi and tabua (whale's tooth). Meanwhile, other relatives helped to prepare food for the lovo (earth oven) and flowers for the next day. In the morning my m'Bubu was taken to the church for a service before she was buried in a local cemetery.
Valerie Bichard, 37. Documentary Filmmaker, Sydney.
Copyright © Australian Museum,
2008
