Bili Bili
Festively adorned with colorful flowers, the Bili Bili is a bridal boat-Fiji’s version of a limousine.
“Warriors”
Native Fijians in traditional dress carry the bride and her wedding throne, or man the oars of the Bili Bili, and escort the bride to her groom.
Salusalu
Flower necklace made of Tapa cloth, leaves and bright colored flowers.
Meke
The combination of dance, song, and theater performed at feasts and on special occasions.
Lovo
An underground oven made by stacking and burning dry coconut husks in a pit. Once the fire is going well, stones are heaped on top. When most of the husks are burnt away, the food is wrapped in banana leaves and placed on the hot stones-fish and meat below, vegetables above.
Kava (Yanggone) Ceremony
Kava is a tranquilizing, non-alcoholic drink that numbs the tongue and lips. It comes from the waka (dried root) of the pepper plant. The ceremonial preparation is the most honored feature of the local life of Fijians. It is performed with utmost gravity according to a sacramental ritual to mark marriages, births, deaths, official visits, etc.
Traditional Fijian wedding attire
Garments made from Tapa cloth. Tapa is the bark from an indigenous, non-endangered Fijian tree pounded into a fine cloth and hand painted with traditional patterns of Fiji.