This is a special Fijian traditional ceremony designated for the presentation of kava reserved usually for royalty, or paramount chiefs and in our time to leaders or dignitaries from other countries. It refered to as "Meke Taki ni Yaqona Vaka Turaga" which basically translates to the chiefly presentation of the yaqona (kava). I want to say that there may be some variation in the way the presenters present the Yaqona here in Lau, but the protocal is strickly the same. This is some thing very special to Fiji and I am glad to still see our traditions maintained. By the way, kava came to us by way of the our kindred folks from Vanuatu, where they drink their yaqona really strong. Fiji then took the yaqona to Tonga. Tongans also have there ceremony ( I remember seeing it in Nukualofa before their king) in 1973, and it's different. I remember seeing a large kava plant being dragged and presented by someone (of rank) who was calling out the presentation before the king and nobility. It was very different from the way its done here. But, regardless the Tongans do have theirs as well.
Pulotu (Burotu in fijian) is well known as the ancestral homeland for Tongans and Samoans, the old generation acknowledge that fiji is the ancestral homeland but the new gen is in a huge state of denail about it so they're trying to change history and cut fiji out of the picture, you even see some of them in the comment sections saying they can't be from fiji because we too black, it's actually fascinating seeing racism towards fiji from Tongans and Samoans, Samoans have a word for that "meauli" they tease people with darker skin
@@kumulsfan8090Ngl i thought racism towards black peoples from samoans only really existed towards us black peoples of African origins, i didn’t know Polynesians viewed Melanesians as inferior or in a negative light cuz of their skin colour, i thought y’all considered each other as pacific brothers.
Bula Kevin ceremonies on this scale and magnitude will only ever be accorded to Fijian royalty and visiting dignitaries. These ceremonies are scared and therefore safe guarded and protected. There is much taboo, customs and protocol that is strictly adhered to when conducting such ceremonies for our high chiefs or visiting dignitaries or heads of state. Most hotels do have village excursions where by you may experience an informal ceremony of welcome with yaqona (kava)....but again it will be informal and not on this magnitude. But still very awesome to experience as a first time visit to a Fijian village none the less. 🌺
@@temanaperformingarts9848 thank You very much for your response. Who is the individual that was served yaqona (kava). It appears he was given the highest respect! There were two individuals serving kava and only one of them served the kava and one stayed behind! Much appreciated for your quick response. Edit: I just reviewed the video again and saw the second individual serving to one of his companion.
@kevinJohnson that is the late President of the republic of Fiji...Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara....he was the first prime minister after independence and one of Fiji's grestest statesman. He was also the Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands and that is his people according him the highest honours through the ceremony.
@@KevinJohnson-er9xt Its called na i rabe. After a chief guest or chief drink, a person of a lesser rank often his herald or even a relative will drink the second bowl.
This is a special Fijian traditional ceremony designated for the presentation of kava reserved usually for royalty, or paramount chiefs and in our time to leaders or dignitaries from other countries. It refered to as "Meke Taki ni Yaqona Vaka Turaga" which basically translates to the chiefly presentation of the yaqona (kava). I want to say that there may be some variation in the way the presenters present the Yaqona here in Lau, but the protocal is strickly the same. This is some thing very special to Fiji and I am glad to still see our traditions maintained. By the way, kava came to us by way of the our kindred folks from Vanuatu, where they drink their yaqona really strong. Fiji then took the yaqona to Tonga. Tongans also have there ceremony ( I remember seeing it in Nukualofa before their king) in 1973, and it's different. I remember seeing a large kava plant being dragged and presented by someone (of rank) who was calling out the presentation before the king and nobility. It was very different from the way its done here. But, regardless the Tongans do have theirs as well.
Tonga is Polynesia Lapita Origin Settlement from South East Asia Indonesia through Melanesian 😊
Is the Kava from Fisi or South East Asia 😊
@@jmjm1920 It was introduced to Fiji from Vanuatu ... during ancient times ...
The early intermarriage of Fisi and Tonga Lau Group from Lapita times ❤🙏
Not lapita times@@jmjm1920
Magnifique le Kava Royal
Guys in the comments saying that it's a Tongan culture 💀 I've never seen Tongan present yaqona like this 🙄💀
Fisi and Tonga Lapita origin 😊
Pulotu (Burotu in fijian) is well known as the ancestral homeland for Tongans and Samoans, the old generation acknowledge that fiji is the ancestral homeland but the new gen is in a huge state of denail about it so they're trying to change history and cut fiji out of the picture, you even see some of them in the comment sections saying they can't be from fiji because we too black, it's actually fascinating seeing racism towards fiji from Tongans and Samoans, Samoans have a word for that "meauli" they tease people with darker skin
@@kumulsfan8090Ngl i thought racism towards black peoples from samoans only really existed towards us black peoples of African origins, i didn’t know Polynesians viewed Melanesians as inferior or in a negative light cuz of their skin colour, i thought y’all considered each other as pacific brothers.
Malie Malie Lau Group 🇹🇴🇫🇯
What year was this? Is this tradition only accorded to the Tui Lau or is it also accorded to other people with the same status as the Tui Lau?
Not Tui Lau. But the Tui Nayau
it's accorded to all paramount chief of Fiji.
Tongan culture❤❤🇹🇴🇹🇻
Tongans don’t even do it this way
Aint nothing Tongan about this
@JONE BALEIRARA Fiji didnt get Kava from Tonga.
@jordan...by the way, that's the Tuvaluan flag.. lol
The people of Lau are literally descendants of Tonga what are all of you talking about?? It is a Tongan and Fijian culture 🤦🏽♂️
Can someone traveling from USA (average joe) get a ceremony like this and what is the cost and where does he start?
Bula Kevin ceremonies on this scale and magnitude will only ever be accorded to Fijian royalty and visiting dignitaries. These ceremonies are scared and therefore safe guarded and protected. There is much taboo, customs and protocol that is strictly adhered to when conducting such ceremonies for our high chiefs or visiting dignitaries or heads of state. Most hotels do have village excursions where by you may experience an informal ceremony of welcome with yaqona (kava)....but again it will be informal and not on this magnitude. But still very awesome to experience as a first time visit to a Fijian village none the less. 🌺
@@temanaperformingarts9848 thank You very much for your response. Who is the individual that was served yaqona (kava). It appears he was given the highest respect!
There were two individuals serving kava and only one of them served the kava and one stayed behind!
Much appreciated for your quick response.
Edit: I just reviewed the video again and saw the second individual serving to one of his companion.
@kevinJohnson that is the late President of the republic of Fiji...Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara....he was the first prime minister after independence and one of Fiji's grestest statesman. He was also the Paramount Chief of the Lau Islands and that is his people according him the highest honours through the ceremony.
@@temanaperformingarts9848 ty
@@KevinJohnson-er9xt Its called na i rabe. After a chief guest or chief drink, a person of a lesser rank often his herald or even a relative will drink the second bowl.
Some Fisi look like Tonga 🙏
It’s lau Tonga came to Fiji
some Tonga look like Fisi
Yes im from lakeba and we have tongan descendents 🙌💪 i always get confused that im tongan 😂 love it ❤️
@@doughuapluskpop2697 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Tongans come from Fiji