By: Sr. Francisca Talibutab, DC

We Daughters of Charity first came to Fiji in 1979 upon the request of the Archbishop of Fiji through the initiative of our brother Congregation, the Vicentian Fathers to help them in their mission work.

257 Pinoys
Fiji, as you know is a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious British Crown Colony in the Pacific, lying to the East if Australia and North of New Zealand with a population of just over half million people. About half of the total population of Fiji came from India bringing with them their very own cultural and religious valued and background. Most of them are Hindus, Muslim and Sikhs. A number of Europeans, Chinese and other Pacific Islanders also live there. During the recent gathering of Filipinos to commemorate the Philippines Independence Day last June 11; Fiji’s President and former Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamiese Mara told us in his speech that there are 247 Filipinos  now residing and working in Fiji, mostly medical personnel and factory workers.

Philippines Connection
We are eight Daughter of Charity missionaries working here at present. We have adjust to a new way of life.... to Fijian culture, language, time, food, educational system. It’s interesting to know that we have similarities in some aspects. In language for example, there are Tagalog words with exactly the same spelling and meaning in the Fijian language. e.g. “mata” for eyes, “lima” for “five” “ulo” for head and “walo” for eight. Some of their customs are similar to the Filipinos such as “Utang na loob”, Pakikisama” and “close family ties.”

Yanggona Ceremonies
Yes, there’s much to know and learn from them. You might have heard that years ago Fijians were cannibals. They practiced human sacrifice but most have now become Christians. Others still observe some local customs like fire walking. Ceremonial kaka drinking is one of the Fijians most honored customs. Kaya or “yanggona” in Fijian is a strong but non-intoxicating drink made from the root of the pepper plant. They do this ceremony wearing traditional costumes and performing ancient dances on special occasions like weddings, ordinations, welcome and goodbye ceremonies for important persons or guests and at a time of Reconciliation for example.

Deeply Grateful
I thank Almighty God and the Daughters of Charity Philippine Province for sending me to Fiji. I am learning each day to appreciate and love God and others better especially the poor of Fiji. I pray that there will be more local people to continue God’s work in this small and beautiful part of the world.