I'm taking Fidzan: The groom must give his future father-in-law a whale tooth in order to marry his bride

Many religious traditions are practiced at Fijian weddings. The happy couple sits on the floor during the wedding ceremony. Besides, the wedding also takes place either at the groom's house or in a house loaned for the ceremony.

Mehndi party

Those from the Indo-Fijian culture may opt for Mehndi parties. This practice originates from India and the Middle East and remains a crucial part of the wedding process. The night before the wedding ceremony, the bridesmaids get together to create intricate henna patterns on their hands and feet. The darker the henna color, the more auspicious the marriage is considered.

Tevutevu Ceremony

This ritual, often held one or two nights before the wedding day, is an ancient Fijian wedding tradition which translates to "spreading mats (carpets)".

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Traditionally, each family member places one mat on top of the other, symbolizing the place where the newlyweds will sleep. Tevutevu also symbolizes the mother who made her child's bed for the last time before the wedding and transfers the responsibility to the future spouses to make their own symbolic beds.

These days, newlyweds are given bed linen, including pillows, blankets, and mosquito nets. Tevutevu is a beautiful tradition full of meaning and emotion.

Vale Levu: Traditional wedding venue in Fiji

Vale Levu, which means "big house" in Fijian, is a traditional wedding venue in Fiji. It usually is a large, open building decorated with bright decorations and flowers. Vale Levu provides a beautiful setting for the couple's meeting and its open space allows for a natural blessing to become part of the ceremony.

Sulu Jaba: Traditional Clothing

The bride may wear traditional tapa clothing (made from tree bark) or modern dresses with Fijian elements.

Tapa is the bark of the original Fijian tree, crushed into a fine layer and hand-painted with traditional Fijian patterns.

The groom usually wears a sulu, which looks like a skirt and is decorated with shells or wreaths of flowers. This garment not only reflects the groom's cultural heritage, but also adds a touch of elegance and grandeur to the wedding.

BiliBili

The traditional arrival of the bride, known as "BiliBili", is an exciting and entertaining way to enter the wedding ceremony in Fiji. Native Fijians in traditional clothes carry the bride on a beautifully decorated throne full of flowers. If she wants to make a grand impression, she can arrive on a traditional Fijian canoe. This unique and picturesque arrival adds a touch of magic to the wedding and showcases the stunning beauty of the Fijian coastline. For many brides, the tradition of warriors or "Bili Bili" is a fun and festive way to enter the ceremony.

Firewalking Ceremony

This ritual originates from the Fijian island of Beqa and is considered an ancient ceremony, based on the legend that God gave the Sawau tribe the ability to walk on fire.

Today, the ceremony is performed during weddings and on special occasions to entertain guests

The walkers go in a line over a pit with heated stones and come out the other side with undamaged legs. Traditionally, walkers must adhere to two strict rules for two weeks before the fire.

They are not allowed to contact women or eat coconuts. Failure to comply with these rules may result in serious burns for pedestrians.

Yagona Ceremony: Extension of Hospitality and Respect

One of the most significant Fijian wedding traditions is the "yaqona" ceremony, also known as the kava ceremony.

Yaqona is a traditional Fijian drink made from the root of the kava plant. It is a mildly intoxicating, calming beverage made from crushed yaqona root (pronounced yang-GO-na) strained with water. It is served in a large communal bowl as part of a traditional kava ceremony. Drinking induces a pleasant, numbing sensation around the mouth, lips, and tongue and a feeling of calm and relaxation. It is made from waka (dried root) of pepper. The ceremonial preparation is the most revered feature of Fijian local life. It is carried out with the utmost seriousness according to a sacramental ritual to mark marriages, births, deaths, official visits, etc.

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It is usually prepared and presented as a sign of respect and goodwill towards married couples and their families. It is consumed from a common coconut shell and clapping is required before or after drinking. It's a great way for newlyweds to welcome guests to their wedding, or it can be served at the reception, but beware, it might be spicy.

The Tovolea Ceremony: Seeking Blessings from Elders

During the Tovolea ceremony, the bride and groom seek blessings from the elderly members of their families. The elderly lay their hands on the heads of the spouses and pray for a harmonious and prosperous marriage. This deep tradition underscores the importance of family and the wisdom that is passed down from generation to generation.

Bilo Ceremony: Exchange of yaqona

The bilo ceremony is an important part of a wedding in Fiji

The couple exchanges a bilo (a polished coconut shell) filled with yaqona as a symbol of their commitment and unity. Sharing this traditional drink symbolizes a willingness to mutually support and nourish each other throughout their marital life.

Tabua Exchange: A Symbol of Trust and Love

In Fijian weddings, the presentation of a tabua (whale tooth) has a huge cultural significance. The tabua is a symbol of goodwill, and is often given to the bride's family as a gesture of recognition.

The larger the number of teeth presented, the bigger the gift. Nowadays, when there are fewer whales and laws limit international trade in endangered species, whale teeth are becoming more expensive. A single tooth in the form of a necklace can cost hundreds or thousands of pounds.

Whale teeth are highly valued in Fijian culture. They are also used as gifts for other important occasions such as birth, death, and apologies.

Meke: Celebration of Music and Dance

No Fijian wedding is complete without a lively and energetic performance of meke, a traditional dance accompanied by melodic music. Meke is divided into a war dance (Meke Wesi), performed by men with spears and clubs, and a softer female dance (Meke Iri) with graceful movements and fans. The dancers wear traditional Fijian costumes made of dried leaves, shells, and decorative fabrics. Traditional Fijian instruments, such as drums (lali), shells, and bamboo clappers are used. Meke represents the unique cultural heritage of Fiji, with graceful movements and brisk rhythms that charm both the couple and the guests. It's a joyful expression of love, celebration, and community.

Exchange of Necklaces

In Fiji, a popular wedding tradition is the exchange of necklaces, often made of live and aromatic flowers. These necklaces are known as "salusalu" and symbolize love, respect, and unity. They are made from Tapa cloth, petals, and colorful flowers. The bride and groom exchange these necklaces as a symbol of mutual commitment, creating a beautiful and heartfelt moment during the ceremony.

Food and Feast

Food plays a key role at Fijian weddings, where an opulent feast is prepared for the occasion. Traditional Fijian dishes, such as kokoda (pickled fish in coconut cream) or palusami (taro leaves cooked in coconut cream), will delight the taste buds of guests and provide a true culinary experience. After the wedding, food prepared in the ground under hot stones (known as lovo) is served.

Lovo is an underground oven made by stacking and burning dry coconut husks in a pit. Once the fire heats up, stones are piled on top. When most of the husks burn, food is wrapped in banana leaves and placed on the hot stones - first the fish and meat, with vegetables on top.

Veiyabaki: Dance of Money

During this dance, guests pin money on the wedding clothes of the bride or groom as a gift to support the newlyweds in their joint life. Veiyabaki represents the collective support of the community and wishes the couple prosperity in the future.

Matanigasau: Farewell Ceremony

After the end of the wedding celebrations, the matanigasau ceremony follows. It is a farewell ritual in which the newlyweds express gratitude to their families for their love and support. Matanigasau symbolizes the transition of the couple into a new stage of life, which is accompanied by independence and the establishment of their own family.

Suitable attire

When visiting Fiji, it's important to keep in mind the local customs and traditions, especially when it comes to suitable attire. Even though Fiji is generally a calm and pleasant destination where you can dress comfortably, there are certain situations where it's crucial to show respect through clothing.

When entering villages, churches, or other places that hold sacred or cultural significance for Fijians, it is best to dress modestly.

This implies covering shoulders and knees and avoiding revealing clothing, such as short shorts, deep neck tops or bikinis. Choosing loose, light clothing that provides ample coverage is a sign of respect for local customs.

Family relationships

In Fiji, there is a great complexity of social interactions among families and nearby tribes, among siblings, cousins, uncles and so on. The Fijian term "family" does not correspond to the Western perception of a normative family. Members of the extended family assume roles and titles of direct guardians. The iTaukei (native Fijians) culture is not based on biological origin, but on a child's connection to a spiritual ancestor. This has proved to be an obstacle in applying Western culture to the Fijian environment, such as the use of a predominantly Western criminal justice system.

So, what kind of wedding would be closest to your idea – completely traditional, or rather a combination with contemporary elements?

Source: original text, weddedwonderland.com, farandawayadventures.com, fijidream.co.jp, tropicalfiji.com, royaldavuifiji.com