Fiji: Fijian Artifacts and Coconut Body Care Showcase

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Traditional Fijian artifacts provide glimpses of Fiji’s ancient culture and fascinating past.

Fans and baskets made from pandanus and coconut leaves, along with the fibre from coconut husks (sinnet) were some of the daily life necessities in the Fijian village.

Kava Ceremonial Wooden Bowl & Tabua [Photo 1]

The tanoa is a four-legged wooden bowl carved from a single piece of Vesi (hardwood) and used to prepare the ritual drink of kava (yaqona), which is made from the dried roots of a pepper tree. Tanoas have a triangular lug with a hole through which woven coconut fibre cord (magimagi) is attached, allowing the bowl to be hung up while not in use. For ceremonial purposes, the cord is decorated with white cowrie shells (buli leka) and is laid out along the ground toward the guest of honour.

A tabua is a polished tooth of a sperm whale that is an important cultural item in Fijian society. They were traditionally given as gifts for atonement or esteem (called sevusevu), and were important in negotiations between rival chiefs. A woven coconut fibre cord is attached from each end for presentation and to be hung up with while not in use.

Coconut Oil [Photo 2]

There are many coconut plantations in Fiji. Coconut oil was the preferred choice from the youngest of newborns to elders. It is common for coconut oil to replace creams, lotions, shampoo and conditioner, as it is has many uses to keep the skin protected, healthy and moisturized.

Uses of the coconut tree:

The Flesh: food, milk, and flour

The Water: a healthy and refreshing drink

The Oil: for cooking, skin, and hair

The Shells: to steam food and craft with

The Husks: a natural scrubber and craft material

The Husks: ropes

Tree Leaves: thatching

The Sticks: brooms.

Masi or Tapa [ Photo 3]

Bark cloth, or tapa, is not a woven material, but made from bark that has been softened through a process of soaking and beating. The inner bark is taken from several types of trees or shrubs, often mulberry and fig, and designs are applied with paints and vegetable dyes of light brown, red, and black.

Drua or Na Drua or Waqa Tabu (Sacred Canoe) [Photo 4]

This double hulled sailing boat was the largest and finest sea-going vessel ever designed by natives of Oceania before contact with Europeans. It is built from resi loa (a type of hardwood, called Intsia Bijuga in English).

Na Drua or Waqa Tabu meaning Sacred Canoe is a double hulled sailing boat originating in the South Western Pacific Islands. Druas were usually up to 30 metres and could carry more than 200 people. The Fijian double canoe were the largest and finest sea-going vessel ever designed and built by natives of Oceania before contact with Europeans.

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The City of Surrey's Special Events team organizes four major special events annually: Party for the Planet, Surrey Canada Day, Surrey Fusion Festival and the Surrey Tree Lighting Festival. Surrey Fusion Festival brings together over 80,000 people annually to celebrate food, music, and culture.