Fijian Sevusevu Practice

Fijian sevusevu practice requires leaders of a procession determine beforehand the icavuti of the place being visited. Here you will learn the ritual of the presentation.

On these pages practices of Tailevu as is generally followed will be relayed. Do remember each of our provinces has their own peculiar way, so I invite fellow practitioners to post their renditions on the form below. Indeed practices within provinces can further vary by district so bearing this in mind feel free to write in stating the district or provincial custom being mentioned.

Let's create an online medium for our younger members across the globe to be able to delve into these practices that make us truly a unique iTaukei. Ni sa bula mai!

The Ritual

You've read the introductory explanation at Fiji-kava-ceremony so I won't repeat myself here. If you haven't click here for a sevusevu introduction.

The ritual would begin thus:

"E vakaturaga tiko 'i "na na Vanua 'o Viwa vua na Gone Turaga na Roko Tui Viwa". Au vakacabora tiko yani oqo e dua na yaqona na isevusevu ni vanua, na nodra isevusevu na Gone Turaga mai 'Natena' na 'Roko Tui Kiuva'.

It would end with this form:

"... e sa mai balavu na vosa ni sevusevu, au sa vakacabea me cabe tu yani vakaturaga vua na Gone Turaga i na Vanua vua na 'Turaga na Roko Tui Viwa' aaatu!"

The contents of the speech would be up to the individual offering the presentation, but the gist would be humble in prose and while uplifting the other party tend to belittle his delegation.

Example: "..this little insignificant cluster of roots as opposed to the huge stumps of waka, your lands are renown for."

Remember to fill in the offering content with the peculiar dimensions of your interactions. Vinaka.

At the end of the offering, the waka or kava is then taken by the receiver and while holding it offers the vanua's acceptance of the presentation:

"Au tara madaga na yaqona, na yaqona na isevusevu ni 'vanua vakaturaga mai Natena mai vua na 'Roko Tui Kiuva'. Na 'sevusevu' levu ka muria tiko mai na sala vakaturaga drau kilai tani kina..."

He would end it thus:

"..au laveta ki lomalagi, me solia mai na Kalou levu ko tamada, na kena draki, ki bulu vei ira na sau ni vanua. Meda veilomani tikoga, sauyawa tu na mate, ka tubu tu ga na lotu! Mana, ei dina, a.. muduo (claps/obo), muduo (claps/obo) fading...

Would you like to educate the rest of us with your peculiar district or provincial rites? Please detail it on the form below which creates your web-page - and I suggest you upload a photo or four to add dimension to your tutorial.

Or would you like to just offer a comment. Be my guest and just remember the aim of this article. BULA!