FIji's+Culture

=Fiji's Culture =  Fijian culture is a blend of Melanesian and Polynesian backgrounds, although Fiji is also influenced by other vibrant cultures, including Chinese, Indian, European and other South Pacific cultures, particularly Rotuman and Tongan. Indigenous Fijian culture is made up of a great variety of traditional language, art, music, food, clothing and folklore. This culture also gives high importance to the family unit. Family values in Fiji Traditional Fijian culture highly regards the family unit, the village and the land (or vanua). Villages, tribes and clans are led by a chief. The position of chief is inherited; when a chief dies, a male family member takes his place, though it does not necessarily have to be his son. The largest social unit in Fiji is known as a yavusa, from which the members are thought of as the direct descendents. Each brother in a family then forms his own branch of yavusa, which is called the mataqali. The mataqali consists of different levels, which are based upon the duty performed by the member: