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In this episode, we'll be learning about two important cultural practices in Fiji - Lovo and Kava. Lovo is a traditional Fijian method of cooking food underground, using hot stones and banana leaves to steam and smoke the food. We'll explore the history and significance of Lovo in Fijian culture, and learn about some of the traditional dishes that are cooked using this method.
We'll also discover the drink of welcome in Fiji - Kava. Kava is a drink made from the root of a plant and has a slightly bitter taste. It's traditionally served in a coconut shell and is used for ceremonial purposes, such as welcoming guests or celebrating special occasions. We'll delve into the history and cultural significance of Kava, and learn about the etiquette and traditions associated with drinking it.
Through this episode, we'll get a taste of Fijian culture and traditions and appreciate the importance of these practices in Fijian society. So join us on this exciting journey as we explore Fijian Lovo and Kava!
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Mom: Hey Culture Kids! Welcome to our third episode. Thank you for joining us today and for being a part of our Culture Kids community! Do you have something you’d like to learn about with us? If so, please leave us a review and share with us! We’d love to get to know you.
For today’s episode, we’re going across the oceans to a beautiful cluster of islands that I had the joy of visiting several times. There are white sandy beaches, coconut trees, and you can surf or swim with turtles, dolphins and lots of very colorful tropical fish. Asher, can you tell us what country mommy is describing?
Asher: Fiji Islands!
Mom: That’s right. Fiji belongs to what we call the Polynesian Islands. Fiji is not just one island, but a cluster of over 300 islands- but the biggest island and the most well known island is called Vitu Levu and Vanua Levu. Mommy had the pleasure of staying in Fiji for an extended period of time to teach, and I loved getting to know the beautiful people and learning about the culture.
Asher: I was not born then.
Mom: I’m sorry no you were not. But we spent a lot of time in nature, learning how to surf, swim with lots of fish, and my most memorable part was getting to know the different communities and the locals that made me feel like a part of their family. Fijians are known to be some of the happiest people in the world, and I will never forget the kindness and love they showed me during my time there.
Asher: Many Fiji people live in villages with chiefs and everybody in Fiji is a part of a village.
Mom: That’s correct. Even though many Fijians will live away from their villages and move to urban areas, every Fijian is a part of a village, and each village has a chief.
Asher: If you are visiting, you have to have permission from the chief to enter the village.
Mom: Yes you do. I loved spending a lot of my time getting to know the cultural traditions in a village I frequented, called Vunaniu. Now this leads me to introduce our Culture Kids Word of the Week, which is….LOVO!
Asher: What is a lovo?
Mom: Lovo is a method of cooking large amounts of food, under the ground! It’s a great way to bring the Fijian families together and have a feast.
Asher: Is it like when we have a BBQ with our friends?
Mom: Exactly! It’s been a way to cook food in the fijian culture for a very long time. They like to have lovos on special occasions, and the act of preparing the food together as a group brings good feelings of connection and community. So Asher, if lovo is cooking food in an underground oven, what do you think is the first step to having a lovo?
Asher: Make a hole on the ground?
Mom: That’s a great guess! You gotta dig a fire pit, and then you put coals inside. This helps to keep the heat and the fire inside. Then you add things like chicken, beef, and veggies covered in banana leaves.
Asher: Bananas have leaves?
Mom: They sure do. Banana leaves are often used in many cultures to wrap meat and veggies while they cook, because it keeps the moisture inside.
So in a lovo, Fijians like to wrap their food in banana leaves, and it goes into the underground hole, and they cover the hole with even more banana leaves. The food is cooked inside the hole.
Asher: What does it taste like? Does it taste like bananas?
Mom: No, it does not taste like bananas. But wrapping the food in the banana leaves makes food taste more moist and some might say sweeter. It’s a wonderful way of cooking food in a natural way, one that connects us to the earth.
Asher: If a lovo is like a BBQ, is it a party too?
Mom: Often times because a lovo is way to bring the community together, villagers may spend time singing, dancing, talking or drinking kava.
Asher: What is a kava?
Mom: Kava is a traditional Fijian drink where they crush the root of a plant that we call yaqona (YangGOna). Do you want to try saying this word, Asher? Yang GO na.
Asher: YangGOna!
Mom: Very good. Fijians and visitors will take part in a Kava ceremony to show respect and spend quality time together. Even though kids are welcomed to watch the kava ceremony, usually only grown ups drink the kava. But it’s still important for Fijian kids and kids visiting the islands to know and honor this important tradition that is still practiced today.
Asher: So how do they drink kava?
Mom: A lot of other cultures actually drink other types of kava, but the Fijian way of drinking kava is unique. It’s usually a ceremony, and everyone sits in a circle. It’s another great way for the villagers to get together and connect.
They serve the kava in a coconut shell, and when they give you the drink, you have to clap loudly once and say “BULA!”. After you clap once, you drink the kava, and then clap 3 times.
Mom: Do you want to try it?
Asher: Ok.
Mom: So Clap once and say BULA!
Asher: CLAP. BULA!
Mom: Now I’m going to pretend to give you a kava bowl. And you’re going to drink it. And now you clap 3 times.
Asher: CLAP CLAP CLAP
Mom: Very good.
Asher: But what does BULA mean?
Mom: Ah yes, good question. BULA is way to say “hello” or “welcome!” in the Fijian language, but it actually means “life” or “to live” It’s a warm way to greet someone and a word you’ll hear very often if you visit the islands.
Asher: BULA BULA!
Mom: There are other kava ceremony manners that are good to know if you are visiting. When attending a kava ceremony, you should have your shoulders covered. So you can wear a t shirt, or put a scarf around your shoulders. You sit criss cross applesauce, and try not to make too much noise and show respect and kindness at all times.
Asher: Can we visit Fiji someday?
Mom: Absolutely. Fiji is a magical island and we hope one day we can return with our whole family so that you and Arden can experience the warmth, love and joy that the beautiful people of Fiji share with the world.
We end every episode with some jokes because it is one of Asher’s favorite things to do. Asher, do you have a joke you would like to share with our listeners today?
Asher: What do you get when you have a porcupine and a turtle? A sloooow poke.
Mom: That’s a good one. OK, my turn.
Asher: Make it good!
Mom: Why are the oceans in Fiji so strong?
Asher: Why?
Mom: Because it has a lot of MUSSELS!!!
Well! That’s all we have for today. Check out our Instagram, CultureKidsPodcast, to view some photos of all the wonderful things we talkeda bout today. There you can see photos of Kava bowls, cups, and even some photos of a lovo I got to be a part of.
Have you visited Fiji and experienced a lovo? If so, we’d love to hear all about it and see some photos! Please email us at CultureKidsPodcast@gmail.com and don’t forget to leave us a review and tell us what you would like to learn about next! We can’t wait to hear from you. Until next time, BULA!
Asher: Bula!!!
