Fiji Islands Travel Guide | Discover the Islands | Lomaiviti Group | Regional Highlights

A Chat and a Nap are legitimate Activities in Levuka

As a visitor you may say who wants to waste time chatting and napping. As a long-term resident of Fiji let me assure you that this is the way to really get to know Fijians and the real Fiji.

In Levuka, and Fiji in general, chatting is known as a ‘talanoa’ session. This manifests itself in many ways.

Possibly the prime and foremost form of talanoa is around the kava bowl. This session has a requirement of a minimum of two participants and no limit on the maximum, at times running to hundreds if attending a gathering or function.

Topics will be many and varied ranging from what you did today to discussions on organizing the next major fundraising for the church. Conversation around a kava bowl is a social occasion and can be a breeding place of discussion about that neighbor that did this and that – you know, it’s called gossip

Another form of talanoa emerges when you pass by villagers and they call out the inevitable, …….tea”, inviting you for a cuppa and a chat. The standard questions will then be posed. “Where are you from, how long will you be here and where is your husband or wife?”

Mixing it with the Levuka locals

It should not be misconstrued as being nosey but simply a genuine attempt to find out all about you.

And then we go to the talanoa that takes place on public transport. It can be quite a difficult task to decipher what the talanoa is actually about as up to 30 people can all be talking, laughing or shrieking at once. But if you can’t savvy what’s going on just keep smiling and you’ll be fine.

A talanoa around a few drinks tends to evolve in Levuka in exactly the same way as it does in other parts of the world. The talk get louder, the stories more exaggerated and the claims to fame more ridiculous. All the more reason to tell your story, listen to others and forget it all the next day.

And finally there is the market talanoa.

A unique opportunity to mix it with Fijians and Indo-Fijians who till the land and sweat on a daily basis to put food on the table. In any country these are the people that are the backbone of a nation and are universally known as ‘salt of the earth’. Visit a local market and pass some time with the locals – you will be richly rewarded in return.

And when the talanoas have run their course, take an afternoon nap and recharge the batteries for the evening session.

A ‘chat and a nap’ is a great way to get to know the people of our Fiji and for them to get to know you.