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Considered to be one of the most polite cultures in the world, Fijians are very soft-spoken and gentle. A country with large Christian, Hindu and Muslim populations, Fiji truly stands for unity in diversity. Apart from some of the major festivals such as Christmas, Diwali and Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday many other regional festivals and carnivals are held annually. While some are celebrated for mere pleasure, others have a social cause attached to them. Given below is a listing of all the major festivals of Fiji.
Christmas: As in other parts of the world, Christmas in Fiji is also celebrated with much merriment and pomp. On Christmas Eve, people go to the church and sing carol songs. Communal parties and picnics on the sea beaches are a popular sight during Christmas here. While the main attraction of the celebrations – the Santa Claus – distributes gifts and toys to the kids.
Diwali: Every year during October / November, Diwali or the “Festival of Lights” is celebrated in Fiji. Diwali is a Hindu festival which is celebrated in Fiji mainly by the Indo-Fijian communities. During Diwali, people decorate their homes beautifully with lights, candles and diyas (small oil lamps) and sweets are exchanged between families. A celebration of good (Lord Ram) over evil, Diwali in Fiji has been declared as a public holiday and is celebrated with much merriment and enthusiasm.
Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day: Every year on the last Monday of May Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day is celebrated in Fiji. A national holiday in Fiji, Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day is celebrated in memory of the father of modern Fiji, Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna (1888-1958). During its celebration, speeches are given by the President of Fiji and many members of the public enter the Parliament grounds to wash and clean the statue of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna. A celebrated war hero during the First World War and honored with France’s highest military award, Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna was a distinguished statesman and would continue to remain in the hearts of the masses forever.
Other City Festivals of Fiji: Apart from the above listed major festivals of Fiji, three other city festivals are also celebrated in Fiji with much fanfare. These festivals are namely, The Bula Festival, the Hibiscus Festival and the Sugar Festival. While the Bula Festival is celebrated every year in the month of July in Nadi, the Hibiscus Festival is celebrated in the month of November in Suva and last but not the least the Sugar Festival is celebrated in Lautoka. Parades of marching bands and beauty pageants are organized during these festive times and are celebrated with much enthusiasm all over Fiji. A celebration of the land, the Bula Festival stands for a celebration of horseracing in Nadi, the Sugar Festival in Latouka is a celebration of all the sugar that Latouka produces and the Hibiscus Festival in Suva are all very popular amongst the masses and are celebrated with equal enthusiasm.
Some of the other festivals of Fiji include Holi, Eid, Prophet Mohammad’s Birthday, Easter, National Youth Day and Chinese New Year.
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