FAMILY

In the Fijian culture, there are certain relationships which require family members to avoid one another out of respect.  Traditionally, the brother and sister relationship is supposed to be one of avoidance.  In "The Fijian Way", Ravuvu states, " When approaching adulthood, the once free, playful and intimate relationship of young childhood days is discouraged, and is expected to behave with repect to one's siblings of the opposite sex.  More importantly and more often followed, when a male sibling gets married, the female siblings must avoid their married brother.  Also, the wife must avoid her husband's brothers.
   The Mother's Brother - Another relationship which requires respect is found in one's relationship with his or her "momo" or mother's brother.  This relationship does not require complete avoidance, though.  Instead, one is not allowed to eat or drink with his or her "momo".  Also, one is not allowed to sleep in his house.  This is because the mother's brother is the person who buries you when you die so you must show him respect by avoiding him.
   As opposed to the Western system which does not differentiate between age and same sex versus opposite sex relationships, the Fijian culture has an extensive kin term system which proves a distinctive term for every relative and defines each relationship.
   Fijian society is generally male-dominated and everything is inherited through the male line.  Not only are physical things passed down from the father such as land, but also things such as status and position in society.  When a woman is married, she joins her husband's "mataqali" and only returns to her father's mataqali if her husband dies.  Her children, will remain in his mataqali, even if the father dies.
   Needless to say, I am still learning the language for each member of the family and understand the relationships.  More about culture, language, non-verbal language later.........

Our Fijian host family in Lodoni.....  Matavuvale
Younger Sister....taciqu yalewa
Son's Son.....makabuqu tagane
Husband's Brother...noqu daku tagane
Husband....daulomani
Brother's daughter.....vugoqu yalewa
Son....luvequ tagane
Grandson....makabuqu
Husband's sister.....noqu daku yalewa
Sister's son....luvequ tagane
Wife's sister's husband.....karua
Mother's younger sister's husband....tata lailai
Elder brother....tuakaqu tagane
baby...gone dramidrami