MONEY

I just discovered something pretty cool: the currency here is based on the British Pound, so with all of the notes, there is a picture of the Queen. But, on the tails side of all of the coins there is a cultural picture; like on the 50-cent piece there is a picture of the war catamarans used by Fijian warriors in the 17th and 18th centuries. On the one-cent coin, there is a picture of the kava bowl. (Think of the equivalent of being for the US one-cent coin having a beer can on it!). On the five-cent piece, there is a lali with the i-uaua (the two sticks used to beat the lali)!

It is pretty incredible to think that the lali, a simple percussion instrument, is so much apart of the cultural identity that it is depicted on a coin.



Without a doubt, the lali is symbol of cultural pride; yet, perhaps there is a greater subconscious meaning to it. I might be overanalyzing this, but perhaps by putting the lali on the five-cent piece, it demonstrates how traditional Fijian culture has prevailed in a modern Christian context.

Sure, Fiji has embraced Christianity with open arms; but, like in so many other cultures, Christianity has been fused with the indigenous traditions of the converted country. Lalis, once used in the pagan religious services in Fiji, are still present in the Christian church services today.

Again, this is a classic example of a Westerner trying to academically explain a random cultural tidbit; but, I do think it is neat that Fijians have been able to retain a little piece of their heritage.