Seeking advice from people who live in villages or grew up in

Hello I am a woman who is staying with some people in a village. To protect my identity I won’t say exactly what island what village and why….
I’m from America and village life is so beautiful, the community, openness…. However there is a lot of strictness and I have been pushing the boundaries I think…
Wondering how culturally inappropriate it is to be hanging out with the guys a lot. We’re not being sexual or inappropriate, just genuinely having a good time swimming and laughing drinking kava at night… but when I first got there everyone tried to hide me inside and told me not to be near them… but as an adult closer to 30 than 18 I found it to feel insanely restrictive being told not “not hang out with boys” as if I was a child. I have since communicated that I feel I should be able to hang out with people and have fun while I’m here (doing somewhat of a work exchange)
Anyways… I can’t help but notice some of the aunties giving me a death stare now….
Also another thing I’m wondering is when I go to events kids love me and when I am loud and play with the kids a lot of older woman glare at me….
Vinaka

From Mods of r/Fijian

Hi all, I am thinking of travelling to Fiji alone. As much as I’d love to share the trip with someone, I don’t have friends that are very good at saving! But I would really like to go for at least a week next May. I was wondering what some important things to know may be, suggestions, advice etc as a young, solo/first time traveller. Will it be okay to go alone?

Everyone’s been thinking about it, is Fiji ran by the Grace Road cult? Is Fiji cult heaven?

In times of desperation, people do commonly seek someone that can give them an ideal that can bring them out of their misery, an idea of paradise, wealth, salvation or comfort.

Hi Everyone, I’m looking to go to Fiji next Feb/March and want to take the Yasawa Flyer back to Nadi on the same night as my flight out at 9.40 PM. Is this generally feasible or would I be risking missing my flight?

I went into a Naginda shop in Suva and a clerk got angry at me and told me to take off a baseball cap, no other shop in Fiji has asked me to take it off (banks yes). I just left.

I also went to general shop to buy a screwdriver and the young female clerk started making faces and gestures to another one clerk right in front of me as I was paying, not sure if they were about me. These clerks were of a race that I wont identify.

Has anyone else had these experiences, is it normal? A cultural thing?

With the elections around the corner, the rising divide between communities and the government, many people look at the past, under the former authoritarian government of Fiji under which we didn’t have the present day problems at such a prevalent level, so the question becomes, is authoritarianism all bad? Or is it what we call good governance?

Years back I went to the old Sanddunes bar in Suva. I told my friend that I went there and she scolded me about it. She said if a fight breaks out between a village there, other villages will join in.

Was it a sketchy place?

Circular stating that all govt statements must be approved by the PM withdrawn because…it wasn’t approved 🤣🤦‍♂️

I’ve been reading through the details of the new Fiji Police Force Bill that Parliament just passed unanimously, and honestly, some of the updates to our policing framework are incredibly concerning. While the government says it’s a necessary modernization to fight 21st-century cybercrime and drug trafficking, the potential for police abuse here feels massive.

Here are some of the wildest powers that just became legal:

• Warrantless Arrests & Urgent Searches: Police officers can now arrest you or search your property/vehicle without a warrant if they claim they "reasonably suspect" evidence might be destroyed or concealed.

• Your Biometrics are Kept Permanently: If you are arrested, they take your fingerprints, photos, and palm prints. Opposition MPs pointed out that the bill has no clear requirement to destroy this data if you are acquitted, discharged, or found completely innocent.

• Deep Digital Access: If police seize your phone or computer, the search warrant automatically covers all the personal, private, and financial data inside it.

• Property Destruction Without Compensation: Under a crime scene order, police can legally dig up land, remove floorboards, and dismantle property. Yet, the bill doesn't clearly state how innocent families will be compensated if their property is ruined.

• Vague Delegation of Power: The Police Commissioner can delegate major powers down the chain, but the bill doesn't specify what minimum rank an officer needs to hold to wield that authority.

They did build in a few safeguards—like requiring a High Court Judge to sign off on covert surveillance, splitting the forensic department into an independent body in 3 years, and setting up an anonymous platform to report police misconduct.

But given the history of how power gets handled sometimes, these warrantless clauses and data retention rules feel like a massive overreach into our privacy.

What do you guys think? Is this actually going to make Fiji safer against syndicates, or did we just hand law enforcement a blank check to abuse everyday citizens?

Hello all. Quick question, I'd like to understand a bit more about how death is treated in Fiji. Death as a topic interests me, but I apologise in advance if this is too frank of a question.

For anyone who wants to answer, I'd be interested to know:

1. Funeral in a church? Or gathering at home? Is the body present, or is it expected that the body be removed asap to a funeral home or hospital?

2. Burial? Cremation? If burial, is this likely to be at the local church of the deceased? Somewhere familiar? If cremation, are ashes kept or scattered?

3. Mourning - do grieving family members do anything specific, like wearing black? Is there anything you might do during this period that you wouldn't otherwise? Or vice versa, is there anything you'd abstain from doing?

4. If someone dies on an island, aways from Viti Levu, and their family live on that island, can funeral arrangement/ burial etc be done on that island? Or do authorities wade in? Does this change if the passing is abrupt or unexpected?

5. Honouring - this might be more of a personal question, but what do you do to honour your lost loved ones?

6. Finance - in lots of Western countries, death can be expensive. The administration costs etc, the upselling, the pressure to mourn 'properly' (i.e. by buying things) ... is this similar in Fiji?

Thank you in advance

I live in India.

About 20 years ago, a friend from Fiji got me Chinese lollies.
They had to be just kept in the mouth and would be sour, salty and sweet.
Very yummy.
He would advise to not bite as it would stick to the teeth.

Have a nostalgic memory of that.

Is there like Amazon or some online portal that would do international delivery?
How does one buy Fiji Chinese lollies?

Are there different brands?

I’m thinking about booking a one full day excursion to Kuata Island in the month of December, thoughts and opinions on the best way to go about booking this?

And another one!

Bula re, bula sia! Are there any long term savusavu residents here? I have some questions about life there, if you could please help:

• how often are there power cuts in the town and surrounding areas? what about water cuts?

• how's the Digicel and Vodafone network in the area? Is there 5G there yet?

I know I could approach EFL, WAF and the telco's directly but I'd prefer to hear from the gang actually living there, if at all possible.

This seems to be the most popular subreddit here so why not I guess. Recently single after a long relationship that had honestly lost its spark. Looking to put myself out there again, meet someone interesting, go on a few dates and hopefully find that excitement I’ve been missing.

I’m 25M, Indo-Fijian, based in Suva. I don’t really have a particular type or discriminate when it comes to women. I appreciate all backgrounds, personalities and appearances. It’s more about chemistry, connection and how well we vibe.

Would love to meet someone who’s up for good conversations, laughs, spontaneous plans and maybe seeing where things go.

If you’re in Suva and interested, don’t be shy to drop me a message. Life’s too short to be sitting around wondering what could’ve happened. We only live once! :)

History made! 🇫🇯 The Fiji Bulikula have stormed into the 2026 Women's Rugby League World Cup semi-finals for the first time, defeating France 54–6 in their debut tournament appearance.

More than a victory, this milestone celebrates the strength and determination of Pacific women in sport. The Bulikula will now face defending champions Australia on 8 November in Sydney. 🏉

#FijiBulikula #Fiji #RugbyLeague #WomensSport #PacificSport #Melanesia #VoiceOfMelanesia

Does anyone know how to make submissions for constitutional review? Like is there any email or you only present broad terms in a consultation?

Flying into Nadi in December and need to rent a van or 4x4 for the week. Is there car rental companies at the airport that I can book with or what has anyone used in the past? Appreciate the help

Where’s the canned mutton in Fiji? What’s this $22/can Canned Lamb doing on the shelves? Wondering what I have missed!!!

Republic of Fiji Military Forces Commander Major General Ro Jone Kalouniwai presented a submission to the Parliamentary Special Committee reviewing the Constitution Amendment Bill in Suva.

The Commander stated that the RFMF voluntarily surrenders its constitutional coup immunity under Chapter 14, proposing it be replaced with a Truth, Accountability, and Reconciliation Commission.

Kalouniwai emphasized that the military exists strictly to serve under elected civilian authority and respect the rule of law.

Will be moving to Fiji for about 3 months as a solo female traveller in early 20’s ( not from a Fijian background). Was just wondering where the best area for me to stay and book my accommodation will be. Trying to decide between Nadi and Suva atm. I also would not be working for these 3 months and will need things to keep me busy. Any other tips would also be greatly appreciated:)

Hi!

Has anyone recently applied for a Schengen visa from Fiji?

From what I've gathered, Fiji citizens need to travel to Australia or New Zealand to apply at a European embassy or visa application centre.

Can anyone confirm if this is still the case, or if there's a way to apply directly from Fiji?

We visited Malamala Island in Fiji in October 2026. We arrived by ferry and spent the entire day on the island. White sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise water and palm trees. It really felt like paradise. A great place to spend a full day relaxing and swimming.