Part Three: SDL on common name - Fijian and Fiji Islander?

Fijian must remain exclusive preserve of indigenous identity

What's in a name? It means everything.

It is not surprising, therefore, that SDL wants the name "Fijian" to be reserved exclusively to describe the indigenous peoples of Fiji.

In its submission to the Yash Ghai chaired Constitution Review Commission the SDL argues its position as follows:

The Regime has decreed that all Fiji citizens be called Fijians - the SDL is not against a common name. This has been an issue of national importance to build a cohesive Fiji. But this must be done with wider consultations especially with the concurrence of Fijians and of all communities.

This imposition by the Regime is unacceptable and objectionable to the Fijian people. It has completely trampled on the right of the indigenous people to be heard on such an important issue. It is common protocol and courtesy to request for a name you want to acquire from one who already has that name. This imposition of a national common identity is not the way to build a harmonious multicultural society for the future.

Contrary to some recent comments the word “Fiji” is a corruption of the word “Viti” by the Tongans who pronounced it “fisi” which was further modified by the early Europeans into “Fiji”. The islands were from then on referred to as Fiji and its inhabitants as Fijians.

Serevi: Fijian Icon

Rubgy associated with Fijians

Corporal Sefanaia Sukunaivalu - Victoria Cross hero from war in the Solomons

“i-Taukei” is is no substitute for the word “Fijian”

Trading identities to suit his own objectives

Inescapable past: Fijian identity, culture, language and history is unique

Fiji Islander should be name of other races in multi-racial Fiji

Joeli Baledrokadroka thesis

As far back as the 19th Century the word “Fijian” has been used to identify indigenous Fijians.“Fijian” is used in much legislation, including the 1997 Constitution.

In all these laws the word “Fijian” refers to indigenous Fijians. The indigenous peoples of Fiji are well documented in history and in other academic work as Fijians.

Their poetry, dances, works of art, tradition and culture are documented as Fijian. The indigenous Fijian people have molded through sports, active military participation, unique cultural heritage etc a Fijian identity which is recognized the world over.

Fijian is also increasingly becoming a highly acclaimed brand in the world market place and this is increasingly being used for art and art forms that depict tapa like products and patterns for clothing and for art and art pieces, music, chants and other indigenous compositions. Other products and commodities like Fiji Water and Pure Fiji and scented coconut oil and other fresh food products are being marketed on the strength of their association with Fiji and the Fijian brand.

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Brand power: Fiji Water and Pure Fiji coconut oil etc marketed on the strength of the Fijian name.

In the world of sports especially in rugby sevens and 15’s a particular brand of open and running rugby is associated with the Fijians. The military skills, expertise and bravery, of Fijians tested in the jungles of the Solomon Islands and the tropical forests of Malaysia and the sandy and dry deserts of the Middle East has attracted attention world-wide and the demand for soldiers in the United Kingdom, United Nations Peace keeping troops and in private security operations in war torn areas all over the world, Fijians are in high demand.

There is therefore an emerging Fijian brand and world identity and this has taken a long time and a lot of work and effort to develop and cultivate. Then there is the multitudinous array of Fijian food and arts and craft. These have been developed and shaped mostly by the indigenous ingenuity of Fijians. The Fijians therefore have some justification to feel aggrieved when others have come in and exploited these for their benefits; and they feel it is their brand and their name.

We agree with Mr Baledrokadroka’s assertion that…… “Basically, an involuntary name change, especially involving a whole race, risks permanent generational and emotional resentment by such a race for what is basically, identity theft.”

A race of approximately 600,000 people needs this for cohesion and strength to survive amidst the onslaught of dominant cultures and its attendant propaganda machines. It gives them a sense of pride and security in a world of globalised culture. Just when they were beginning to feel a sense of “Fijian” being and identity on the world stage they were coerced to give it up.

Furthermore the Regime had decreed that the word “iTaukei” be used for indigenous Fijians. Taukei is a prefix meaning “owner of” for instance “taukei ni lori” (owner of a
vehicle) or taukei ni sitoa (“owner of a shop”). Indigenous Fijians are now called “owners of”, Of what? They have no idea! The indigenous Fijians feel that they have become a “prefix” rather than a substantive entity in their homeland.

Additionally, “……… there is an issue, however, with “i Taukei” if the intended name to mean what it represents. Taukei-ism has taken on a militant indigenous political meaning since the 1987 coups. The name sharpens instrumentalist views such as generated by the ethno nationalist “Taukei Movement” and will definitely inhibit political moderation. This possible untoward outcome is the exact opposite of the all racial new  “Fijian” civic- nationalism call of the . Unwittingly, the Taukei branding will by default also officially assign all other races in Fiji to perpetual Vulagi (guest) status.”52

The word “i-Taukei” is therefore is no substitute for the word “Fijian”. The word “Fijian” describes the indigenous Fijian aptly. The word cannot be identified with Fiji citizens from other ethnic communities. The issue of a common name for all Fiji citizens should be resolved through dialogue, consultation, and eventually by consensus. The common name “Fiji Islander” is contained in the Reeves Commission Report. If the common names 'Solomon Islander', 'Cook Islander' and 'New Zealander' can stick, there is no reason why “Fiji Islander” cannot.

The SDL Party is of the view that “Fiji Islander” is a good common name for all Fiji citizens and will require some marketing efforts abroad, especially to our Pacific neighbors.

It is also not clear whether other ethnic communities would like to be called Fijians. It is more likely that the majority of them would prefer that the world “Fijian” be reserved for indigenous Fijians. You really have to be an indigenous Fijian, speaking their language, living their way of life, dressing the way they dress and relating to others in the way they do to really appreciate the sense of loss in the removal of a name that identifies them with all these.

This is borne in a recent survey by the Citizen Constitution Forum (CCF) wherein the majority of respondents stated that they wanted the name Fijian to be reserved for Fijians.The Regime is virtually saying to all native Fijians to abandon their previous name “Fijian” and take on the new name “i Taukei” whether they like it not, including the
negative connotations.

For common names, for different ethnic communities whatever names are adopted there will be a need for publicity. The differentiation into ethnic groups is not racist or discriminatory. These are all essential tools for social justice programmes, special educational assistance or to tackle health problems for which certain ethnic genetic makeup may be susceptible to. There are problems that are particular to an ethnic group, due to circumstances, lifestyles, history or culture whether they are ethnic Indians, Fijians or Pacific Islanders. These need to be identified to effectively address them.