Author: Anita Mitchell

Fiji is brimming with ancient traditions and a history like no other. As a proud Fijian establishment, and a place that accommodates people from all corners of the world, here at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, we love nothing more than to show off and teach such cultural practices to everyone that steps through our doors.

Discover a world of tradition through our range of cultural activities.

Enjoy a traditional lovo feast

Every Tuesday night, our in-house chef Raymond Lee and his team treat our guests to a traditional Fijian lovo feast. This cooking method has been adopted throughout the South Pacific and delivers unbeatable flavour and juiciness.

The lovo involves wrapping an array of ingredients in banana leaves and cooking them in an underground fire pit for a number of hours to create tender and delectable results.

Once cooked, Raymond presents the delicacies in a buffet style for everyone to dig in and enjoy.

A traditional Fijian lovo feast is a must-do when staying at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort.

Experience a Fijian kava ceremony

On Tuesday, we also give our guests the opportunity to partake in an authentic kava ceremony.

This age old tradition features the kava drink – a safe, non-alcoholic beverage made from the ground root of a South Pacific black pepper tree. Kava has been found to induce relaxation and give a slight numbing effect, which is completely normal and safe if consumed in moderation.

It's important to follow the cultural practices when accepting kava, all of which can be found on our recent kava ceremony blog post.

Join our complimentary village excursion

Tuesday is a non-stop day of culture as it's the day of the week where guests can join our complimentary excursion to the local Nukubalavu village. Here, visitors can meet the village chief, Tui Nasavusavu, and spend the afternoon watching traditional dance presentations, and arts and craft demonstrations. It's a great trip for the whole family to enjoy, and the perfect way to immerse yourself in Fijian culture.

Watch cultural dance presentations at the local Fijian village.

Visit a local church service

In Fiji, Sunday is 'Siga Tabu' –  a day of rest and relaxation. It's also the day of the week where guests can experience a traditional Fijian church service.

Transport runs to various denomination services including Methodist and Catholic for the 9am services. Visitors can listen to the angelic voices of the choir and find out what is involved in these religious practices.

It's important to wear smart, modest clothing, with shoulders and knees covered.

Learn how to weave

Every Friday, guests can sign up for a lesson in weaving held by ladies of the local village. Here, you'll use a variety of traditional Fijian methods and materials to create authentic wares and gifts. This is fun for all the family and a great way to learn a new skill in stunning surroundings.

Listen to traditional Fijian stories

Every Tuesday, guests of all ages can sit with the elders and listen to the ancient myths that have become part of the folklore over more than 3,000 years of Fijian history.

The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is the perfect place to immerse yourself in luxury and tradition. Find out how we can make your stay even more magical by getting in touch today. 

Fiji is a country brimming with fascinating history, ancient traditions and a vibrant culture that we're endlessly proud to embody here at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort.

The kava ceremony is just one of the time-honoured practises held at our five star luxury resort. But just what can you expect from this world-renowned ritual?

Find out what a kava ceremony involves below.

What is kava?

Kava is a traditional, non-alcoholic Fijian drink made from the ground root of the piper mythisticum – a type of black pepper plant grown in the Pacifics. It contains a number of natural active chemicals known as kava lactones. These have been found to produce a number of effects such as muscle relaxation, medicinal benefits and a slight numbing sensation – all of which are safe if consumed in moderation.

Upon harvest, kava is ground and mixed with water to dilute the substance for safe consumption. It's then strained to deliver an earthy flavour and appearance, ready for drinking at special events and ceremonial occasions.

Kava plants can grow up to 2.5 metres tall!

What happens in a traditional kava ceremony?

Kava is often consumed as part of a tradtional ceremony at local Fijian villages. If you're lucky enough to join, there are a few rules you must adhere to. Before entering a village, visitors must first gain formal permission from the chief. This traditional protocol is otherwise known as sevusevu and involves the presentation of kava to the village chief on arrival.

When joining our complimentary excursion to the local village of Nukubalavu, the sevusevu is done on your behalf. If you do meet the chief during this visit, it's important to stay below his eye level to avoid causing disrespect. Always bow, introduce yourself and back away without turning away.

When accepting this traditional Fijian drink, clap once with cupped hands, take the drink, and consume the entirety of it. Once finished, return the cup to the person who gave it to you and clap strongly three times. You may feel a slight numbing sensation on your tongue, but kava is considered very safe to drink in small quantities. However, if you are on any type of medication or are of ill-health, we suggest politely declining this drink. If this is the case, extend both hands outwards with your thumbs overlapping and say 'vinaka', which means no thank you. 

How the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort can bring you closer to the action

Guests of the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort can partake in a traditional kava ceremony most evenings and when joining our complimentary excursion to the local village of Nukubalavu.

We're extremely proud of our heritage and work to practise various traditional Fijian traditions wherever possible. Guests can experience a cultural lovo feast, take part in a Fijian story-telling session and of course, immerse yourself in the unforgettable kava ceremony. Discover a world of culture and tradition when staying at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort.