Problematizing the dominant: the emergence of alternative cultural voices in Fiji rugby

Abstract

Today's indigenous Fijian culture is often said to be represented by ratuism, religion and rugby. Rugby is widely described as Fiji's ‘national’ sport, with a considerable degree of social significance. That rugby is listed alongside two powerful institutions (ratuism and religion) in the life of indigenous Fijians is a clear indication of the central cultural importance of the sport. In this paper, drawing upon the existing literature as well as our own research data, we outline the key aspects of the dominant rugby discourse in relation to ratuism and religion, along with exploring some of rugby's main alternative cultural ‘functions’. Employing a cultural studies approach, our main goal is to interpret and (re)present some of the chief alternative discourses in Fiji rugby and to discuss their role in the formation of dominant and emergent cultural practices.

Keywords:

• Fiji
• ratuism
• religion
• rugby
• indigenous identity
• alternative discourses

Notes

¹ In setting up the structure of colonial rule, the British colonists incorporated prominent chiefs of southeast Viti Levu (the main island) and the eastern islands (Durutalo, 1986a, 1986b; Norton, 1990).

² Fiji has since experienced another military coup in 2006, with the country under military rule to date. However, in this latest coup, the military made a decisive move away from its traditional role associated with ethno-nationalism by overthrowing a government elected with the majority support of indigenous Fijians and claiming the eradication of ethnic politics as one of its primary motives (Fraenkel & Firth, 2007).

³ Subsequently, the FRU Board made the decision to reinstate the practice (‘Cibi stays’, 2009). In 2012, cibi was replaced with a new war dance called i-bole (‘New War Dance’, 2012).

⁴ Prasad (2008) argues that football was originally introduced to and played actively by indigenous Fijians in the western region, especially, in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

⁵ For instance, Joseph Sadal was selected into the national under-21 team in 2002/3 and Jack Prasad (whose father is Indo-Fijian) played for the national team between 2004 and 2007 and currently plays for the British Army team. More recently, in 2013, Rocky Khan (whose father is Indo-Fijian) became the first Fijian of Indian descent to become an All Black.

⁶ These are the Lautoka, Nadi, Nadroga, Naitasiri, and Nasinu teams.

⁷ These are the Lautoka, Nadi, Naitasiri, Namosi, Nasinu, University of the South Pacific, Highlanders and Sigatoka teams, as well as two teams in Suva.

⁸ Formerly known as ‘Indo-Fijian rugby’ it was renamed “Fiji Indo rugby” some years ago due to the preference shown by the FRU.

⁹ About half of these teams operate actively. These are the Nadi, Naitasiri, Lautoka, and Wainivula (formerly known as Nasinu) teams.

¹⁰ Indo-Fijian rugby was initially developed by ‘full’ Indo-Fijians whose parents were both of Indian descent. The eligibility rules for this category have since been contested and changed, and the only formal requirement today is that one parent of the player should be Indo-Fijian.

¹¹ These are: Queen Victoria School (Bluez), Marist Sea Hawks, Nausori, Serua, Nadi and the University of the South Pacific.

¹² These clubs are Queen Victoria School Bluez, Marist Sea Hawks, Striders, Ricketts and Central Chiefs.