A CELEBRATION to honour the uniqueness of the tradition and culture of the Rotuman people was held at Suva’s FMF National Gymnasium yesterday.
More than 3000 people flocked in with their families and relatives to be part of the Rotuma Day celebrations. Root crop competitions, display of various Rotuman traditional handicrafts and traditional chants and dances kept the day lively as people from the seven districts of Rotuma who have lived and worked in Suva and other parts of the country gathered to be part of the grand celebration.
Chief guest and chairman of the Fiji Rotuman Association Paserio Furivai said the day was a very special one for them especially having their elders, youths and children.
“Personally, this is a very special feeling to have our elders and among them the youths and the children and these are the generations to pass on the skills values and culture,” Mr Furivai said.
“This year’s theme is Noa’ia ‘e mauri meaning gratitude for the gift of life and it was also thanking people for the gift of life and at the same time our gratitude to God for sustaining us.
“This theme is unique to the Rotuman culture and its another way of saying that our culture is unique.”
While a very small number of people around the world are Rotumans, Mr Furivai said the event was a way of celebrating that very special moment and the fact that they were proud to call themselves Rotumans.
The annual event has been celebrated in Suva for more than 40 years.
