WHILE it seems the rest of the world seems to be prepping for World War III with a side of social media-fuelled rage, little ol’ Fiji is sitting in the South Pacific, sipping kava, watching the sunset, and wondering why everyone’s so angry.
It’s like the planet forgot how to relax, and Fiji is that one friend at a party who refuses to be dragged into the drama because they’re too busy eating snacks, drinking and vibing with everyone.
So today, let’s take a walk barefoot, of course, through how Fiji is hilariously and heroically refusing to give up its peace, democracy, harmony, and amazing multicultural vibes, even when the rest of the world is rage-tweeting and missile-launching like it’s going out of style.
The world is fighting, Fiji is fishing
Let’s face it. The world right now is a hot mess express. Russia and Ukraine are still in a real-life game of risk, Israel and Palestine are locked in what feels like the most tragic and endless tennis match in history, and India and Pakistan keep side-eyeing each other across the border like two angry neighbours fighting over lawn space.
Meanwhile in Fiji? We’re fishing. Literally.
Someone’s granddad is on a bamboo raft right now trying to catch dinner. And if he doesn’t, no worries, the neighbours will share their catch.
That’s what we call peaceful living. You can’t start a war when you’re too full of lovo and have a nap scheduled under the mango tree at 3pm sharp.
Fiji’s multiracial vibe: Bollywood, rugby, and kava in the same hour
In a world where people are losing their minds over differences in religion, race, and which flag is bigger, Fiji is out here living its best multicultural fantasy.
Where else can you go from watching a rugby match with your Fijian bros, to attending a Diwali function with your Indo-Fijian mates, to hitting a Sunday service with your Christian grandma, all in the same day?
Fiji does not just tolerate diversity, we season it, grill it, share it on banana leaves, and then invite the neighbours over to dance. While the rest of the world is debating who belongs where, Fijians are just making sure everyone gets a plate of food and an invite to the wedding, even if they’re only friends of the cousin’s aunt’s neighbour.
Fiji vs social media
If there is one thing that can turn peaceful people into keyboard gladiators, it’s social media and spicy memes. Twitter/X is where world leaders throw virtual punches, TikTok is where conspiracy theories are more viral than actual viruses, and Facebook, well, that’s where your uncle becomes a foreign policy expert overnight.
But Fiji? We use social media mostly to post sunset pics, tag people in birthday shout-outs, and find out which village is hosting the next biggest feast.
Occasionally, someone might start a Facebook beef, but it usually ends with both parties being scolded by a mutual auntie, followed by a reconciliation over cassava and tea.
Fiji’s unofficial national response to online drama is: “Moce mada, we’re going swimming.”
Actual translation: “Goodbye, we have better things to do than argue with strangers on the internet.”
Democracy in Fiji: Not perfect, but still chilling
Yes, Fiji has had its share of political hiccups. There have been coups, elections, political karaoke, not officially, but let’s be real, Fiji keeps bouncing back. Like a rugby ball, we may be kicked around, but we always land upright.
While some countries argue about whether democracy is even worth the trouble, Fijians are committed to making it work.
You will still hear hot political debates under mango trees, at bus stops, and in kava circles, but no one’s throwing tear gas. Mostly, we just argue, sip, and move on to talking about who should be in the national rugby team.
How Fiji handles global conflict news:
BBC headline: “Tensions escalate in the Taiwan Strait.”
Fiji reaction: “Oilei, that’s sad. Pass the fish curry.”
CNN headline: “Israel and Hamas exchange rocket fire again.”
Fiji reaction: “Very bad, ya. So… whose wedding are we going to next week?”
Other news channels screaming at each other.
Fiji reaction: Switches channel to FBC to watch local talent show.
It’s not that Fijians don’t care about the world, it’s just that we are very aware that yelling at your TV or reposting political memes does not solve anything. If world leaders want peace, maybe they should come sit in a Fijian village, share some kava, and let aunty explain how disagreements are settled over laughter and leftovers.
Fiji’s official peacekeeping squad: Grandmothers and primary schoolteachers (especially, females).
Forget tanks and drones. You want to know who really keeps Fiji peaceful? ‘Nanis’ and teachers. These women have eyes at the back of their heads and no tolerance for foolishness.
Try starting trouble in a Fijian neighbourhood and watch five aunties appear out of nowhere to shut it down faster than a generator during load shedding.
And don’t even think about stirring racial tension. Some aunty will drag you to a community event and make you sit between her iTaukei cousin and Indo-Fijian in-law, while serving you three plates of food you can not pronounce.
Fiji has mastered the art of the passive-aggressive peacekeeping intervention, usually involving food, mild public shaming, and a group singalong.
The unofficial edition of the Fijian Constitution
Let’s break down the unofficial Fijian rules for national peace and unity:
All conflicts must be paused during rugby matches.
No village event is complete without at least 5 ethnicities present.
If you don’t know the person, they’re probably your cousin.
Political debates must be conducted with tea, not fists.
The national emergency plan is: pray, plant more cassava, and stay calm.
The final word: Be like Fiji.
So, to the rest of the world, with your wars, border fights, and cyber meltdowns, Fiji sends this gentle reminder:
Relax. Unclench your jaw. Hug your neighbour. Eat something. Drink kava.
Life is short, and there are too many mangos to pick to waste time on hate.
Fiji’s not perfect, but we’ve got something the world desperately needs: the ability to stay chill, stay united, and stay out of unnecessary fights. Whether it’s through strong community ties, deep cultural respect, or just the soothing rhythm of waves on the reef, we’ve figured out that peace is way more fun than war.
And if the world ever needs a reminder, Fiji is always open. Just leave your missiles at the border and bring your appetite. We’ll handle the rest.
Now repeat after us, in true Fijian style: No war, only lovo.
Ukrainian servicemen sit atop an armoured fighting vehicle, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, at an unknown location in Eastern Ukraine, in this handout picture released on April 19, 2022. Picture: Press service of the Ukrainian Ground Forces/Handout via REUTERS
The author says if world leaders want peace, maybe they should come sit in a Fijian village, share some kava, and let aunty explain how disagreements are settled over laughter and leftovers. Picture: truewindhealingtravel.co
