WHETHER Indigenous Fijians should identify as Kai Viti or iTaukei has emerged as a key issue in Fiji’s constitutional review, with two prominent figures offering differing views while supporting “Fijian” as the shared identity for all citizens.
President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has proposed that the term “Fijian” continue to refer to every citizen of Fiji, while Indigenous Fijians adopt “Kai Viti” as their ethnic identity.
Speaking at the Meridian Store’s 100th anniversary celebration in Wairiki, Taveuni, yesterday, Ratu Naiqama said every citizen, whether by birth or naturalisation, should proudly be known as a Fijian.
“For me, every person who has acquired Fiji citizenship is a Fijian,” he said.
“That identity belongs to every citizen of our nation.”
He said adopting the identity “Kai Viti” would clearly distinguish indigenous Fijians while strengthening national unity.
“I would like to strongly suggest that we take the identity as Kai Viti,” he said.
However, political sociologist and constitutional scholar Distinguished Professor Steven Ratuva believes the correct ethnic identity remains iTaukei, arguing that the term has a far stronger historical and cultural connection to indigenous people.
He also said in conversations, native Fijians usually refer to themselves as “keda na iTaukei…”
In his submission to the Constitution Review Commission, Prof Ratuva said “Fijian” was a European-derived term that evolved from the colonial interpretation of “Viti”, while “iTaukei” reflected the indigenous people’s relationship with their land, culture and history.
“So if we really want to have connections with our land, with our culture, with our history, then iTaukei is a term that we must use,” he said.
The contrasting views have added a significant new dimension to the constitutional review, placing questions of identity, history and nationhood firmly at the centre of the national conversation.
