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=**Kamisese Umbari**= Culture: Fijians =Objective= As a representative from the Fijian culture, I would be a good addition to UNESCO as a Goodwill Ambassador because as a culture, my people have had to overcome many things in order to get to where we are today. In essence, solving problems like the ones my people have done is the purpose UNESCO serves. So when representing my culture, and myself I am also going to be representing the ideals of UNESCO. =Cultural Aspects=

Language
n Fijian is one of the official languages of Fiji. This language was first recognized as an official language in 1997 when the constitution was made. During this time, there was even talk of making Fijian the national language of Fiji. Although, this was never done due to the widespread use of English and Hindustani, which are also official languages of Fiji. Fijian is an Austronesian language and the standard form of it is actually based on the language of Bau, which is the East Fijian equivalent of the standard form. 450,000 people speak Fijian as their first language and another 200,000 people speak it as a second language, most likely after English. This brings the total population to 650,000 people of the total 890, 057 population in Fiji, which makes for a good amount of Fijians that are able to communicate with each other.

Beliefs
n The majority of Fijians are Methodists, which means that they hold Sunday as a very religious day. One Sunday, one would gather with their family and worship God, without any work or even play for that matter. Those that aren’t Methodist are most likely Hindu, Roman Catholic, or even Muslim. But two things stay the same throughout the religions. Fijians take their religion very seriously, no matter the kind, and the religion carries over into other aspects of their culture.

Values
n Family and the community they live in is a big part of Fijian’s lifestyle. Several generations will normally live in the same household, where the men sleep in one area, and the women sleep in another. Sharing resources in the household is also expected from those of the family that are employed and family obligations are also shared. One obligation that is shared is the caring of an elderly relative. Older Fijians are rarely put into nursing homes and instead are cared for by their extended family. Family is valued so much, that even little children learn the value of family quickly, who eventually would embrace other children from outside villages as long lost friends. Aside from family, respect from the elders of the community is very good.

Behaviors
n Fijians are very peaceful and easy-going people, due to the fact that there are not any recorded disputes internationally. That combined with the fact that Fijians perform a ceremony by the name of Kava, using a drink that has the same mellowing affects of alcohol, proves that Fijians are very peaceful. Although peaceful, Fijians still enjoy social interaction very much, holding story-telling sessions, Meke ceremonies, which include song and dance, and large feasts like that of the Lovo ceremony. Fijians also have communities, which have a small group of elders and a spokesman to the elders who are both highly respected, and gaining their respect is vital. =Undesirable Aspects of Fijians=

Underdeveloped
As a culture, Fijians are “stuck” in the past due to the content the people have for living in third world country standards. They are just realizing the value of money and the comfort it brings into their lives.

Inequality
The women are valued below the men of the household. The women without question will look after all of the household chores, whereas the men of the household will make all of the decisions. This is because of the respect the men have gotten from the elders. =Sources= Primary Sources: "Keith and Sabina McCambridge." //PBS//. PBS, 2013. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. . //Amnesty International Public Statement//. N.p.: Amnesty, 8 Aug. 2011. PDF. Print Source: Teleni, Esala. //Fijian Culture Profile//. Castlestown, Queensland: Diversicare, June 2006. PDF. Other Sources: "Fiji Culture, Religion and the Fijian Language." //Fiji Culture and Religion//. Travelonline.com, n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. . "The Traditional Fijian." //The Traditional Fijian//. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. . "Fijian Language." //Wikipedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Jan. 2013. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. . "Central Intelligence Agency." //The World Factbook//. CIA, n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. 