The Fijian Language Week 2024 theme, Vakamareqeta na Vosa Vakaviti - Nurture and Sustain the Fijian Language, holds great significance for the Fijian community in the Aotearoa diaspora. Our language is a cultural capital that adds value to our identity, sense of belonging, and relevance in the spaces where we are called to serve. Language is considered one of humanity’s greatest discoveries, as it holds the key to meaningful and authentic communication. To nurture the Fijian language for those in the diaspora means to understand the origins of the words, how they are structured in sentences, and their applicability in various contexts. This process of nurturing can begin within our stories and indigenous discourse. This is evident at the UN General Assembly marking the International Year of Indigenous Languages, dedicated to defending and promoting the 6,700 native languages spoken around the world, many of which are disappearing at a rate of two per month. The assembly agreed that “as we defend the linguistic heritage of each community, other people will be able to recognise the beauty behind each mother tongue because each language has its own unique and incomparable history” (Yalitza Aparicio, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for the Indigenous Peoples). To know one’s story is to safeguard the historical context and cultural practices of its people. Language begins to make sense when people understand its construction and meaning.

Vakamareqeta is a significant term in the Fijian context. The prefix vaka refers to the idea of ‘to do continuously,’ and mareqeta refers to the practices of safeguarding, nurturing, or protecting something that belongs to you. The word is often used in the context of safeguarding a home, village, belongings, and, in many cases, our children. The practices of nurturing and safeguarding align with the aspiration of investing for future generations.

In addition, certain Fijian concepts are unique to the indigenous peoples of Fiji. One example is Bula Sautu, which refers to the notion of a ‘prosperous, harmonious, and thriving community.’ This concept emphasises collective and holistic well-being. To achieve a state of Bula Sautu, guiding principles such as yalomalua (humility), vakarokoroko(deference), veidokai (respect), and vakarorogo (attentiveness and compliance) are essential. These values are interwoven, allowing society to thrive in harmony and prosperity. It is believed that one cannot fully understand these values if the original context is overlooked. In other words, the Fijian language is embedded in a web of interconnectedness. For Fijians, everything has veiwekani (kinship/relationship, blood ties), which makes language a magimagi (coconut-fibre cord) that strengthens these kinship ties. Understanding your veiwekani is crucial, as it makes one aware of the language used when speaking to others, including the subtle nuances of the Fijian language.

Furthermore, the normalisation of safeguarding, nurturing, and sustaining the Fijian language in homes, churches, workplaces, and communities brings us closer to reviving our Fijian cultural identity in the diaspora. This includes creating spaces for knowledge transmission and language revitalisation, incorporating Indigenous concepts into strategies and policies, and showcasing Indigenous artefacts in the spaces we occupy. The more we weave our language into our daily lives, the more promising it becomes for future generations to safeguard this gift of the Fijian language.