Traditional Fiji Wisdom

Lutu na niu, lutu ki vuna.

“The coconut falls close to its own roots.”

Children tend to grow up resembling the home and upbringing that shaped them.

Dui seva ga na bua ka tea.

“You will reap the flowers of the bua you planted.”

Everyone must live with the consequences of their own actions.

Sivi mada na veikau qai kalu.

“First go past the forest before you start whistling.”

Finish the task at hand before celebrating or boasting of success.

Toro cake na ua, toro cake na kolokolo.

“As the waves rise higher, the swimmer tries to rise higher still.”

A warning against arrogance in the young who ignore the advice of their elders and overreach their own limits.

E sega ni vuka na kaka me biu toka na buina.

“The parrot will not fly off and leave its tail behind in the nest.”

A leader should never set out without the essential support and counsel needed to succeed.

Ucu ni vatu na kena vivili.

“At the edge of the rock, the shellfish are gathered and protected.”

Young women are watched over and protected by their families.

Na dalo e tei ka vakasulina.

“Taro is planted together with its suckers.”

A daughter is raised with care by her parents, so a suitor should approach them with proper respect before courting her.

E lauta na bici na kena ikolo.

“The bici bird is struck by the very arrow meant for it.”

Wrongdoing eventually meets its rightful and fitting punishment.

Dromu na vula, dromu vata kei na kena kalokalo.

“When the moon sets, its star sets together with it.”

The death of a person deeply affects those closest to them, who may soon follow in grief.

Daru qai laki sota ki na gasau leka.

“We shall meet again at the place where the short reed grows.”

A gentle farewell acknowledging that this parting may be the last, spoken of the life beyond.

Ki Namuka vata ga nikua.

“We will all reach Namuka just the same, today.”

Different paths and choices can still lead to the very same outcome.

Vakavuti sara ga na rewai, qai vuku na kai Viti.

“Only when the eel grows fur will the Fijian become wise.”

Said of something that will take an extremely long time, if it ever happens at all.

Sega ni ura me sa tei damu.

“A prawn does not simply turn red on its own.”

Where there is a rumor or a visible effect, there is usually a real cause behind it — there is no smoke without fire.

Cokacoka na vula.

“Trying to strike the moon with a spear.”

Chasing after something entirely beyond reach, especially in matters of the heart.

Lauti koya na sui ni kena.

“The fish-bone from his own meal is what pierced him.”

A person is caught and harmed by a trap or scheme of their own making.

Qalova uaua na moka.

“Swimming out to the fish trap while the tide is still high.”

Acting at the wrong, risky moment instead of waiting for the safe and proper time.

E vaka e kana uvi kataka.

“Like someone eating a hot piece of yam.”

Said of a person who speaks so fast and awkwardly that they cannot be understood.

Vaka e cavu na dalo matua.

“Like pulling a fully matured taro from the ground.”

Describes someone who responds to a request quickly and willingly, without complaint.

E dua ga na siga ni cola qele.

“It is only one more day of carrying soil.”

Encouragement to push through and finish hard work, since the end is finally in sight.

Voci vaka vudi.

“It is like peeling a ripe plantain.”

Describes a task that is simple and requires very little effort.

Vakabula ika levu.

“The big fish got away.”

A major opportunity was within reach but was ultimately lost.

Gunu wai ni bele.

“Made to drink the boiled juice of the bele.”

Describes someone who has been humbled, humiliated, or firmly reprimanded.

Sa suru na belo.

“The heron has sneezed.”

A sign that the day's allotted work has finally been completed.

Bilo cicila.

“He is like a leaky cup.”

Describes a person who cannot be trusted or relied upon.

Tamata vakaicaqe.

“He is someone capable of kicking.”

Describes a person of real influence, wealth, or power in the community.

Kena na isamu ni dawa.

“He was struck by the very projectile used to bring down the lychee.”

A person who suffers harm because of the actions of someone else.

Na nomu dodomo sa vaka e dua na tiaina dreu.

“Your love is like a ripe banana.”

A warning that a sudden, intense young romance may be sweet now but will not last.

Vakaseuta na bure ni kadi.

“Like scratching into an ant's nest.”

Describes stirring up unnecessary trouble or conflict.

Tabu rogoca na kere ni cakau.

“He does not listen to the sound of the waves crashing on the reef.”

Describes someone who ignores wise counsel and good advice.

Lesu tale na koli i na nona lua.

“The dog returns to its own vomit.”

Describes someone who goes back to something they had previously and rightly rejected.

Niu ga kei madrai.

“It is only a matter of coconuts and bread.”

Said when two things are essentially equal in value, with no real difference between them.

Kunekune dredre na yaloka ni dilio.

“It is hard to find the egg of the golden plover.”

Describes something rare, such as true integrity, or an event that happens unexpectedly.

Vunibaka ga sa tevoro.

“The great banyan tree is the devil himself.”

A warning that someone or something impressive in appearance may still be dangerous underneath.

Maca na wai ka boko na buka.

“There is no more water, and the fire has gone out.”

Describes a household or situation left with absolutely nothing remaining.

Dui mate ga ena nona ucu ni vatu.

“Each person is ready to die defending the ground of his own home.”

Expresses the deep attachment Fijians hold for their land and their willingness to defend it.

Sa dui cagi ni toba.

“Each bay has its own different wind.”

A person's authority and standing belong to their own home ground and do not automatically carry over elsewhere.

Me ra leuta mada na malamala mai na matadra.

“Please first remove the beam that is in your own eye.”

A rebuke against hypocrisy — criticizing small faults in others while ignoring greater faults in oneself.

Tu na inima, ka luvu na waqa.

“The bailer was right there, yet the canoe still sank.”

A solution was available all along, but no one thought to use it in time.

E sega ni rogo mai na toa mai na nomu koro.

“The fowl crying out from your own village cannot be heard here.”

A person's status and importance at home do not automatically carry weight in another territory.

E tubua na sala ki na nona koro.

“The path to his village has grown over with weeds.”

Describes someone who has drifted away from home and lost touch with their own community.

Kemu isau, sa vuni tu.

“Your reward still remains hidden away.”

A reminder that recognition or reward for hard work will come, even if it is not seen right away.

Sa viritaki na kena vatu.

“A stone has already been thrown at it.”

Describes a matter that has already been firmly decided or rejected.

Veivunauci vaka i Ra kasala.

“He gives advice the way the kasala fish does.”

Describes someone skilled at giving good counsel to others yet unable to follow it themselves.

Sa suasua na yavamu.

“Your legs are still wet from the water.”

A reminder to a newcomer that they should not yet speak with the confidence of someone long established.

Yavita dole na mataisau.

“Do not club the carpenter before the work is even finished.”

A warning against judging a piece of work, or a person, before it is truly complete.

Mate na toa, kena isau na bici.

“The chicken died, yet all that was given back was a single bici.”

Describes an exchange or trade that is deeply unequal in value.

Rekirekitaki waqa vou.

“As thrilled as someone with a brand-new boat.”

Describes excitement over something new that is likely to fade once the novelty wears off.

Katakata vakurokava.

“He heats up quickly and cools down just as fast, like a tin pot.”

Describes a person whose enthusiasm, or temper, rises fast and fades just as quickly.

Vosa mada o iko, e rovu e liu na batimu.

“Please, go ahead and speak, since your teeth sprouted before mine.”

A respectful, good-natured way of yielding the floor to someone older.

Sa dreu na kena leba.

“The leba fruit has ripened right on time.”

Said when everything is proceeding well and exactly as it should.