What makes or molds the modern Fijian man? Is he so powerful and privileged that he can’t be held to account?
Jope Tarai, a researcher at the University of the South Pacific, answers these questions through a thought-provoking Tedx Suva talk called, “Re-Thinking the Fijian Man.”
He also asks:
Why is there an obession with what women and girls do, as if they are always doing something wrong? Such as, why is she wearing that? Or, where is she going – as if she is always at the wrong place at the wrong time.
I can fully relate to Jope’s views and agree with his opinions. It is my hope that dialogues like Jope’s will assist us in questioning behaviours that are embedded into our own respective cultures and help us re-think what we accept in society as norm.
Video credit: Tedx Suva
Bianca Zellman
This is a very fascinating topic! I was engaged once to a Fijian man but it unfortunately didn’t work out 🙁 I discovered there were some double standards that I wasn’t use to being a Kiwi girl. The video is very honest coming from another Fijian man, anyways thanks for sharing xox.
Beyond the Pacific
Hi Bianca, I’m sorry your engagement didn’t work out, I hope it was for the best. Like anywhere in the world, not all Fijian men are the same but I also hope that Jope’s views will make people think about what is embedded in one’s culture.
Carla
Hi Miriam, you have a very nice blog!
Beyond the Pacific
Thanks Carla 🙂
akuila yabaki
Nothing unique here. This is a man in every culture i know. Really just a testimony of a mans experience of his father which is a bit disingenuous to all Fijian men.
Beyond the Pacific
I totally agree with you Akuila, this is certainly Jope Tarai’s experience that he is sharing and his message does not speak of all Fijian men. However, I have personally experienced some of the points he mentioned when I was growing up such as, “why are you wearing that?”, “where are you going?”, “who was that you were talking to?”, etc… I was bombarded with these as if I was always up to no good. My 4 brothers never got the same frustrating endless questioning. Looking back, it’s not the questions that annoyed me, it was the way it was delivered in a harsh and demeaning tone. Vinaka, Miri.