Ratuva challenges colonial origins of ‘Fijian’ identity

The term "Fijian" is a colonial construct that does not carry the same cultural and historical weight as the Indigenous term "iTaukei," according to Professor Steven Ratuva. During his submission to the Constitutional Review Commission, Ratuva emphasized that these two terms represent fundamentally different concepts of identity.

Responding to a question about identity from CRC member Ami Kholi, Ratuva argued that "iTaukei" stems from Indigenous self-identification and is imbued with "mana" and a profound connection to the land. In contrast, he stated, the word "Fijian" emerged from a European interpretation of the Tongan pronunciation "Fisi," evolving from the islands' original name, Viti, and was formalized during the colonial era.

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I think you were just about to speak about identity, and we got cut short there; we would be grateful if you could address us on that.

Ratuva cautioned the commission against embedding identity labels in the Constitution, warning of potential long-term political and social repercussions. He asserted that ethnic communities should retain the right to define themselves rather than having identities imposed upon them, highlighting that labels can be both degrading and empowering.

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The word taukei is a word which the taukei used to define themselves. When we talk to each other, it’s full of mana. It’s full of the connection with the land. Now the word ‘Fijian’ doesn’t do that.