Basics - Rough Guide to Fiji - page 48

munity issues, the other music and chat. For Fijian music try Bula FM (FM102.4 in Nadi) -
all stations have varying FM frequencies depending on location. The independent Commu-
nications Fiji Limited ( www.cfl.com.fj ) broadcasts five mostly music stations, two Fiji-
Hindi, one Fijian and the popular English music and gossip stations - FM96 and Legend FM
(FM106.8).
Television
Fiji has three free-to-air television channels. Fiji One's programming is almost exclusively
in English, with only a few locally produced shows, the rest being sourced from the US, UK
and New Zealand. The one-hour Fiji News is shown daily at 6pm, with mostly local content
and a smattering of international headlines. Mai Television is sports orientated, and FBC TV
has attempted to raise the standard of local news broadcasting.
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FESTIVALS
Ethnic Fijians tend to express their culture in day-to-day life rather than through spe-
cific festivals. By contrast, Fiji-Indians celebrate most events with gusto, whether it's a
local wedding, religious festival or one of the many fascinating firewalking ceremonies
held around the country. The country enjoys twelve public holidays; the most likely of
these to feature traditional dance and other public displays are Ratu Lala Sukuna Day
on May 30 and Fiji Day on October 10.
The main towns of Nadi, Lautoka and Suva each have a commercially driven week-long fest-
ival (see calendar ) with fairground rides, food stalls, parades, beauty-queen crowning and an
alternative Priscilla night when gays and transvestites take centre stage. The town festivals
held in Levuka and Savusavu are more culturally inclined.
Indian festivals are commonly celebrated in public and with great fanfare, with Diwali the
biggest and loudest for Hindus and Eid a serious affair for Muslims - towns with a large
Fiji-Indian population are naturally the best, especially Lautoka and Tavua on Vanua Levu or
Labasa on Vanua Levu. There are over forty Indian firewalking ceremonies held around the
country between April and September. These are fascinating and very spiritual experiences
- ask around at local temples to find out where one is being held. The two largest are listed
here.
JANUARY
Coconut Tree Climbing Competition 1 Jan. Held at Denarau Island, this zany event tests
the skills of Fiji's most daring personalities.