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The main tourist centres of Nadi, the Coral Coast and Suva have lots of handicraft shops. Lautoka and Savusavu are quieter and the salespeople are less pushy. You can also buy interesting handicrafts direct from villages, particularly woven goods and carvings.
Traditional artefacts such as war clubs and cannibal forks are popular souvenirs. So too are yaqona bowls, woven pandanus mats, shell buttons, sandalwood or coconut soap, and tapa cloth in the form of wall hangings, covered books and postcards. Don’t buy products derived from endangered species such as turtle and avoid the temptation to buy shells. Remember to declare anything made from animal or plant material to Quarantine upon your return. It might need treatment.
Clothing shops in Suva and Nadi have bula shirts and fashion by local designers. There are also vibrant saris and Indian jewellery. Fijian ceramic jewellery is sold in the Government Crafts Centre in Suva
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Potty for pottery Fiji’s best-known potters are Diana Tugea of Nakabuta, in the Sigatoka Valley, and Taraivini Wati of Nasilai, on the Rewa River near Nausori. The pottery-making tradition in these villages has been handed down through the centuries. Different areas have different techniques and styles. Both villages receive visitors.
Tugea’s clay pots are smooth with a wide belly, open neck and outward curving lip. Used for cooking, the pots are filled with food wrapped in banana or taro leaves.
Wati’s pots are highly decorative. This style was traditionally used for water storage and was once reserved for use by high chiefs only.
Carving culture Traditional wood-carving skills have been kept alive by the tourist trade, which provides a market for war clubs, spears and cannibal forks. Tanoa, or yaqona drinking bowls, are still part of everyday life. Religious objects, such as yaqona vessels, were traditionally made of vesi, considered a sacred timber. Choose items without borer holes or obvious insect damage; as with all wooden items you’ll have to declare them to Quarantine when you return home. They might need treatment.
Basket cases Most indigenous Fijian homes use woven voivoi or pandanus-leaf mats for floor coverings, dining mats and as finer sleeping mats.
Weaving is the hereditary role of the women of certain tribes. The pandanus leaves are cut and laid outdoors to cure, then split into strips of about 1cm to 2cm. Mat borders are now decorated in brightly coloured wools instead of parrot feathers. Be aware that pandanus products will have to be inspected by Quarantine and may need treatment or permits that will cost you money.
Crafty designs Masi, also known as malo or tapa, is bark cloth with black and rust-coloured printed designs. Masi was worn as a loincloth by men during initiation rituals, during renaming ceremonies following killings, and as an adornment in dance, festivity and war. Intricately painted designs are done by hand or stencil and often carry symbolic meaning.
Most Fijian masi is made on the island of Vatulele, on Namuk and Moce in the southern Lau Group, and on Taveuni. Masi is used for postcards, wall hangings and other decorative items.
Bark items must be declared to Quarantine when you return to Australia and may need to be treated.
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When you’re shopping, it’s important to know what you can and can’t bring back to Australia. Common items from Fiji not allowed into Australia include:
• Fresh fruit and vegetables, including raw yams and taro
• Uncanned meat products – for example pork
• Seeds and items containing seeds
• Black coral items, including jewellery
• Cooked breadfruit unless commercially prepared
• Sweets containing milk products – for example Indian milk sweets
• Whole fish.
Some of these items are allowed in if accompanied by an import permit and/or treated by Quarantine (which will cost you money). Talk to Quarantine prior to departure about obtaining an import permit.
For more information about what you can’t bring back to Australia visit www.aqis.gov.au/travelbug
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