FUN FIJI FACTS 16

Lali drums being played to call the village to Sunday services.

Fijian Drums

Fijian drums play an important part in the islands cultural traditions.  Not only are they used in music, but also as a form of communication.  The lali, the largest of the drums, was used to announce births, deaths, wars and victories.  Each event had its own distinct rhythmic pattern.  Today it is mainly used as a means to call people together.  The lali are made from the hollowed-out logs of native hardwood trees.  These logs are then shaped and crosspieces placed within the log near either end to produce a deep resonance, which can be heard for miles away.  The lali are beaten with sticks called i uaua which are made from softer wood to avoid damaging the drum.

The lali ni meke, a smaller version of the lali, can be easily carried to ceremonial occasions and is often used to accompany chanting and dances.

 Mentioned in my fun facts about the meke, the derua are bamboo stamping tubes of varying lengths that are beaten on the ground or on mats.  Sometimes cobo, a stylized form of clapping, is used to accompany the derua in providing the rhythmic basis of traditional Fijian music.

The Fijian word of the day is:

English     Fijian (pronunciation)

come           lako mai (lah-koh my)