Na iSevu Sarau: The Function of Ritual in a Fijian Village

Authors

Spencer Walsh, Brigham Young University
Dr. Julie Hartley, Brigham Young University

Keywords

isevu sarau, ritual, Fijian hierarchy, social solidarity, Fijian village

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Anthropology

Abstract

Ceremonial exchange plays a significant role in Fijian ritual and can be viewed as an activity that seeks to promote the health and prosperity of the community. An example of this is the annual ritual of the isevu sarau, or the offering of the first fruits of the tuberous sarau (plant similar to the yam). This ceremony takes place around the beginning of May each year throughout the Yasawa island group of Fiji when the sarau crop reaches maturity. I observed this ritual while conducting research at the village of Tamusua located on the southernmost end of Yasawa Island.

Recommended Citation

Walsh, Spencer and Hartley, Dr. Julie (2013) "Na iSevu Sarau: The Function of Ritual in a Fijian Village," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 90.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/90