By Rowena ‘Weng’ Dato Cuanico

The following articles are by two Columban lay missionaries who have lived in each other’s country. Rowena is a Filipino lay missionary in Fiji. Paulo was a Fijian lay missionary in the Philippines. Read on.

I love to dance. So, when I arrived in Fiji in October 2000 as a Columban lay missionary, I became fascinated with the meke, a traditional Fijian dance that tells the stories of ancient legends.

To me, ethnic Fijians are natural singers and dancers, and I admire the way they move with grace and gentleness. After my arrival, I had soon promised myself, Au via meke! (I want to dance the meke!)

My chance to dance

The annual gathering of the Columban Companions in Mission, hosted by Holy Family parish of Labas in October 2001, proved to be my perfect opportunity.

I had told the principal choreographer and group leader, Aunt Clara – in Fiji you often call someone older than yourself ‘Aunt’ or ‘Uncle,’ like ‘Ate’ and ‘Kuya’ in the Philippines – that I wished to dance themeke. I had some reservations because I thought that I couldn’t be as graceful as the other dancers. Perhaps I would spoil the performance! But the dancers were so encouraging to me, it kept me inspired.

Practice started two weeks before the gathering, but since it was the busiest week of the year in our apostolate to the Indian-Fijians, there was simply no time to join their nightly practices.

Getting to know the
Meke

Finally, three days before the Columban Companions’ gathering, I was able to join the practice. Friendly faces greeted our arrival, and I was welcomed warmly and sincerely by the women who were dancing as well as by the choir practicing a song composed especially for the occasion. Since I am primarily involved in the Indian apostolate, it was my first time to be alone with a purely indigenous Fijian group. But I did not feel like a stranger because I knew them and they knew me.

I had planned to sit and watch them dance, but they told me to stand and join them. They said the best way to learn the meke was to do it.

The singing and symbolism were pure Fijian. Since I had been trained in Indo-Fijian culture, I felt helpless. However, the dancers, particularly Aunt Una, La Maria and Asilika, were always willing to help me. Seleka was creative in translating Fijian words and dance steps into English for me. She would tell me, ‘Fly, Weng…fish, Weng…pull, Weng, carry it, Weng.’ These words seemed inappropriate in the dance sequence, but it worked. I enjoyed every minute of the practice because everyone was encouraging and helpful.

As the participants arrived from Suva, Ba, Lautoka and other places on the first day of the gathering, I was in the Holy Family Primary School canteen practicing the meke with Aunt Maria.

Preparing for the performance

On Saturday, I was becoming more afraid. I could not recall any of the steps! We were going to dance before the soli (offering). So right after lunch, we gathered in the primary school to get ready. I felt like a bride being dressed for her wedding.

I changed into a red top and a white sulu (a wraparound skirt) that Asilika lent me. Then Aunt Una wrapped the masi (bark cloth), with its carefully made pleats, around my waist. She then put the white salu-salu (a garland made of paper) she had made for me around my neck and hands.

My excitement, tempered with nervousness, was showing. I hoped we could start soon and get this over with. We were ready for my finishing touches: a garland of green leaves wrapped around my waist and flowers adorning my head.

As Aunt Clara put the teki-teki (flowers) on my head, I felt I was part of the ritual. Since Aunt Clara had to touch my head, which is taboo in Fijian culture, she had to first excuse herself by saying ‘tilou.’ I gave her permission to touch my head, and even then she only touched my hair. Oil was applied to my hair so the flowers made from kula (thread) would stick. Aunt Clara beautifully and carefully arranged the teki-teki.

Greatest performance of my life

The people had already gathered and were waiting for us and the choir to start. When my friends saw me, I could see their surprise and excitement. As we got into position, I could hear Aunt Seleka praying, entrusting our dance to the Almighty. Aunt Clara’s last words to me before we made our entrance were, ‘Relax and enjoy it, Weng.’

I could hear the audience laugh whenever I couldn’t follow the steps. But the mistakes did not matter, the applause and the laughter did, and that’s what kept me going. Afterward, the Columban Fathers, Companions and my fellow Filipino lay missionaries offered their thanks, support and admiration (perhaps!).

During the third dance sequence, I could feel my adrenaline flow. I was following the steps better than before. I became less self-conscious and concerned if I had taken the right step or not. I was dancing with my heart and enjoying it.

Dancing my way to their culture

As I look back on this remarkable experience, I realized that not only did I dance the meke, but journeyed into a unique and amazing culture.

The meke is a ritual, with the lyrics of the songs, that showed our appreciation to those who came to join us in celebration. We were thanking the Columbans for the gifts of mission, faith and love. We were remembering people who had served the Holy Family parish and the people of Labasa. We were praising God for bringing us together as a family united in faith.

I thank God for allowing me to experience the meke, for it was a modest step towards learning the culture of indigenous Fijians. For by discovering the uniqueness of their culture, I can understand them better and together we can celebrate this wonderful gift. I feel that this is a challenge to me as a Columban lay missionary.

I will always remember with joy and gratitude in my heart the first time I danced the meke because it was an amazing experience, because of the wonderful people who cared for me, and because of the unique culture I experienced. I thank God for all of these gifts.