We were invited to and attended Mereani Delaitubuna's 21st birthday. Twenty-first birthdays are a big deal here in Fiji. Even poor families find a way to do a big celebration. Mereani's was held in a restaurant downtown. She had invited her entire family. There were between 35-50 people in attendance.
There is always what mother calls a program with Fijian occasions. There was an opening song, and prayer. Her brother-in-law was the emcee; a relative from her mother's side and one from her father's spoke, a member of the bishopbric spoke, Scott was asked to speak for the institute, her mother talked, and then Mereani spoke. All of the talks were in Fijian except Scott's talk and part of Mereani's.
It is interesting that Mereani's mother gave her a big wooden key. When I asked why, Mereani explained that it is a symbol that she is grown and can now go out and do whatever she choses to do. Interesting.
After the program Scott gave the prayer on the food, we ate and I really loved the miji (me chi). The cake was in the form of an open book with a scripture from Jeremiah on it. We left as we had a baptism we needed to attend. Everyone else stayed to talk, or to dance.
I am sure that Mereani's mother had saved all year to afford this celebration.
Wame was baptised today. He is the grand nephew of President Mica Seru. The YSAs sang.
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