Bula – When a Word is more than a Word

Strictly speaking, in a historical sense, if we are talking about the word Bula, it needs to be remembered that Bula is just one form of greeting in one dialect amongst three hundred or so.

This is what The Fijian Dictionary, compiled by A Capell has to say:

1 To live; to recover from an illness; to escape death (as a fish from a net); as an adjective: alive, sound in health either of body or mind; as a noun: Life.

You have to admit that according to that definition Bula is a great word to capture and represent the very essence of the spirit of Fiji. A spirit that emphasizes life and the passionate enjoyment of it. A zestful and energetic greeting even when spoken in a whisper.

It conveys, as the French express it in the expression Joie de Vivre – the joy of living. The very spirit that enables the utterer to stop and say it with conviction. To say it and imply that they are now able to take the time to follow up with another question or action, like: Where are you from? How are you doing? Do you need any help? How may I help you? Let me help you.

There is an ephemeral aspect to its utterance. A moment suspended in time as you choose to take the opportunity to engage or not to engage. And either way is okay – a simple Bula in reply is sufficient to return the conveyance of respect and understanding of the offer and if you wish to take them up on it.

Whatever you do remember when someone says Bula to listen closely – it is not just hello, it is an invitation to truly live, uttered by some of the most friendly people in the world; who once had a reputation as one of the fiercest!