It’s a New Year’s Day Tradition

If you happen to find yourself in a village, or in any place really, on New Year’s Day.
Watch out for flying water!

In Fiji, throwing water on someone is a New Year’s Day tradition. It could be from buckets or bottles or cups; any container will do. If there is a stream or river nearby then there is a chance you could end up swimming.

Friends, relatives and strangers alike are all fair game to a greater or lesser degree. And while it can be random it is also tradition.  

In a village where family members are involved, usually, one relative singles out another. They will make sure, one way or another, that their target is thoroughly soaked. 

They can even empty buckets of water on sleeping people, not only shocking them but also wetting their bedding. When done to this level of ‘fun’ it is also customary for the offender to present their victims with new mats and/orsulus, in part of the tradition called vakamamaca, ensuring that no ill feelings will persist over the incident.

Variations on the theme involve flour and mud, but water is the main ingredient. As a visitor you are unlikely to come in for any heavy treatment, nonetheless, you have been warned!