5 hours Ago By Fiji Sun News
Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) chairperson, Ratu Viliame Seruvakula, has raised alarm over the erosion of Fiji’s indigenous languages and culture, stressing the urgent need for action to preserve them. Ratu Viliame said the two-day GCC meet that concluded on Thursday raised concerns on the subject. Ratu Viliame said language was not just a means of communication—but a critical part of a community’s identity.
He said members of the GCC have expressed deep concern that the loss of language could lead to the loss of cultural identity, with far-reaching implications for Fiji’s future. “I remember there were great concerns about our corroding language,” Ratu Viliame said. He said discussions pointed to a number of social issues, particularly the breakdown of family guidance, as key factors contributing to the weakening of language transmission.
“A lot of it comes from the social issues that we face, and to some degree, it’s about parenthood,” he explained. “When we neglect our children, when they are not guided at home, they leave the house, meet other kids, and adopt new ideas—many of which are not in line with our cultural values.” He went on to highlight the negative impact of unchecked exposure to social media, which often promotes foreign cultures and languages at the expense of local traditions.
“If we don’t find ways to control and guide their exposure, we risk losing what makes us unique,” Ratu Viliame warned. Members of the Great Council of Chiefs. PHOTO: Ronald Kumar In response to this growing concern, the GCC has taken proactive steps to address the issue.
He revealed that education and culture subcommittees have held meetings with key stakeholders, including chiefs, to find viable solutions. One of the most significant recommendations from these discussions is the reintroduction of the Fijian language as a compulsory subject in primary schools across the country. “We need to start from the next generation and guide them through,” he said.
“By reintroducing Fijian as a core part of the primary school curriculum, we ensure that children not only learn the language but also understand the cultural values that come with it.” Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.
com.fj.
