FRU takes a historic step in singing the National Anthem in the I Taukei language

The Fiji Rugby Union (FRU) interim Administrator Simione Valenitabua announced that the FRU Trust, through its Interim Board of Trustees, has approved the request by the players and management of the FIJI Water Flying Fijians to sing the National Anthem in the i-taukei language. This resolution comes after receiving the blessings of the Prime Minister of Fiji.
 
Honorable Sitiveni Rabuka confirmed to the Flying Fijians that the Vosa Vakaviti version, entitled “Meda Dau Doka,” embodies the spirit and deep meaning of the English version, “Blessing Grant.” The Fijian rendition will now precede the English version, marking the first time in the history of Fiji Rugby that the Fijian version will be sung as part of the National Anthem prior to the kick-off of an international test.
 
FIJI Water Flying Fijians Captain Waisea Nayacalevu said “The team as a whole came up with the idea of singing the national anthem in i-taukei version which also reflects back to our goal of reconnecting to who we are and where we have come from.
 
Nayacalevu said “My respect to all the ethnic and to the multicultural country we are, the initial objective of the group is to reconnect back to our roots and our identity and singing the anthem in I Taukei is part of that reconnection.
 
The FIJI Water Flying Fijians players and management have been practicing the national anthem since they settled in Pornic, France earlier this week.
 
He further added that the players have welcomed it with open arms and are excited to sing it for the first time against France on Sunday.
 
Head Coach Simon Raiwalui said “It’s a player-driven idea and is something that takes the players back to their roots of who they are and where they came from.”
 
The FIJI Water Flying Fijians will sing the i-taukei version followed by the English version of the national anthem in all the matches from now onwards.
 
 
Brief about the i-taukei version of the National Anthem
The adoption of the i-taukei version of the National Anthem serves to honour the rich cultural heritage of Fiji and its connection to the sport of Rugby. This historical decision reflects the pride and unity of the nation and stands as a symbol of respect for the Fijian language, reinforcing the significance of Fiji’s indigenous identity on the global stage.
Here are the Fijian lyrics to the Fiji national anthem:
 
I
Meda dau doka ka vinakata na vanua
E ra sa dau tiko kina na savasava
Rawa tu na gauna ni sautu na veilomani
Biu na i tovo tawa savasava
 
Chorus:
Me bula ga ko Viti ka me toro ga ki liu
Me ra turaga vinaka ko ira na i liuliu
Me ra liutaki na tamata e na veika vinaka
Me oti kina na i tovo ca
 
II
Bale ga vei kemuni na cauravou e Viti
Ni yavala me savasava na vanua
Ni kakua ni vosota na dukadukali
Ka me da sa qai biuta vakadua
 
Chorus