Our rich cultural blend: Steven Shivneshwar

Fiji's culture has often been described as a tapestry of indigenous iTaukei, Indian, European, Chinese, and other nationalities. The multicultural blend has created a unique communal and national identity. People of different ethnic groups get along well at workplaces, shops and markets, and in educational and recreational settings.

For this week's article, I have chosen to write about two youths of mixed ancestry. Steven Shivneshwar from Sigatoka is part iTaukei and part Fijian of Indian descent. Niko Rabuku from Suva is part iTaukei and part Rotuman. I felt it would be interesting to gain insights into the experiences of youths of mixed ancestry.

Cabinet at its meeting on June 30, 2010 approved the Fijian Affairs Decree 2010 replacing the word "Fijian" with the word "iTaukei" in all written laws, and all official documentation when referring to the original and native settlers of Fiji. All Fiji citizens are now called "Fijians".
There is no recent data on inter-racial marriages although the 2006 census noted that Fiji citizens who were not part of the two major ethnic groups made up 4.5 per cent of our population. While interracial marriages are not frowned upon, anecdotal evidence suggests that the number of such unions is still relatively small. In addition, many Fijians of mixed ancestry identify themselves with one of the two major ethic groups.
A nationwide survey conducted by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the Central, Western and Northern divisions in October 2015 noted that Fiji's youths lead fulsome social lives and are increasingly interacting across ethnic and religious lines. It is now common for young people of different ethnic groups and faiths to socialise together. One training retreat I was invited to had Muslim, Hindu and Christian teenagers working, learning, eating and being accommodated together.
The survey found that 90 per cent of youths speak more than one language. A large number 91 per cent had mobile phones. Seventy-two per cent had mobile phones with internet connections, 83 per cent had Facebook accounts and 38 per cent had Twitter accounts.
Both Steven Shivneshwar and Niko Rabuku said they had never faced discrimination of any kind on account of their mixed ancestry. Both saw their inter-racial background as a a positive point.
I had met Steven on a forest hike and we had both struggled to keep pace while the rest of the group literally ran through the forest like Olympic sprinters. A group of thoughtful Dokanaisuva youths seeing us stumbling like dazed zombies had sung hymns and that had made the walk bearable.
Steven, 19, who studied at Cuvu College is studying geography and land management at USP. His dad is of Indian descent and comes from Malaqereqere, Sigatoka. His mum whom he adores is of iTaukei and Chinese descent.
In a heartwarming Facebook post he wrote "mum s my bank where I deposit all my joy, hurts and worries".
Steven is proud of his heritage and says that when he speaks fluent Fiji Hindi, people are usually pleasantly surprised. Although he has iTaukei features, there are no raised eyebrows when he speaks it fluently.
Steven is concentrating on his studies and says that he has not thought about having a girlfriend at this point in his life. When he does, he will pray about it first. Given the advantages of a mixed ancestry, he joked that he might consider having a hybrid girlfriend.
In between studies, he volunteers for self-help causes. His parting words: "Fiji is doing very well in economic indicators and I'd like to make a contribution to enlarging the space on social and cultural indicators as they would also contribute to a high quality of life."