Cibi
Encyclopedia
The Cibi is a Fiji
an meke
of Bauan origin and is a war dance, generally performed before battle or after battle, it came to prominence when it was performed by the Fiji national rugby union team
before each match.
In 1939 when Fiji prepared for its first-ever tour of New Zealand
, the captain, Ratu Sir George Cakobau
, thought his team should have a war dance to match the All Blacks' haka
. His team adopted the cibi and went on to become the only team to remain unbeaten on a full tour to New Zealand.
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
an meke
Meke
Meke is a broad term in the Fijian language, primarily referring to all traditional style of dance. It is a cognate of the words "maka" and "mele" . It is typically performed during celebrations and festivals...
of Bauan origin and is a war dance, generally performed before battle or after battle, it came to prominence when it was performed by the Fiji national rugby union team
Fiji national rugby union team
The Fiji national rugby union team is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance formerly along with Samoa and Tonga. In 2009, Samoa announced their departure from the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, leaving just Fiji and Tonga. Fiji are ranked sixteenth in the world by the IRB as of 26...
before each match.
Origins
The origins of the cibi date back to the country's warring times with their Pacific neighbours and inter tribal warfare. On their return home the warriors heralded their victory by displaying flags - one for every enemy slain. They were met by the women who would sing songs with accompanying gestures. The cibi was meant for open battle to inspire the troops, but it was sung with more vigour when the victorious army returned home to celebrate.In 1939 when Fiji prepared for its first-ever tour of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, the captain, Ratu Sir George Cakobau
George Cakobau
Ratu Sir George Kadavulevu Cakobau, GCMG, GCVO, OBE was Governor General of Fiji from 1973 to 1983. A great-grandson of Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau, the King of Bau who had unified all the tribes of Fiji under his reign in the mid-1800s and subsequently ceded the islands to the United Kingdom in...
, thought his team should have a war dance to match the All Blacks' haka
Haka of the All Blacks
The Haka is a traditional Maori war dance from New Zealand. There are thousands of Haka that are performed by various tribes and cultural groups throughout New Zealand. The best known Haka of them all is called "Ka Mate". It has been performed by countless New Zealand teams both locally and...
. His team adopted the cibi and went on to become the only team to remain unbeaten on a full tour to New Zealand.
The Cibi
| Fijian | English |
Ai tei vovo, tei vovo E ya, e ya, e ya, e ya; Tei vovo, tei vovo E ya, e ya, e ya, e ya Rai tu mai, rai tu mai Oi au a virviri kemu bai Rai tu mai, rai ti mai Oi au a virviri kemu bai Toa yalewa, toa yalewa Veico, veico, veico Au tabu moce koi au Au moce ga ki domo ni biau E luvu koto ki ra nomu waqa O kaya beka au sa luvu sara Nomu bai e wawa mere Au tokia ga ka tasere |
Make ready, make ready, Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,(spoken like warning in a cry before war) Make ready, make ready Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Look here, look here, I build a war fence for you, Look here, look here, I build a war fence for you A rooster and a hen, They attack, attack, attack It is forbidden for me to slumber Except to the sound of breaking waves Your ship is sunk below, Don't think I'm drowned too. Your defence is just waiting To crumble when I pick it |
See also
- Haka of the All BlacksHaka of the All BlacksThe Haka is a traditional Maori war dance from New Zealand. There are thousands of Haka that are performed by various tribes and cultural groups throughout New Zealand. The best known Haka of them all is called "Ka Mate". It has been performed by countless New Zealand teams both locally and...
- KailaoKailaoThe Kailao is a Wallisian war dance imported to Tonga from nearby 'Uvea .-History:It is usually performed at public and private ceremonies. The men, bearing stylized clubs , dance in a fierce manner that emulates fighting, all to the accompaniment of a beaten slit drum or a tin box, which sets the...
- Siva tauSiva tauThe Manu Siva Tau is a Samoan war dance, performed by the Samoa's sporting teams before each match.The national rugby union team used to perform the traditional 'Ma'ulu'ulu Moa' on tour...
- Sipi Tau