On Sunday May 2nd there was a strong wind and large swell. Die-hards decided to go diving within the reef. Most of us opted to go for a Sunday mass in the nearby village. Fish tooks us there on a boat. The church was methodist denomination. Maggie showed us the way and advised us customs and proper behaviour (do not show knees-put sarong on; do not wear hat; do not wear anything on your shoulders). In the church Maggie placed us on the left side. Later I noticed that with exception from male guests from Matava left side of the nave was exclusively for women. Children had their "corner" - small pews right from the priest. On the right side - mostly men were sitting - with few ladies.
The most impressive was singing in Fijian. By third song we were singing with the villagers too. Apart from wonderful singing the next most impressive sight was a man walking around the church with a large cane. I never saw such a large cane. I also have not expected to see a cane in the church. So far I only read about canes frustrating teachers used long long time ago in schools. I also thought canes are part of literature - like Oliver Twist. So I was surprised when I saw such a big cane in a church. The man was poking kids with a cane. Sometime mid mass he also separated a small kid from his mum although - in my opinion the kid behaved well. Actually all kids behaved well. I do not like to take photos during the worship but above is the photo of a man with a cane.
The sermon was also memorable. It was in Fijian and I could not not understand anything but it after listening to it I was scared. The priest was shouting and gesticulating with a hand. He looked to me as a very angry man. I asked Maggie why was a priest shouting. Maggie's response was the priest was angry with village men having too much kava a night before. Thanks Maggie. Makes sense. Photos of village church and people after Sunday mass http://picasaweb.google.nl/gordie26/KadavuSundayMass?feat=directlink
The most impressive was singing in Fijian. By third song we were singing with the villagers too. Apart from wonderful singing the next most impressive sight was a man walking around the church with a large cane. I never saw such a large cane. I also have not expected to see a cane in the church. So far I only read about canes frustrating teachers used long long time ago in schools. I also thought canes are part of literature - like Oliver Twist. So I was surprised when I saw such a big cane in a church. The man was poking kids with a cane. Sometime mid mass he also separated a small kid from his mum although - in my opinion the kid behaved well. Actually all kids behaved well. I do not like to take photos during the worship but above is the photo of a man with a cane.
The sermon was also memorable. It was in Fijian and I could not not understand anything but it after listening to it I was scared. The priest was shouting and gesticulating with a hand. He looked to me as a very angry man. I asked Maggie why was a priest shouting. Maggie's response was the priest was angry with village men having too much kava a night before. Thanks Maggie. Makes sense. Photos of village church and people after Sunday mass http://picasaweb.google.nl/gordie26/KadavuSundayMass?feat=directlink
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