A performance combining dance, chant and story

Fijian Meke Quiz: Dance, Chant and Storytelling in Fiji

This Fijian meke quiz joins a village performance where song, rhythm and movement tell old stories. Play 10 interactive questions on what a meke is, the lali slit drum, men's spear dances, women's fan dances, seated dances, masi bark cloth and coconut fiber costumes, the yaqona ceremony that often comes first, and how stories pass between generations.

Start Fijian Meke Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Country
Which country is the meke from?
Meaning
What is a meke?
Drum
Which slit drum is beaten during a meke?
Spear
Which kind of meke do men perform with spears or clubs?
Fan
What do women often hold in their dances?
Seated
How are some meke performed?
Cloth
What is masi?
Drink
Which ceremonial drink is often served first?
Stories
What do meke stories often tell?
Greeting
What is the common Fijian greeting?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Which country is the meke from?
Answer: Fiji
Fiji has more than 300 islands.
Q2: What is a meke?
Answer: A performance combining dance, chant and story
It is often staged at ceremonies.
Q3: Which slit drum is beaten during a meke?
Answer: Lali
It is carved from a log.
Q4: Which kind of meke do men perform with spears or clubs?
Answer: A war dance
It shows strength and bravery.
Q5: What do women often hold in their dances?
Answer: Fans
Movements are graceful.
Q6: How are some meke performed?
Answer: While seated
Arms and hands carry the story.
Q7: What is masi?
Answer: Bark cloth made from mulberry
It is printed with patterns.
Q8: Which ceremonial drink is often served first?
Answer: Yaqona, or kava
It is made from a pepper plant root.
Q9: What do meke stories often tell?
Answer: Legends and history
They keep memory alive.
Q10: What is the common Fijian greeting?
Answer: Bula
It wishes life and health.

Dance, Chant and Story in Fiji

A meke is a traditional Fijian performance that weaves together dance, chant and story. Meke are staged at ceremonies, weddings and welcomes, and each one tells a legend, a piece of history or an event in the life of a village. They help pass memory from one generation to the next.

Rhythm comes from the lali, a slit drum carved from a log, along with clapping and bamboo. Men perform war dances with spears or clubs to show strength, while women dance with fans in graceful movements. Some meke are performed seated, with the story carried by arms, hands and voices.

Dancers wear masi, bark cloth made from paper mulberry and printed with patterns, along with garlands and coconut fiber. A meke often follows a yaqona ceremony, where kava made from a pepper plant root is shared. Visitors are welcomed with the greeting bula.

What This Quiz Teaches

Culture fans will enjoy these questions.

What a meke is
Which instruments are used
How men and women dance
What dancers wear
What ceremonies come first

Did You Know?

Firewalking comes from Beqa island.
Villages expect modest dress.
The sevusevu is a gift of kava.
Rugby is Fiji's top sport.
Coconut oil makes skin shine in dances.