Music, dance and storytellingOceania
Meke
A traditional Fijian dance and song form performed by groups at celebrations.
Meke is a traditional style of dance from Fiji that combines movement with song. It is kept alive by communities across the islands as a way to mark festivals and gatherings. The art form involves coordinated group performances that reflect local stories and spiritual beliefs.
When is Meke kept?
Meke is kept during celebrations and festivals.
Meke is a traditional Fijian art form that blends song and dance into a single expressive practice. People keep this tradition alive during community celebrations and festivals. It serves as a vital link to cultural identity and spiritual heritage for those who perform it.
What meke is
Meke refers to a traditional style of dance in Fiji. It functions as both a musical concept and a type of performance. The term relates to similar words in neighboring cultures, such as me'e in Tonga and mē in Samoa. This shared linguistic root suggests deep historical connections across the Pacific region. The performance typically involves rhythmic movement accompanied by vocal chanting or singing.
Origins and history
Scholars have long studied the roots of meke. Friedrich Ratzel noted in 1896 that the dances were often viewed as gifts from the spirit world. According to this view, divine beings taught the songs and movements to select individuals. These performers claimed to receive inspiration directly from supernatural sources. This belief underscores the sacred nature of the art form within its original context.
How it is kept
Traditionally, meke performances are segregated by gender. Groups consist entirely of men or entirely of women. However, modern influences have introduced mixed-gender elements. For example, the male/female Tongan ma'ulu'ulu style influenced the development of the Fijian vakamalolo. Despite these changes, the core structure remains a group performance focused on coordination and rhythm. Communities continue to practice these dances during special occasions.
Poetic structure
The verbal component of meke follows specific poetic rules. Ratzel observed that Fijian poets aim for verses where each line ends with the same vowel sound. This creates a regular measure and musical quality. In practice, performers use poetic license to achieve this effect. They may abbreviate words, lengthen sounds, or omit articles to maintain the required rhythm and rhyme scheme.
How Meke is kept
Groups of men or women perform meke together. They move in coordination while singing or chanting. The performance happens during festivals and celebrations. Mixed-gender groups also exist due to outside influences. The dancers follow rhythmic patterns passed down through generations.
When and where
It is performed during celebrations and festivals. There is no fixed calendar date mentioned in the sources.
It originates in Fiji. Related forms exist in Tonga and Samoa, but the text focuses on the Fijian tradition.
What Meke means
The tradition holds spiritual significance. Performers believe they receive inspiration from the spirit world. Divine beings teach the songs and dances. This connection to the supernatural gives the art form its sacred value and authority within the community.
Questions people ask about Meke
When is Meke kept?
Meke is kept during celebrations and festivals.
What is meke?
Meke is a traditional Fijian art form that combines song and dance. It is performed by groups during celebrations and festivals. The practice links physical movement with poetic chanting.
Where does meke come from?
Meke originates in Fiji. It shares linguistic roots with similar traditions in Tonga and Samoa. The Fijian version has developed its own distinct styles over time.
Who performs meke?
Traditionally, meke is performed by all-male or all-female groups. Modern variations include mixed-gender performances. The dances require coordination among group members.
Is meke just dancing?
No, meke includes both dance and song. The verbal part follows strict poetic rules. Verses often end with the same vowel sound to create rhythm.
See also
RamlilaOpen-air community plays staged across autumn nights, recounting the journey of Rama.
DiwaliA five-day festival of lights celebrated across India and its diaspora to mark the victory of light over darkness.
HoliA spring festival of colours and bonfires that marks the end of winter and the triumph of good over evil.
Raksha BandhanA Hindu festival where sisters tie a protective thread on their brothers' wrists to honour their bond.Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Meke", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryParampara rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.
More from Fiji
All the traditions of Fiji
🇮🇳 Varanasi, India and 5 moreRamlilaरामलीला
Open-air community plays staged across autumn nights, recounting the journey of Rama.Performance
🇮🇳 India and 3 moreBhajanभजनम् (bhajanam)
Devotional songs of South Asia, sung alone or together with drums and cymbalsPerformance
🇮🇳 India and 2 moreKoothu
Tamil street theatre with dance, music and epic stories, staged at temple festivals.Performance
🇮🇳 Ayodhya, India and 7 moreDiwaliदीपावली (Dīpāvalī)
A five-day festival of lights celebrated across India and its diaspora to mark the victory of light over darkness.Festival · Feasts and festival meals
The same idea elsewhere
All of this kind
🇹🇷 Kayseri, Turkey and 4 moreHalay
A traditional line and circle folk dance kept across Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran, and Syria.Performance
🇧🇷 BrazilBaião
A syncopated folk rhythm and partnered dance from northeastern BrazilPerformance
🇺🇦 Kyiv, UkraineBanduraБандура
A Ukrainian plucked string instrument played to accompany epic songs and folk balladsPerformance
🇵🇭 Philippines and 1 morePangalay
A traditional fingernail dance of the Tausūg and Bajau peoples in the Sulu Archipelago and Sabah.Performance