by Litia from Suva asks Santa about making a list, learns Fiji is made of hundreds of islands, and hears about the traditional lovo feast
Dear Santa, my name is Litia and I am eight years old. I live in Suva, Fiji, where my bubu says Christmas Day always ends with everyone jumping straight into the ocean, clothes and all sometimes, if we are not careful.
Dear Litia, I have witnessed a fully dressed post-dinner ocean jump myself, and I fully understand the appeal on a warm Fijian Christmas.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, can I make a Christmas list? My little brother makes his so long it barely fits on one piece of paper, and I want to know if that is even allowed.
Lists of any length are allowed, Litia, though I will gently say that shorter, more thoughtful lists tend to bring more genuine joy than very long ones. Still, your brother’s enthusiasm is noted and appreciated.
My second question is about our country. My teacher says Fiji is actually made up of hundreds of islands, not just one big one. Is that true?
It is, Litia. Fiji consists of more than three hundred islands scattered across the Pacific Ocean, though only a portion of them are inhabited. Island-hopping across that much open water on Christmas Eve is one of the more adventurous stretches on my entire route.
My third question is about the lovo. My family cooks a huge feast underground, wrapped in leaves, for Christmas Day. Why do we cook it underground instead of using an oven?
The lovo is a traditional Fijian method of cooking, using heated stones buried in an earth pit to slowly roast food wrapped in banana or other large leaves, a technique passed down for generations. It brings the whole family together to prepare and share a meal in a way that feels deeply rooted in Fijian culture, and I always look forward to the smell of it drifting up as I fly over on Christmas Day.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Litia Ratu
Suva, Fiji
P.S. Will you jump in the ocean with us this year?
Perhaps just my boots, Litia. The rest of the suit has other plans.
