The Cibi () is a
Fiji
Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consis ...
an
meke of
Bauan
Bauan, officially the Municipality of Bauan ( tgl, Bayan ng Bauan), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 90,819 people.
History
Religious attribution and mi ...
origin and
war dance
A war dance is a dance involving mock combat, usually in reference to tribal warrior societies where such dances were performed as a ritual connected with endemic warfare.
Martial arts in various cultures can be performed in dance-like setti ...
, generally performed before or after a battle. It came to prominence in the rugby field in 1939 when it was performed by the
Fiji national rugby union team
The Fiji national rugby union team represents Fiji in men's international rugby union competes every four years at the Rugby World Cup, and their best performances were the 1987 and 2007 tournaments when they defeated Argentina and Wales resp ...
before the match. It is also known as Teivovo
Origins
The origins of the cibi date back to the country's warring times with their
Pacific
The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean (or, depending on definition, to Antarctica) in the south, and is bounded by the contine ...
neighbours and intertribal 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 ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island coun ...
, the captain, Ratu Sir
George Cakobau
Ratu Sir George Kadavulevu Cakobau (6 November 1912 – 25 November 1989) 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 ...
, thought his team should have a war dance to match the
All Blacks' haka. He approached Ratu Bola, the high chief of the warrior clan of Navusaradave in
Bau, who taught them the Cibi which has been adopted as Fiji's pre-match ritual ever since and went on to become the only team to remain unbeaten on a full tour of New Zealand.
The Cibi
The 'Cibi' had perhaps been used incorrectly though, as the word actually means "a celebration of victory by warriors," whereas 'Bole' is the acceptance of a challenge. For this reason, the Cibi was replaced in 2012 with the new Bole
(''pronounced mBolay'') war cry. The Bole war cry has a lot more energy compared to the Cibi and seems far more fitting for the gruelling match that is about to commence, However, after the 2012 Pacific Nations Rugby Cup, the Cibi returned to be used.
Composed by Ratu Manoa Rasigatale, the Bole is translated as follows:
:''I'm challenging you to be uprooted, yes, it will be done, let's turn them up side down.''
:''I'm ready, you think I'm afraid of you, you can't break my defence.''
:''You're only a hen, I'm the rooster, let's fight and you'll see.''
:''I don't sleep and will watch you.''
:''My strength can reach the crushing of the waves.''
:''I will not be drowned, you think you'll defeat me by drowning?''
:''Your fence is only made of wawamere creapers, It's easy to untangle.''
:''I can uproot you, I can uproot you, yes it will be achieved.''
See also
*
Haka (sports)
*
Kailao
The kailao is a cultural dance from the South Pacific country of Tonga. It originates from Wallis and Futuna.
History
The kailao originated on the island collectivity of Wallis and Futuna, where it is still performed in public ceremonies. In Tonga ...
*
Sipi Tau
The kailao is a cultural dance from the South Pacific country of Tonga. It originates from Wallis and Futuna.
History
The kailao originated on the island collectivity of Wallis and Futuna, where it is still performed in public ceremonies. In Tonga ...
*
Siva tau __NOTOC__
The Manu Siva Tau is a Samoan war dance, performed by the Samoan sporting teams before each match.
The national rugby union team used to perform the traditional ' Maulu'ulu Moa' on tour. Prior to the 1991 World Cup, the 'Manu' war ...
References
* Spoken Fijian: An Intensive Course in Bauan Fijian, with Grammatical Notes and Glossary By Rusiate T. Komaitai, Albert J. Schütz, Contributor Rusiate T Komaitai, Published 1971, Univ of Hawaii Pr, Foreign Language / Dictionaries / Phrase Books, ''used for translation''
External links
Cibi on YouTubePacific Islanders Rugby Teams supporters website
{{Culture of Oceania
War dances
Fijian culture
Ritual dances
Rugby football culture