Nanai Cicada Education Program Highlights Fiji’s Cultural and Ecological Heritage
Pacific Nation School, alongside Mareqeti Viti, is leading a special program to educate students about the cultural and ecological significance of the Nanai cicada, a creature set to re-emerge next month in the forests of Namosi and Navosa after spending eight years underground. Teacher Tupou Laisani says advocacy on Nanai is new this year, marking a deliberate effort to raise awareness about the insect as it comes back to the surface. “This is the first year we are doing advocacy about Nanai. We’re celebrating it because geologists have been watching this for years. The cycle spans eight years, and this year should mark another emergence after the long subterranean stay,” she explained.
Laisani noted that students are currently in their third week of study, expressing what they’ve learned through artwork, poetry, and crafts as part of the program. The Nanai’s life cycle—eight years underground followed by a brief period above ground—has long been tied to ideas of prosperity and wealth in local tradition.
Beyond science, the cicada holds a prominent place in Fiji’s cultural landscape, with its image featured on the country’s hundred-dollar note, underscoring the insect’s role as a cherished component of Fiji’s natural and cultural heritage. The program is designed to connect classroom learning with living tradition, helping students see how biodiversity and cultural meaning intertwine in their environment.
The initiative sits within a broader movement to integrate culture, science, and community involvement in Fiji’s education landscape. It complements other youth-focused cultural programs seen across the country, such as museum-led initiatives that encourage hands-on engagement with heritage and creative arts, reinforcing the importance of preserving both traditions and ecosystems for future generations. This approach not only broadens students’ understanding of biology and ecology but also nurtures pride in Fiji’s unique heritage, fostering a hopeful outlook for young voices in conservation and culture.
Editor’s notes and value adds:
– This program could benefit from field visits to Nanai sites or guided forest walks by local ecologists to deepen experiential learning.
– Collaborations with artists and writers, as already seen in student artworks and poetry, can be expanded to include science communication, helping students share their findings with the broader community.
– Pairing the Nanai project with community outreach could raise awareness about forest health and biodiversity, potentially inspiring local stewardship and eco-tourism interest.
Summary: The Nanai cicada education program merges science, culture, and art to educate Fiji’s youth about an eight-year underground cycle and its significance, leveraging the cicada’s cultural symbolism to foster biodiversity appreciation and community pride as the insect prepares to re-emerge. The effort reflects a growing trend in Fiji to empower students through cross-disciplinary learning that honors both heritage and the natural world.
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