[ANU Pacific.Institute] Reminder: Special seminar tomorrow, Matti Erasaari on 'Fiji Time'

[Matt Tomlinson]

Special Seminar Announcement


Matti Eräsaari

Newton International Fellow in Social Anthropology

University of Manchester



Fiji Time and the value of waiting



9 November 2016

Hedley Bull 2, 2:00-4:00 p.m.



Abstract: My research looks into the valuation of time in Fiji. The phenomenon known as "Fiji Time" is a case in point: on the one hand, "Fiji Time" stands for the "relaxed", "laidback" or "leisurely" attitude to time that marks the Fijian tourist industry's current marketing approach. On the other hand, "Fiji Time" is also used in reference to being late - not just in the sense of having to wait a bit longer for the bus, but often also as the embarrassing state of being behind the rest of the world; late from history. This, yet again, contrasts with the kind of dignity associated with slowness or "wasting time" in the chiefdom of Verata where I have worked. The notion of Veratan slowness corresponds to particular ideas of chieftaincy, but this valuation of time goes beyond symbolic constructions. In my presentation, I draw upon Veblen's idea of conspicuous leisure to offer an alternative approach to the value of time.



All are welcome!

For information, contact matt.tomlinson at anu.edu.au


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Matt Tomlinson
Associate Professor of Anthropology / Convenor, Master of Asian and Pacific Studies
College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University
Canberra, ACT 2601 Australia
https://researchers.anu.edu.au/researchers/tomlinson-ma

New Mana has been published!: https://press.anu.edu.au/publications/series/monographs-anthropology/new-mana
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