ruvationa

Ruvanua is a term that refers to a style of traditional Fijian stick fighting, also known as "hard fighting" or "sakiginino". This ancient martial art is an essential part of Fijian culture and is often performed during ceremonies and celebrations. Practitioners of ruvanua use long, narrow sticks called "ruvanua" or "stick" to engage in a series of intricate left-hand versus right-hand movements. These movements, which are learned through hours of practice, require a great deal of skill and agility.

Traditionally, ruvanua was used as a means of resolving disputes and settling scores between villages or families. However, today the practice has largely been replaced by modern sports and games. Many Fijian men still learn and practice ruvanua as a way of connecting with their cultural heritage and developing their physical skills. The indentured Indian laborers who were brought to Fiji by British colonialists in the nineteenth century also adopted and modified ruvanua into a unique fusion style.

Ruvanua has been influenced by traditional Fijian culture and Indian martial arts such as kushti. Its practice emphasizes discipline, respect, and physical conditioning. Modern variations of ruvanua have emerged as a hybrid of traditional techniques and modern competitive striking style, often spelling it Fijian Stickfighting. This variant allows its practitioners to compete in matches, though many Fijian men still maintain the ancient style as a connection to their ancestry and traditions.