Team Mela Fans

#TeamMela was popularised on when the social network was in its prime as a space where indigenous networks, thought, scholarship, creativity, sexuality, insights, entrepreneurship, and just everyday lives were shared, discussed and celebrated.

The hashtag #TeamPoly connected Polynesians all over the world, documenting the complex dynamics between island-based communities and different diasporas, and the conditions of their identities and pride. Poly was/is a vast ocean, but it felt increasingly necessary to articulate the important differences and complexities of the wider scope of Moana Pacific experience. Along with Micronesian users (#TeamMicro), Melanesians started hashtagging #TeamMela in solidarity of connection and community, differentiating and complicating our vast Ocean in the micro-blogging universe.

This experimental series of custom-made Fijian fans was produced in Daku, Tailevu – a village now synonymous with the production of classic Fijian fans. Whils.....