Surviving a Military Coup, Narcotic Drinks and an Audience with the King posted 9/10/09
Professor, Dr. Craig Weatherby, spends marine biology sabbatical in Fiji

ADRIAN, Mich. - Dr. Craig Weatherby, Adrian College professor of biology, spent last semester in Fiji. He conducted marine biology research for two months and evaluated how indigenous Fijians could conduct sustainable fishery practices. He went over with the non-governmental organization, Blue Ventures.

Weatherby is not new to performing research abroad as he has worked overseas on such trips over the past 30 years. He was sought out for this particular voyage because of his “world experience” and his extensive knowledge of cultures around the globe.

Although the science involved was difficult, the necessity of Weatherby’s assimilation into the Fijian culture and community was far more challenging, and far more important than the science.

“I was there not just as a scientist but also because I am politically savvy,” said Weatherby. “I know the culture, religion, traditions and proper protocol and etiquette. I understand why they live the way they do and I don’t ask questions.”

He was on the very first team to establish programs to help the indigenous Fijians utilize the natural resources of their surrounding ocean in sustainable ways. This is an ongoing program, in which teams will come and go indefinitely, to offer assistance.

While in Fiji, Weatherby received a very rare invitation to attend an audience with the King in a “sevusevu” formal ceremony on the restricted Island of Bau which is closed to European visitors. Sevusevu ceremonies are formal traditional requests for permission to enter Fijian protective areas. Weatherby was also required to completely assimilate into the culture of the Fijian way of life, including eating, dress, as well as the proper social protocol of speaking, acting and traditional nightly narcotic kava drinking events.

“The only way to avoid offending the Fijian people, that I was living with, was to become completely Fijian myself.” said Weatherby. “Part of that process included wearing traditional clothes, which was essentially a dress, and the nightly consumption of a narcotic drink called kava that made my entire mouth numb.”

Weatherby enjoyed his time there and hopes that the program will make a difference in helping the people of Fiji apply practical solutions to sustaining a life using the marine resources of which they are completely dependent. When he was leaving the country, the government was overthrown in a military coup, and he hopes the difficult lives of his new Fijian friends aren’t severely affected.

Dr. Weatherby invites the public and campus community to attend the first 2009-2010 Faculty Brown Bag Lunch Series on Friday, Sept. 25 as he will give a presentation on his sabbatical experiences. The lecture will take place at noon in Knight Auditorium which is located inside Valade Hall on Williams St. The event is free and open to the public and guests are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch.

For more information on the 2009-2010 Faculty Brown Bag Lunch Series, please visit http://www.adrian.edu/faculty_staff/accet/brown_bag.php.