Perceiving gender dynamics perpetuated through Indian media: indigenous Fijian students’ views on Indian women and third gender

Fiji is often referred to as ‘Little India’ where the Fijians of Indian descent (Indo-Fijians) have developed and asserted their new identity with an accommodation of inherited Indian cultural traits and locally assimilated Fijian cultural traits. Modern Indo-Fijians maintain a psycho-emotional connection to their ancestral motherland, India, and actively engage with Indian popular culture, importing customs and traditions through Bollywood movies, Hindi television serials, Indian print and digital media, and other forms of communication. Gradually, the indigenous Fijian youth (iTaukei) have developed a keen interest in Bollywood movies due to their close socio-cultural interactions with Indo-Fijians. They tend to compare and contrast their local culture with Indian culture and make definite opinions about cultural differences. This study examines iTaukei students’ perceptions, as shaped by media and intercultural exchanges, about gender dynamics in Indian culture, particularly regarding women and third-gender identities. By using the ethnographic talanoa sessions, the research uncovers nuanced perspectives, highlighting a complex interplay of ethnocentric assumptions, cultural interpretations, and media influences. The findings shed light on cross-cultural perceptions of gender and underscore how Indian media propagates gender norms that transcend geographical boundaries.