Adi Senikau Pageant
Celebrating over A decade of the Adi Senikau Pageant.
Our journey with the iconic Adi Senikau Pageant began over a decade ago, co-producing the event with the Hibiscus Events Group Inc. as a cornerstone of Fiji's famed Hibiscus Festival. To secure its future and amplify its impact, we established the pageant as an independent legal entity in 2019. Today, under the custodianship of the Haus of Khameleon, the Adi Senikau Pageant proudly operates as Fiji's flagship transgender event, championing authenticity and empowerment on its own terms. The Haus of Khameleon now acts as the official custodian, guiding Fiji's preeminent transgender event into its next chapter.
Celebration of Diversity
The Adi Senikau provides a platform for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals, as well as gay men who cross-dress. It has evolved to specifically focus on transgender women.
Community support: The event serves a greater purpose beyond just a pageant. It is a fundraiser with a goal of creating a community hub and safe house for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly homeless trans youth.
International participation: The pageant is unique in the Pacific for including transgender women from other countries in the region, such as the Cook Islands, Samoa, New Caledonia and Tonga.
Advocacy and awareness: Contestants use the platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ issues. For instance, in 2014, a contestant advocated for the inclusion of gay people in climate change discussions, arguing they are a vulnerable group. A "Research Topic Judging" category was also introduced in 2019 to focus on intersectional issues.
Overcoming opposition: The pageant has faced attempts to shut it down by those who consider it immoral, but it has persisted and remained visible. The event was held independently by the Haus of Khameleon starting in 2019.
Adi Senikau Pageant 2019
Venue: Suva Civic Center Auditorium
The 2019 Adi Senikau was won by Amara DeLonCrayn, who also took home awards for Best Research Topic and Best Talent.
Transgender Day of Remembrance: In 2019, the pageant was staged during Transgender Awareness Month. A candlelight vigil was held during the event on Transgender Day of Remembrance to commemorate a transgender victim of murder.
The Adi Senikau Pageant: A Beacon of Beauty, Courage, and Celebration in Fiji
In the heart of the South Pacific, where vibrant Fijian culture meets the pulse of modern identity, a dazzling event each year challenges norms and celebrates authenticity. The Adi Senikau Pageant is not just a pageantry contest; it is a powerful statement of visibility, resilience, and community for Fiji’s transgender and gender-diverse population. More than just sequins and crowns, it is a night where courage takes the stage and wins.
Named in honor of a revered noble rare flower in Fiji, the Adi Senikau, the pageant carries a name synonymous with grace and local prominence. This naming is significant—it roots the event firmly within Fijian society, claiming a space for transgender women in the national narrative. Under the glittering lights, contestants, known as "VIPs" (Very Important Persons), don not just traditional Fijian masi and elaborate gowns, but also the hopes of a community striving for acceptance.
More Than a Crown: A Platform for Advocacy and Dignity
While the audience sees a spectacular show of fashion, talent, and poise, the Adi Senikau Pageant’s foundation runs much deeper. It is a cornerstone of the work done by the Haus of Khameleon, an organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and health of the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly in the face of significant legal and social challenges.
The pageant serves as a vital fundraising event, with proceeds supporting critical health initiatives, including HIV testing, prevention, and care programs. In a region where access to inclusive healthcare can be a struggle, the pageant directly contributes to the wellbeing of the community it represents. It transforms an evening of entertainment into a lifeline of support.
Furthermore, the event is a profound act of advocacy. By showcasing the talent, intelligence, and beauty of transgender individuals in a very public forum, it actively dismantles stigma and prejudice. Contestants often speak of their journeys during the pageant, sharing stories of struggle and triumph that foster empathy and understanding among a wider audience. It is a bold assertion that transgender Fijians are an integral part of the nation's social fabric, deserving of respect and equal rights.
A Night of Glamour and Cultural Pride
The competition itself is a breathtaking fusion of traditional pageantry and Fijian culture. The VIPs are judged across several categories:
Traditional Wear: Contestants showcase stunning creations made from masi (Fijian tapa cloth) and other local materials, beautifully blending their gender identity with their cultural heritage.
Talent: This segment highlights the diverse skills of the participants, from traditional Fijian dance and song to modern performances, demonstrating their creativity and confidence.
Evening Wear: The classic pageant moment, where elegance and grace take center stage as contestants glide across the floor in glamorous gowns.
Q&A: Perhaps the most revealing segment, where contestants articulate their thoughts on issues affecting their community, showcasing their intelligence and poise under pressure.
The atmosphere is electric—a supportive crowd of allies, friends, and family cheers on the VIPs, creating a safe and celebratory space that is often elusive in their daily lives. The sense of sisterhood among the contestants is palpable, turning potential rivalry into a powerful display of solidarity.
The Ripple Effect: Impact Beyond the Stage
The crowning of the new "Queen" is more than a personal victory; it is an appointment to a role of responsibility. The winner becomes an ambassador and a role model, using her platform to advocate for transgender rights, educate the public, and provide support to others in the community.
The Adi Senikau Pageant sends a ripple effect throughout Fiji and the Pacific. It inspires younger transgender individuals to live their truth without fear and shows the broader society the strength and beauty of diversity. It stands as a testament to the progress being made, even in the face of adversity, proving that the Fijian spirit of lotu (worship), vanua (land), and matanitu (government) can, and must, include all its people.
In a world often hostile to difference, the Adi Senikau Pageant is a radiant celebration of it. It is a night where beauty is redefined, courage is applauded, and the true meaning of community shines brightly, reminding everyone that in Fiji, everyone deserves to feel like a VIP.