FIJIAN-Rotuman Association chairman Paserio Furivai is calling on parents and elders to continue speaking the Rotuman language to their children so their culture will not be lost.
Rotumans celebrated the second day of their three-day celebration of Rotuma Day at the Tattersals Leisure Centre yesterday with the theme Rotuman cultural heritage through sharing and nurturing.
"I remember going to a rugby game featuring a Rotuman team and while discussing the game plan, these Rotumans were speaking the iTaukei language," said Mr Furivai.
"So many young people these days are losing the Rotuman culture.
"It is a worrying concern because we want to make sure our culture stays with us in years to come." He said parents should speak the Rotuman language to their children and the elders to continue in guiding the younger Rotuman language speakers.
"At next year's Rotuma Day celebrations, I would love to see more attendance from the younger people and for the young people to come up with their own Rotuman dances," he said. The Rotuma Day celebrations end today at a church service at Rewa St at 3pm.