Table of Contents
- What Is the Nanai? The Insect That Appears Once in a Generation
- Why Is the Nanai on the Fijian $100 Note?
- 1. A Symbol of Rarity and Value
- 2. Deep Cultural and Ecological Importance
- 3. A Reminder of Fiji’s Unique Biodiversity
- What Happens When the Nanai Emerges?
- The Nanai and the Future: A Currency That Tells a Story
Ever looked at a Fijian $100 bill and wondered why there’s an insect on it? It’s not just any bug—it’s the Nanai, a rare cicada that only shows up once every eight years.
Seems like a weird choice for the country’s highest-value note, right? But once you hear the story behind it, you’ll see why this little creature deserves its spot. Let’s dive into what makes the Nanai so special, what locals say about it, and why it landed on the $100 note in the first place.
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What Is the Nanai? The Insect That Appears Once in a Generation
The Nanai (Raiateana knowlesi) isn’t like the cicadas you might hear buzzing in trees every summer. This one plays the long game. It spends eight years underground before finally emerging in massive numbers—covering trees, walls, and even people’s clothes. Then, after just a few weeks, they disappear again, and the cycle repeats.
For Fijians, the Nanai isn’t just another insect. It’s a sign of change, patience, and nature’s incredible timing.
“I’ll never forget the first time I saw them,” says Peni, a farmer from Vanua Levu. “One day, nothing. The next, millions were everywhere—the trees, the ground, even inside the house! It felt like something big was happening.”
So, how did this rare little creature end up on the country’s most valuable bill?
Why Is the Nanai on the Fijian $100 Note?
Back in 2012, Fiji decided to give its banknotes a fresh look. Instead of featuring Queen Elizabeth II, they wanted designs that truly represented Fiji’s culture and environment. That’s when the Nanai made its way onto the $100 note—a small but powerful symbol of patience, rarity, and natural beauty.
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1. A Symbol of Rarity and Value
Think about it—just like the $100 bill isn’t something you see every day, the Nanai only shows up once every eight years. It’s an event when it appears, just like it feels a bit special when you have a $100 note in your hands.
“Holding a $100 bill feels different, you know?” says Mere, a teacher from Suva. “It’s not like a $5 or $10—it’s something you don’t use every day. The Nanai is the same.”
2. Deep Cultural and Ecological Importance
For many Fijians, the Nanai isn’t just an insect—it’s a sign of change. Some say its arrival means good fortune or a reminder to respect nature’s rhythms.
“When the Nanai comes, we listen,” shares Jone, an elder from Tailevu. “It’s nature’s way of telling us to slow down and appreciate time.”
3. A Reminder of Fiji’s Unique Biodiversity
Fiji is home to incredible wildlife—rainforests, coral reefs, rare birds. Featuring the Nanai on the $100 note is a gentle nudge to remember the beauty around us.
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“Tourists always ask why an insect is on our money,” says Ana, a bank teller in Nadi. “Once I explain, they love it—it’s something truly Fijian.”
What Happens When the Nanai Emerges?
A Nanai year is wild. One day, everything’s normal. The next, millions of cicadas are everywhere. Their loud buzzing fills the air, and kids run around catching them. Some people even roast them as snacks!
“I remember my grandma waking me up early one morning,” says Sera. “She said, ‘Come see this!’ I ran outside, and the trees were shaking from the noise. I’ll never forget it.”
For kids, it’s an adventure. For elders, it’s a time of reflection. And for some, it’s a feast—Nanai are considered a delicacy in certain parts of Fiji.
“We’d catch them and roast them over the fire,” laughs Tomasi, a fisherman. “Crunchy, full of protein—tastes better than you’d think!”
The Nanai and the Future: A Currency That Tells a Story
Currencies change, but the Nanai on Fiji’s $100 note tells a story that won’t fade. It’s a reminder of patience, of nature’s surprises, and of the incredible world we live in.
The next big emergence is expected around 2028. When it happens, Fijians will once again wake up to a world buzzing with millions of Nanai, just like the steady presence of the Nanai on their most valuable banknote.
So next time you see a Fijian $100 bill, take a moment. That little insect isn’t just decoration—it’s a symbol of time, resilience, and the hidden wonders of nature.
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