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The South Pacific
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Fiji History and Culture
Often cited as one of the most international and sophisticated of the Pacific Island nations, Fiji boasts friendly people, breathtaking scenery, and a rich history that includes a variety of cultures.
Early History
There’s much discussion as to who were the first settlers of these 333 islands known as Fiji. Most believe that the indigenous peoples of Fiji are Melanesians, who arrived as much as 8,000 years ago from Asia. The second migration to the archipelago, which occurred approximately 2,000 years before the birth of Christ, brought Polynesians to the islands, also from south-east Asia. Even today, the evidence of two distinct cultures is easily recognizable due to physical differences in the Melanesians and Polynesians. The former are dark-skinned with curly hair while the latter are quite fair and often very tall.
Historians note that early Fijians were a rough and tumble group, prone to practicing cannibalism and polygamy and firmly entrenched in the spirit world. On the positive side, they were also fine craftsmen – producing exquisite pottery of which you can still find a few examples – and were also excellent sailors and navigators.
Europeans began to settle in Fiji in the late 1700s, though historians will tell you that by 1850, there were still only a handful of white settlers in the islands, mostly those who had been shipwrecked. However, in the next 20 years, many British citizens traveled to the islands hoping to be entrepreneurs, raising the European population to about 2,000.
In 1874, after nearly a decade of conflict, the ruler of Fiji ceded his kingdom to the British and the islands remained a British possession until 1970. Today, the white population of Fiji numbers about 4,000, just a small percentage of a total population of approximately 800,000.
In 1881, Fiji gained yet more citizens when the island of Rotuma was annexed to Fiji. Many Rotumans have settled on Viti Levu while others have remained on their island of origin. There has been much inter-marriage between Rotumans and Fiji Islanders over the past 100+ years and Rotumans have assimilated well into Fiji society.
An Ethnic Melting Pot
In reality, the Fiji Islands boast a unique combination of peoples, adding to the islands’ charming diversity. Indeed, you will find large pockets of individuals from cultures other than Melanesian or Polynesian as you traverse the islands.
Indians make up nearly half the population of this archipelago. They are usually divided into two distinct categories – the Calcuttas, from the north of India; and the Madrassis, from other parts of the country. They came as indentured servants in the 19th century and their presence in Fiji is why the Hindu religion is so popular here.
Chinese began arriving in Fiji shortly after the turn of the 20th century and have become an important part of Fiji society. Many individuals of Chinese descent operate Fiji’s stores and other businesses, including many tourist operations.
Descendants of Australians, Europeans and Americans also make up a small portion of the population. Most of them arrived in Fiji to work at the cotton plantations and married Fiji women. Most speak fluent English and are usually referred to as “part-Europeans.
Others from various South Pacific islands have also made their way to Fiji over the centuries. Many, like the Tongans and Samoans, originally came here to build “war canoes” as timber for these boats was scarce on their islands.
Today’s Fiji Islanders
Read any South Pacific guidebook and the first word mentioned in conjunction with Fijians is “friendly”. Visitors are warmly welcomed into their communities and hospitality is often extended by means of a meal or a place to stay. If you’re visiting a Fiji village, you may even be invited to participate in a traditional welcoming ceremony. (It’s okay to drink the kava, even though it looks rather cloudy and unusual, but be sure to inquire as to rules of etiquette concerning appropriate dress and the giving of gifts to community leaders.)
Religion is a big part of Fijian life. Some may be surprised to hear that a large number of Fiji Islanders are of the Protestant faith, specifically Methodist, thanks to missionaries from that denomination who traveled to Fiji many decades ago. Other Protestant denominations are present as well, as is Roman Catholicism. Most of the Indian population is Hindu though a number are Muslim.