Discovering Fiji
Fiji consists of an archipelago of more than 330 islands—of which about 110 are permanently inhabited—and more than 500 islets. About 90 per cent of the total population live on the two major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. And about three-quarters of Fijians live on Viti Levu’s coasts, either in the capital city of Suva, or in smaller urban centres such as Nadi (where tourism is the major local industry) or Lautoka (where the sugar-cane industry is dominant). The interior of Viti Levu is sparsely inhabited because of its terrain.
Of all the Fijian islands Kadavu is the third largest. Located south of Vita Levu, it’s a lush, mountainous island surrounded by coral reefs.
The best time to go to Fiji is during the dry season, from May to October. It’s not so scorching at this time of year and you’re less likely to experience tropical storms.
History
Once known as the Cannibal Isles it is now a cultural melting pot. About half the population are indigenous Fijians and there is a large Indian minority.
According to Fijian legend, the great chief Lutunasobasoba led his people across the seas to the new land of Fiji. Most authorities agree that people came into the Pacific from Southeast Asia via the Malay Peninsula. Here the Melanesians and the Polynesians mixed to create a highly developed society long before the arrival of the Europeans.
The European discoveries of the Fiji group were accidental. The first of these discoveries was made in 1643 by the Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman and English navigators, including Captain James Cook who sailed through in 1774, and made further explorations in the 18th century.
Major credit for the discovery and recording of the islands went to Captain William Bligh who sailed through Fiji after the mutiny on the Bounty in 1789.
The first Europeans to land and live among the Fijians were shipwrecked sailors and runaway convicts from the Australian penal settlements. Sandalwood traders and missionaries came by the mid 19th century.
Cannibalism practiced in Fiji at that time quickly disappeared as missionaries gained influence. When Ratu Seru Cakobau accepted Christianity in 1854, the rest of the country soon followed and tribal warfare came to an end.
Fiji became a British colony in 1874
From 1879 to 1916 Indians came as indentured labourers to work on the sugar plantations. After the indentured system was abolished, many stayed on as independent farmers and businessmen. Today they comprise 45 per cent of the population.
Fiji was a Crown colony of Britain until 1970, when it gained independence as the Dominion of Fiji. A republic was declared in 1987, following a series of coups d’état.
Culture and Religion
As a multicultural, multiracial country, a range of different religions are practised in Fiji, including Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. Religion tends to be split along ethnic lines, with most Indigenous Fijians practising Christianity and most Indo-Fijians practising either Hinduism or Islam.
As you explore the Fijian Islands, you’ll come across Christian churches, Sikh and Hindi temples and Islamic mosques.
indigenous Fijian village culture emphasises tradional land holding and the importance of family within the community. Sunday church services occur in most villages .There has been some tensions between the indigenous Fijian population which follow their traditional ways and the commercially minded Indian population which arrived in Fiji within the last 200 years.
Cuisine
The cuisine of Fiji is a direct reflection of the nation’s multiculturalism. Most traditional dishes are centred around a few staple ingredients that are readily available on the islands, including taro, cassava, sweet potato, rice, coconut and breadfruit. Of course, as a South Pacific island nation, Fiji is also blessed with an abundance of fresh seafood, including fish, octopus and shellfish.
With a big Indo-Fijian community, there are plenty of Indian influences in Fiji’s cuisine. Expect curries and spices mixed with island flavours like coconut milk, creating a unique fusion cuisine.
Destination – Fiji
