FIJI
Oceania Countries
Basic Information
Language: English, Fijian and Hindi.
Other languages spoke:Fiji Hindi, Cantonese, Rotuman, Gilbertese (Rabi Island), and Tuvaluan (Kioa Island).
Important cities
2. Suva
3. Sigatoka
4. Viti Levu Island
5. Savusavu
6. Denarau Island
7. Taveuni
8. Lautoka
9. Korolevu
10. Rakiraki
Landforms
The island nation of Fiji sits in the South Pacific in between Hawaii and New Zealand. Fiji is comprised of more than 332 islands, of which 110 are inhabited, and an additional 500 islets.The two largest islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, and between the two of them make up 87% of Fiji's total landmass. Vita Levu is home to the countries capital, the coastal city of Suva. The island's interior has dramatic landscapes of tropical forests, waterfalls and mountainous terrain. The island has rolling plains used for sugar cane farming as well as mountainous terrain, volcanic hot springs and a scenic harbor in the tourist town of Savusavu. These mountainous islands were formed around 150 million years ago through volcanic activity, and are subsequently covered in thick tropical forests. Most of Fiji's mountains are dormant or extinct volcanoes. Mount Tomanivi, located on the main island of Viti Levu, is the highest point at 4,341 feet (1,324 m), and the lowest point is the Pacific Ocean. Fiji is made up almost completely of mountainous terrain and volcanic origin. The climate is tropical with only slight seasonal temperature variation.
Culture Aspects
Clothing and Costume
The traditional attire was loin cloths for men and grass skirts for women. Skirts were short for single women, and long for married women, with girls wearing virgin locks before marriage. Most ladies of rank had the lower parts of their bodies decorated with tattoos. Chiefs dressed more elaborately.
Modern Fiji's national dress is the Sulu, which resembles a skirt. It is commonly worn by both men and women. One type worn by both men and women is the 'Sulu va Taga' pronounced Sulu vah Tanga which is a wraparound piece of rectangular material which is elaborately decorated with patterns and designs of varying styles this is for more casual and informal occasions. Many men, especially in urban areas, also have Sulu va taga which is a tailored sulu and can be tailored as part of their suit. Many will wear a shirt with a western-style collar, tie, and jacket, with a matching Sulu VA taga and sandals, this type of sulu can be worn to a semi-formal or formal occasion. Even the military uniforms have incorporated the Sulu VA taga as part of their ceremonial dress.
Women usually wear a multi-layered Tapa cloth on formal occasions. A blouse made of cotton, silk, or satin, of often worn on top. On special occasions, women often wear a tapa sheath across the chest, rather than a blouse. On other occasions, women may be dressed in a chamba, also known as a Sulu I ra, a Sulu with a specially crafted top.
There are many regional variations throughout Fiji. Residents of the village of Dama, in Bua Province and Cakaudrove I Vanua (Province). Fiji wear finely woven mats called Kuta, made from a reed.
While traditional and semi-traditional forms of dress are still very much in use among indigenous Fijian culture, there is a greater influence for Western and Indian Fashion in urban areas as in neighboring developed nations this indicates that there are several languages within a country, meaning is same but pronunciation is different.
Religion
Religion is quite diverse with Christianity being the dominant faith in Fiji. Many Christian denominations are present in Fiji, the most prevalent of which is Methodist. Of the other Asian religions the Hindu faith is dominant, followed by Islam. There are other belief systems observed by Fijians as well.
The impact of Christianity
The impact of Christianity in the 19th century resulted in certain traditions being proscribed. In the pre-Christian era, human sacrifice was practiced. Men were buried alive to hold the pillars to the house of a chief. Cannibalism was practiced, too:the bodies of enemies slain in battle, or in sacrifice, were piled up and cooked for festivals, such as the installation of chiefs or the launching of a great canoe Seru Epenisa Cakobau. The Bauan war lord who united the disparate tribes of Fiji and proclaimed himself King in 1871 and he renounced cannibalism on his conversion to Christianity in 1854.
Old religion
Fiji's old religion is no longer practiced by the majority in the indigenous community who have adopted Christianity. Old deities are still acknowledged and respected, but not worshiped. Fijian rituals still exist in private.
Demographics
Of the various faiths, Christianity is the dominant belief system and including all the various denominations of the Christian faith they number in total 449,482. Hindus, with their various denominations, number in total 261,097.Muslims make up 54,324 of Fiji's population. Followers of other belief systems make up 10,166 of Fiji's population.
The image is Pre-Christian Fijian religious building.
Architecture
In Old Fiji, the architecture of villages was simple and practical to meet the physical and social need and to provide communal safety. The houses were square in shape and with pyramid like shaped roofs, and the walls and roof were thatched and various plants of practical use were planted nearby, each village having a meeting house and a Spirit house. The spirit house was elevated on a pyramid like base built with large stones and earth, again a square building with an elongated pyramid like roof with various scented flora planted nearby.
The houses of Chiefs were of similar design and would be set higher than his subjects houses but instead of an elongated roof would have similar roof to those of his subjects homes but of course on a larger scale.
With the introduction of communities from Asia aspects of their cultural architecture are now evident in urban and rural areas of Fiji's two main Islands Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. A village structure shares similarities today but built with modern materials and spirit houses (Bure Kalou) have been replaced by churches of varying design.
The urban landscape of early Colonial Fiji was reminiscent of most British colonies of the 19th and 20th century in tropical regions of the world, while some of this architecture remains, the urban landscape is evolving in leaps and bounds with various modern aspects of architecture and design becoming more and more evident in the business, industrial, and domestic sector, the rural areas are evolving at a much slower rate.
The image represent the Bure Kalou.
Native Groups
iTaukei, legally known until 2010 as Fijians, are the major indigenous people of the Fiji Islands, and live in an area informally called Melanesia. Indigenous Fijians are believed to have arrived in Fiji from western Melanesia approximately 3,500 years ago, though the exact origins of the Fijian people are unknown. Later they would move onward to other surrounding islands, including Rotuma, as well as blending with other (Polynesian) settlers on Tonga and Samoa. They are indigenous to all parts of Fiji except the island of Rotuma. The original settlers are now called "Lapita people" after a distinctive pottery produced locally. Lapita pottery was found in the area from 800 BC onward.
As of 2005, indigenous Fijians constituted slightly more than half of the total Fijian population. Indigenous Fijians are predominantly of Melanesia extraction, with some Polynesian admixture. Other ethnic groups in Fiji include Indians, the Rotuman people, and minority communities, which include Caucasians, Chinese, and other Pacific Islanders.
New Zealand has a large Fijian expatriate population, according to the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs. In 2001, Fijians were the fifth largest Pacific ethnic group living in New Zealand. There was a decrease of 8 percent between 1996 and 2001. The estimated Pacific Islander population size is 231,800 in 2001 Fijians comprising about 7,000 of that.
The Tabua is a much revered whale's tooth which is used in both public and private occasions or ceremonies. The tooth is considered sacred.
Yaqona (pronounced yung-gohna), otherwise known as Kava- another important traditional custom - is an infusion prepared from the root of Piper methysticum, a type of pepper plant. The plant itself is also often referred to as yaqona or the kava plant. Yaqona is extremely important in indigenous Fijian culture - in the time of the 'old religion' it was used ceremonially by chiefs and priests only. Today, yaqona is part of daily life, both in villages and in urban areas and across all classes and walks of life. 'Having a grog' or 'drinking grog', as drinking kava is sometimes known, is used for welcoming and bonding with visitors, for storytelling sessions or merely for passing time.
The native Fijian language belongs to the Central Pacific - Fijian - Polynesian branch of the Austronesian family.
About 86 percent of the land in Fiji is owned by indigenous Fijian people. In 1876, Sir Arthur Hamilton--Gordon, the British Colonial Governor, prohibited the sale of Fijian land to non-ethnic Fijians. This controversial policy continues to this day. The Governor also banned the employment of native Fijians as laborers, and in 1878, began importing indentured laborers from India to work in the sugarcane fields. The effects of this immigration created an ethnic polarization, which has proven to be politically challenging to Fijian race relations.
Indigenous Fijians overwhelmingly report as being Christian, with the Methodist Church of Fiji and Rotuma claiming the loyalty of 66.6% (1996 census). Other significant denominations include the Roman Catholic Church (13.3%), the Assemblies of God (6.2%) and the Seventh-day Adventists (5.1%). About 8% belong to other churches from a large number of denominations. Only about 0.8% report as following non-Christian religions or no religion.
Approximately 70% of indigenous Fijians are farmers, many of which are sustenance farmers. They commonly grow such crops as sugar cane, cassava, rice, sweet potatoes, and bananas.
Things to do
2. Take a swim in Natadola Beach (Sigatoka)
3. Go to Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool (Nadi)
4. Make extreme activities as Zip Fiji (Pacific Harbour)
5. Visit the Lavena Coastal Walk (Taveuni Island)
6. Go to the Port Denarau Marina (Denarau Island)
7. Have a walk on the Garden of the Sleeping Giant (Nadi)
8.Go to Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park (Sigatoka)
9. Have a waddle at Fiji Museum (Suva)
10. Take a shower at Tavoro Waterfalls (Taveuni Island)
Food
The basics of Fijian food consists of rice, sweet potatoes, taro, cassava, coconut and fish; and using mostly open fire or underground cooking methods, the ingredients are made into one of the following national dishes. The heavy influence of the Indo-Fijian culture also means the cuisine has elements of colorful curries and spices with it.
Here are some of the most popular traditional Fijian dishes. There is one thing a guest must remember if ever invited to a Fijian home for a meal: the guest must start on the dishes first. It is the local custom to wait patiently until the house guest makes their first move towards the food, otherwise everyone will simply wait around with grumbling stomachs. No one will remind you as it is deemed impolite.
Kokodo/Kokoda
A very popular dish that has many variations in the Pacific, this is the island’s equivalent of South America’s Ceviche, made up of raw Mahi-mahi fish and a dressing called ‘Miti’ which is made from thick coconut cream with onions, lemon/lime juice, salt and chilies.
Lovo
A style of cooking that is popular throughout the Pacific region, the Lovo refers to the way meat, fish and vegetables are steamed under heated earth. Prepared for communal celebrations and events, the food emerges from their underground oven tender and full of flavor.
Palusami
- Palusami: A lovely dish of corned beef or fish baked with coconut milk in taro leaves. It can be served hot or cold.
Indo-Fijian Cuisine
Holidays and Festivals
Outrigger International Competition
Fiji is a sporting nation, and for its size, does particularly well on the global scale. The Outrigger International Competition is the main event in Nadi each year which draws hundreds of competitors and thousands of spectators. Other sporting events like the Fiji marathon are also held during this time.
Fiji International Jazz and Blues Festival
Port Denarau is host to the Fiji International Jazz and Blues Festival. It spans three days in May and welcomes many local and international jazz and blues musicians to perform. Australian, American, European, and New Zealand musicians make up most of the performers. The festival is a great time visit Port Denarau as the sights and sounds of the event are unmatched during the rest of the year.
Honoring the Founder of Modern Fiji Festival
The last Monday in May is a commemoration to the Father of Modern Fiji, Ratu Sir Lala Sakuna. The festivities last for an entire week, with many different towns and cities celebrating in their own way. The event concludes with a presidential speech relating to Fijian unity, and the statue of Ratu Sir Lala Sakuna is polished by locals.
World Music Festival
Fiji is the heart of the Pacific music culture. Each year in June, the World Music Festival packs the city of Suva. Bands from across the world and some local come to the city to showcase their exciting musical talents. Reggae is popular during this time, as is traditional Fiji music. It only started in 2006, but has grown considerably since then.
Bula Festival
Held across several days in mid-July, the Bula Fiji Festival is a fantastic celebration of the island nation’s heritage. Singing and dancing take center stage in the city of Nadi, and a parade is usually the spotlight of the event. At the end of the celebrations, a young woman is crowned Miss Bula for the year.
Hibiscus Festival
The event is held in several areas around Fiji in the month of August and has recently spread to other Pacific Islands nations. The Miss Hibiscus title is a coveted part of the event, drawing thousands of entrants from across the Fiji islands. In addition, local arts, crafts, sports, music, food, dance, and songs are exhibited throughout the festival.
Diwali Festival
Due to Fiji’s large Indian population, the Diwali Festival is one of the main events held on the islands. Celebrated in the month of October, Diwali (which is also known as the Festival of Lights) is characterized by fantastic light shows, traditional firecracker displays, and plenty of night-time fun. It isn’t just the Indian population that gets into the swing of things, as all cultures love any excuse to party.