
What is the ethnicity of the people of Fiji?
What Is The Ethnic Composition Of The Population Of Fiji?
- Early Settlement In Fiji. Archaeological evidence shows that Fiji was inhabited by Austronesian communities in about 3500 to 1000 BC, and in about a millennium later Melanesians were the new ...
- Ethnic Groups In Fiji. ...
- Native Fijians. ...
- Rotumans. ...
- Indo-Fijians. ...
- Chinese. ...
Who are the native people of Fiji?
Who are the native people of Fiji? Fijians, or iTaukei, 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.
What religions are practiced in Fiji?
Fiji Religions. Religions: Protestant 45% (Methodist 34.6%, Assembly of God 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.9%, and Anglican 0.8%), Hindu 27.9%, other Christian 10.4%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%, other 0.3%, none 0.8% (2007 est.) Definition: This entry is an ordered listing of religions by adherents starting with the largest ...
What is the traditional food in Fiji?
Traditional Fijian foods include tavioka (cassava) and dalo (taro) roots, boiled or baked fish, and seafood in lolo (coconut cream). Meat is usually fried and accompanied with dalo and rourou (boiled dalo leaves in lolo), though you’ll often find the colossally popular corned beef substituting for the real thing. Kokoda is a popular dish made ...

What is the main culture in Fiji?
The indigenous culture is an active and living part of everyday life for the majority of the population. Fijian culture has evolved with the introduction of Indian, Chinese and European culture, and various cultures from the Pacific neighbors of Fiji; in particular the Tongan and Rotuman cultures.
What cultures make up Fiji?
With a history that's considered both rich and somewhat tumultuous, Fiji is comprised of a diverse population with indigenous Fijian, Chinese, European and Indian heritage. Naturally, visitors to this tropical paradise will experience Fiji's distinctive cultural diversity through arts, music, festivals and food.
What is special about Fijian culture?
Traditional Fijian culture and customs are enchanting, especially the songs of welcome. Virtually everywhere you go, you'll be serenaded by warm smiles, friendly waves and the strains of island music. Sometimes the music even reaches your ears when you're out at sea, paddle boarding or snorkelling.
What is values in Fijian culture?
The warmth and humbleness of Fijian culture can be somewhat attributed to the society's strong devotion to faith. Almost all Fijians are religious and actively observant. Therefore, a well-developed sense of gratitude and servitude (to one's community and God) has become a familiar feature of the Fijian character.
What is Fiji Indian culture?
Fiji Indian people are very diverse in language, religion and culture. Fiji Indians trace their ancestry largely to. indentured labourers who were taken to Fiji by the British between 1879 and 1916 to work on Fiji's sugarcane plantations. 1 There were also later arrivals of Gujarati and Punjabi migrants.
What race are Fijian?
MelanesianAlthough the indigenous Fijian people are usually classified as ethnically Melanesian, their social and political organization is closer to that of Polynesia, and there has been a high level of intermarriage between Fijians from the Lau group of islands of eastern Fiji and the neighbouring Polynesian islands of Tonga.
How old is Fijian culture?
Historians think that the original Fijians actually came from Southeast Asia through the Malay Peninsula over three thousand years ago, when Polynesians came to live on Fiji but were later invaded and defeated by the Melanesians in 1500 BCE.
What is traditional Fijian food?
Fijians typically eat rice, sweet potato, cassava, fish, coconut, and taro. Meat, chicken, and fish are also traditionally cooked in a Lovo. Fiji is also rich in tropical and juicy fruits such as sea grapes, pawpaw, banana, various melons and of course pineapple and jackfruit!
What traditional clothes do Fijians wear?
Modern Fiji 's national dress is the “sulu” which resembles a skirt. It is commonly worn by both men and women. Sulus are either elaborately decorated with patterns and designs or plain. Many men, especially in urban areas, also have “sulu vaka taga” tailored as part of their suit for work or church.
What are 10 interesting facts about Fiji?
Here are 10 other facts about Fiji you might not know:1) Fiji is composed of more than 300 islands. ... 3) Fiji has a large Indian population. ... 5) Fiji has a traditional drink known as Kava. ... 7) The practice of walking on hot stones began in Fiji. ... 9) Cannibalism is a part of Fiji's history.
Do Fijians wear leis?
Salusalu is the beautiful Fijian style of lei used to welcome guests, for weddings, funerals, and to celebrate achievements, check out these easy steps to know how to make these unique lei in the Pacific and get your salusalu on lock!
What can you not bring to Fiji?
You must declare all food that you are bringing into Fiji....Foods that are considered a risk item include:Meat.Eggs.Dairy products.Dried mushrooms or fungi.Honey or honey/bee products.Seeds for eating or processing into food.Nuts, herbs, spices and un-popped popcorn.Dried, cooked or preserved fruit and vegetables.More items...
Does Fiji have their own language?
Fijian language, Melanesian language of the Eastern, or Oceanic, branch of the Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) language family. In the late 20th century, it was spoken by about 366,000 persons on the islands of Fiji as either a first or a second language.
What are Fiji people called?
Fijians, officially known since 2010 as iTaukei, 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.
Is Fijian Indian?
1 Fiji is an independent Pacific nation. There are three main ethnic groups in the Fijian population: the iTaukei (indigenous original settlers of Fiji), indigenous Rotuman people, and Fijian-Indian. The Fijian-Indian population are descendants of labourers from East India who began entering Fiji in 18792.
Are there Muslims in Fiji?
Islam In Fiji has a high following in Fiji. There are about 60,000 Muslims in Fiji. Muslims in Fiji are mostly Sunni Muslim. In the 1966 Fiji elections, a Suva-based Muslim communal party, the Muslim Political Front, took part.
What are the natives of Fiji called?
Fijians, officially known since 2010 as iTaukei, 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.
What is the main religion in Fiji?
Religious Demography. The U.S. government estimates the total population at 936,000 (midyear 2020 estimate). According to the 2007 census (the most recent with a breakdown by religion), 64.5 percent of the population is Christian, 27.9 percent Hindu, and 6.3 percent Muslim.
Where are the Indians from Fiji from?
Although they hailed from various regions in the Indian subcontinent, the vast majority of Indo-Fijians trace their origins to the Awadh and Bhojpur regions of the Hindi Belt in northern India. Indians in Fiji speak Fiji Hindi which is based on the Awadhi dialect with major influence from Bhojpuri.
What makes Fiji a multicultural country?
The Republic of the Fiji Islands is a multicultural island nation with cultural traditions of Oceanic, European, South Asian, and East Asian origins. Immigrants have accepted several aspects of the indigenous culture, but a national culture has not evolved.
What is the culture of Fiji?
Culture of Fiji. The culture of Fiji is a tapestry of native Fijian, Indian, European, Chinese, and other nationalities.
What is the indigenous culture of Fiji?
The indigenous culture is an active and living part of everyday life for the majority of the population. Fijian culture has evolved with the introduction of Indian, Chinese and European culture, and various cultures from the Pacific neighbors of Fiji; in particular the Tongan and Rotuman cultures. The culture of Fiji, including language, has ...
What is the dominant religion in Fiji?
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.
What is the architecture of Fiji?
Main article: Architecture of Fiji. A bure kalou, a sketch done in the early 1800s. In Old Fiji, the architecture of villages was simple and practical to meet the physical and social need and to provide communal safety.
What is the Fijian cuisine?
Modern Fijian Cuisine is rather diverse with great influence from Indian cuisine and spices. When these are applied to local traditional dishes, it makes for interesting eating. European, Indian, and Chinese variants of cuisine, along with traditional foods, are commonplace in most, if not all households in Fiji.
What was the food of Fiji?
Cuisine. See also: Fijian food and Polynesian cuisine. The cuisine of Fiji in pre-colonial times consisted of root crops, vegetables, and fruits, as well as various land animals such as wild pig, and various birds. The coastal tribes would have had the same, but also had a large amount of local seafood.
What do women wear in Fiji?
On other occasions, women may be dressed in a chamba, also known as a sulu i ra, a sulu with a specially crafted matching top. There are many regional variations throughout Fiji. Residents of the village of Dama, in Bua Province Fiji wear finely woven mats called kuta, made from a reed.
What is the food of Fiji?
A traditional Fijian meal includes a starch, relishes, and a beverage. The starch component, which is referred to as "real food," is usually taro, yams, sweet potatoes, or manioc but may consist of tree crops such as breadfruit, bananas, and nuts.
What languages are spoken in Fiji?
Linguistic Affiliation. Fijian, Hindi, and English became the official languages after independence in 1970, and linguistic autonomy was guaranteed by the constitution of 1997.
What is the name of the island in Fiji?
The indigenous name of the islands is Viti, an Austronesian word meaning "east" or "sunrise." Ethnic Fijians call themselves Kai Viti ("the people of Viti") or i Taukei ("the owners of the land"). Until the advent of colonial rule in 1873, the population of Viti Levu, the principal island of the Fiji group, was divided into hierarchically organized coastal peoples and more egalitarian highland peoples in the interior.
What are the political parties in Fiji?
There are ethnically-based political parties as well as those that cross ethnic divides. The Fijian Association, an ethnic Fijian party established in 1956, formed the core of the Alliance Party, a coalition of conservative ethnically-based political organizations. The Federation Party grew out of conflict between Indo-Fijian cane farmers and foreign agricultural interests that culminated in a sugar-cane farmers' strike in 1960. In 1975, more radical Fijians split from the Alliance Party to form the Fijian Nationalist Party, which recommended the repatriation of all Indo-Fijians to India. In 1985, the labor movement founded its own multi-ethnic Fijian Labour Party. In 1987, a multiethnic socialist coalition was overthrown by the military. These parties have continued to vie for election, although in 2000 the constitution of 1997 was abrogated as part of a military takeover after an attempted civilian coup.
What is the government of Fiji?
Government. As a British crown colony from 1874 to 1970, Fiji had a dual system of governance: one for the country as a whole , and the other exclusively for the ethnic Fijian population . Although a British governor administered the country and was the ultimate authority, British officials avoided interfering in the affairs of the autonomous Fijian administration. The colony had an executive council dominated by the governor and British administrators and a legislative council that eventually included resident European as well as Fijian legislators. The Indian population received the right to vote in 1929, and Fijians (previously represented by their chiefs) in 1963. The Fijian Affairs Board included an appointed Fijian secretary of Fijian affairs, Fijian members of the legislative council, and legal and financial advisers. The Council of Chiefs was established in 1876 to represent the interests of the chiefly class.
How many urban centers are there in Fiji?
Urbanism, Architecture, and the Use of Space. Most of Fiji's eighteen urban centers are on the two largest islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. In the first half of the twentieth century, urban centers were dominated by South Asians and Europeans, while Fijians were considered essentially a rural people.
How did Fiji gain independence?
In 1970, Fiji obtained independence as a dominion within the British Commonwealth, and an ethnically-based parliamentary democracy with an independent judiciary was put in place. The House of Representatives had twenty-two seats reserved for Fijians, twenty-two for Indo-Fijians, and eight for all the other ethnic groups. The Senate was appointed by the Council of Chiefs, the prime minister, the leader of the opposition, and the Council of Rotuma.
What is the culture of Fiji?
Fiji Culture Overview. Fijian culture is a blend of Melanesian and Polynesian backgrounds , although Fiji is also influenced by other vibrant cultures, including Chinese, Indian, European and other South Pacific cultures, particularly Rotuman and Tongan.
What are the main foods of Fiji?
The traditional foods and ingredients for preparing Fijian meals include fish, rice, sweet potatoes, coconut, cassava, breadfruit and taro . Fiji also has delicious national specialty dishes, such as Kokoda, which is raw fish with coconut cream marinated in lemon or lime juice, and Coconut Chutney, which consists of grated coconut, green chile, lemon juice, grated ginger, cilantro leaves and salt.
What is Fijian art?
Fijian art is made up of varieties of beautiful pottery, wooden and woven handicrafts. Weaving and pottery-making is generally performed by the women. Each region in Fiji has its own unique pottery style, and some villages are renowned for their fine pottery, including Na Lotu located on Kadavu, along with the villages in the Nadroga and Rewa provinces. Weaving material mostly consists of coconut and pandanus, which are used to create lovely and intricate mats, hats, baskets and so on. There is also an art gallery in Savusavu on Vanua Levu where you can see a wide variety of gorgeous Fijian art.
What is the traditional dance in Fiji?
The traditional dance in Fiji is known as the meke, which may include some aspects of the seasea (women’s fan dance) or meke wesi (men’s spear dance). Each district in Fiji has its own unique form of the meke, and these dances can be used to narrate celebrations and important events, such as the installation of a chief or a war. ...
What is the official language of Fiji?
English , Bau Fijian and Hindustani are the official languages in Fiji, though English is the most widely spoken. The Fijian language originated from the Austronesian family of languages and is made up of many dialects, but Bau Fijian is the most commonly spoken of these. The Fijian alphabet is similar to the English version, however the letter “x” is excluded and “h” and “z” are rarely used. There are also some pronunciation differences; the letter “c” is pronounced like the English “th” sound in “this”, the letter “d” is followed by an “n” sound, “b” is followed by an “m” sound, “g” by itself is pronounced like the “ng” in “thing”, “q” is pronounced as “ng” plus a strong “g” like in “finger” and “r” is rolled as it is in Spanish.
What instruments are used in traditional Fijian music?
Instruments often used in traditional Fijian music include the guitar, ukulele, mandolin and Lali drum, which is also used to call village members or local people in an area for a variety of social gatherings.
What is Fiji's cultural heritage?
Daily life and social customs. Fiji’s mixed ethnicity contributes to a rich cultural heritage. Many features of traditional Fijian life survive; they are most evident in the elaborate investiture, marriage, and other ceremonies for high-ranking chiefs. Those ceremonies provide a focus for the practicing of traditional crafts, ...
What are the traditional activities of Fiji?
Displays of “traditional” Fijian culture, music, and dancing make an important contribution to tourism; model villages and handicraft markets are popular with tourists. A traditional song-and-dance performance, the meke, is rooted in storytelling traditions. In its strictest form, the meke involves chanting by shamans, whose bodies take on spirits of the netherworld, accompanied by dancing, rhythmic clapping, and the beating of slit drums. The meke is one of the traditional performances at the Arts Village, a model community and tourist centre near Deuba. Cinemas showing imported Indian films are popular. The Fiji Museum, located in the Thurston Botanical Gardens in Suva, contains a fine collection of war canoes and other artifacts.
What are the sports in Fiji?
In the latter category are scuba diving and snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing, and rafting. Among the authentic Fijian sports activities are women’s canoe races on Rotuma Island, wrestling, and disk pitching, a Polynesian-Melanesian form of shuffleboard. The bilibili, a wooden raft, is traditionally used to traverse low-grade white-water rivers. There is also a long tradition of outrigger canoeing in Fiji, and it continues to play an important role in the country’s culture.
What is the media in Fiji?
Fiji has several daily newspapers, and there are also weekly and monthly publications. There are a multilingual public radio broadcasting system and several private multilingual radio stations. A commercial television station provides free services and several pay channels.
What is the most popular sport in Fiji?
Rugby is very popular among native Fijians, and the islands supply players to the top leagues in the world. The national team has performed well in international competition. Other popular sports include football (soccer), lawn bowls, cricket, and basketball. The Fiji Bula Marathon is held each year in May or June.
Where is the Meke in Fiji?
Cinemas showing imported Indian films are popular. The Fiji Museum, located in the Thurston Botanical Gardens in Suva, contains a fine collection of war canoes and other artifacts.
Why should I visit Fiji?
1) Fire Walking Ceremony.
What is the name of the dance that depicts Fijian legends?
3) The Meke. The Meke depicts Fijian legends through love stories, history and spirit of the islands in a series of dances ranging from soft and gentle to loud and warrior-like. There are two groups in the Meke–the orchestra (Vakatara) that sits on ground and sings or chants for the second group, the dancers (Matana).
What does kava do in Fiji?
As Fijian hosts rhythmically chant and clap, each person in the circle is invited to sip kava from the shell. Believed to have medicinal qualities, kava may leave the consumer feeling a little mellow with its mild sedative effect (Fijians call it relaxation) that delivers a slight numbing of the lips and tongue.
What exactly is the Fiji Culture Village?
The Fiji Culture Village is a place for tourists to visit and get a taste of Fiji’s culture, particularly relating to villages.
What is the traditional way of cooking in Fiji?
A “lovo” is a traditional way of cooking in Fiji. It involves cooking food like chicken, fish, and potatoes on hot stones covered in leaves and cloth in the ground. At the Fiji Culture Village, you get the opportunity to see your meal being uncovered from the leaves and being lifted from the hot rocks.
What is the drink that is drunk in Fiji?
Before dinner, there is a traditional Kava ceremony. Kava is a traditional Fijian drink made from the powder of a plant root mixed with water. Historically, it was only drunk by a village chief in celebration. Nowadays, it is drunk by almost everyone, sometimes as a substitute for alcohol (which is very expensive in Fiji!)
How much does it cost to visit Fiji Culture Village?
The cheapest way to visit the Fiji Culture Village is to just make your own way there and pay the entrance fee of around $10 USD. This fee covers the village tour, do not expect lunch or a show for this price though. To me, the show and dinner are the best part, so I wouldn’t recommend it.
How long is the Fiji Culture Village tour?
The day trip runs from 8:30 am and goes until 12 pm or 1:30 pm (depending on whether you choose to stay for lunch or not.)
Is Fiji a good place to visit?
Fiji is an incredible travel destination. With its pristine beaches, over 300 islands, and world-class diving it’s a common beach holiday for people from all over the world. But it isn’t just the beaches and scenery that make Fiji a worthwhile destination – the people and culture in Fiji are amazing! On my recent trip to Fiji, I wanted ...
Where did the name Fiji come from?
Etymology. The name of Fiji's main island, Viti Levu, served as the origin of the name "Fiji", though the common English pronunciation is based on that of Fiji's island neighbours in Tonga. An official account of the emergence of the name states:
Who was the first European to visit Fiji?
Levuka, 1842. Dutch explorer Abel Tasman was the first known European visitor to Fiji, sighting the northern island of Vanua Levu and the North Taveuni archipelago in 1643 while looking for the Great Southern Continent. James Cook, the British navigator, visited one of the southern Lau islands in 1774.
How big is the Fiji archipelago?
The archipelago is located between 176° 53′ east and 178° 12′ west. The archipelago is roughly 498,000 square miles and less than 2 percent is dry land. The 180° meridian runs through Taveuni, but the International Date Line is bent to give uniform time (UTC+12) to all of the Fiji group.
How many Indians were repatriated to Fiji?
Given the steady influx of ships carrying indentured Indians to Fiji up until 1916, repatriated Indians generally boarded these same ships on their return voyage. The total number of repatriates under the Fiji indenture system is recorded as 39,261, while the number of arrivals is said to have been 60,553.
Why did the Kai Colo warriors come to Fiji?
The rising price of cotton in the wake of the American Civil War (1861–1865) caused an influx of hundreds of settlers to Fiji in the 1860s from Australia and the United States in order to obtain land and grow cotton.
How many islands are there in Fiji?
Fiji consists of an archipelago of more than 330 islands—of which about 110 are permanently inhabited—and more than 500 islets, amounting to a total land area of about 18,300 square kilometres (7,100 sq mi). The most outlying island group is Ono-i-Lau.
What was the vote in 2014 in Fiji?
On 17 September 2014, after years of delays, a democratic election took place. Bainimarama's FijiFirst party won 59.2% of the vote, and international observers deemed the election credible. Fiji has one of the most developed economies in the Pacific through its abundant forest, mineral, and fish resources.
Where are the native Fijians from?
Native Fijians are native to all the regions of Fiji with the exception of Rotuma Island.
Who inhabited Fiji?
Archaeological evidence shows that Fiji was inhabited by Austronesian communities in about 3500 to 1000 BC, and in about a millennium later Melanesians were the new inhabitants of Fiji. It is also believed that Lapita people who are the ancestors of the Polynesians inhabited the islands first before the arrival of Melanesians.
What language do native Fijians speak?
Native Fijians. Fijians are the native ethnic group in Fiji and they speak the Fijian language. They are the majority ethnic group in the country. The indigenous people are thought to have arrived on the island from West Melanesia in about 3500 years ago although the precise origin of native Fijians is unclear.
What are the Indian Fijians?
Indian Fijians are citizens of Fiji who are descendants of Indians who originated from different regions of the Indian subcontinent. According to 2007 census indo-Fijians were about 1,798 people accounting for 37.6% of all the people living in Fiji which at the time were about 827,900. Initially, the number of Indo-Fijians in the country was relatively high between 1956 and late 1980s, but due to discrimination, most of them left the country. Most of Indo-Fijians are the descendants of indentured Indian laborers who came from Eastern and Central Uttar Pradesh District in India. The British Colonial rulers brought Indians to Fiji as indentured workers between 1879 and 1916 to work particularly in the sugarcane plantations. The 4 th Prime Minister of Fiji, Mahindra Chaudhry was the first Indo-Fijian to be elected to the premier office on May 19 th, 1999.
What percentage of Fiji's population is Indo-Fijians?
The Indo-Fijians account for 38.1% of the country's population and they are descendants of the Indians who were brought to the island by ...
How many people are in Fiji in 2017?
According to the census of 2017, Fiji had a population of 884,887 people and a decade earlier, in 2007 the population of Fiji was 837,271. The population of Fiji has been growing at a rate of 1.1% per annum from the 1930s.
How many Chinese people live in Fiji?
As of the early 2000s, the population of people of Chinese background living in Fiji was estimated to be about 6,000 , which accounted for less than 1% of the country’s population. About 8% of the Chinese in the country speak Cantonese while 16% speak Shanghainese as their native languages. Benjamin Elisha Sawe August 20 2019 in Society.
What is Fiji known for?
Fiji is better known for its beaches rather than its cuisine. However, this small island nation still has a rich culinary heritage. Traditional cooking methods consist of cooking over an open fire or in an underground oven. The large Indo-Fijian community has left a lasting impact on the country’s food. Many Indians came to Fiji in the 1870s as indentured servants who worked in this former British colony’s sugarcane industry. They introduced many curries and chilies that make this Pacific island nation’s cuisine distinct from its neighbors. Sweet potato, rice, cassava, coconut, fish, and taro (a starchy root vegetable similar to yam) is used to create amazing Fijian dishes. Whether served by locals while you stay a rental, or whether you try it out served at a resort in Fiji, you shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to try these dishes. Book a luxury escape or an all-inclusive resort stay, and don’t miss out on this traditional Fiji food when you’re in the country.
What to do in Fiji?
When in Fiji, explore the top things to do while staying at the best Airbnbs or holiday homes. But most of all - eat! While these dishes may be relatively simple, they are rich in flavor. The indigenous culture combined with different immigrant communities has created a cuisine unique to the South Pacific. Roti and Fish Suruwa showcase the influence the Indo-Fijian community has on this Pacific archipelago. It also has influences of its own geographic location, as fish and coconuts are common ingredients to traditional Fijian food. This country has much more to offer than just beautiful beaches.
What is kokoda in Fiji?
While not exclusively Fijian, it is found all over the country. Like ceviche, kokoda consists of raw fish marinated in lime and lemon juices. The citrusy juices “cook” the raw fish. However, what makes it different from both ceviche and poke is its inclusion of coconut milk.
What are some of the best foods to eat in Fiji?
Sweet potato, rice, cassava, coconut, fish, and taro (a starchy root vegetable similar to yam) is used to create amazing Fijian dishes. Whether served by locals while you stay a rental, or whether you try it out served at a resort in Fiji, you shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to try these dishes.
What is the most popular food in Fiji?
Likely the most prolific and popular food in Fiji is Kokoda. It’s a raw fish salad akin to the ceviche of Southern America or the poke bowl of Hawaii. It’s made up of raw fish marinated in citrus, tossed with coconut cream, onion, tomatoes and chillis. 2.
When is Taro Day celebrated in Fiji?
Taro has been a staple of the Fijian diet for many centuries. It even has its own holiday, Taro Day, which is celebrated during the first full moon in May. Fiji became a major export of taro in the early 1990s when neighboring Samoa experienced the taro leaf blight, which destroyed its local taro industry. 5.
What is the breakfast in Fiji?
There are many different types of breakfast dishes in Fiji. One such breakfast dish is the Babakau, which essentially is fried bread made from a mixture of simple ingredients, such as flour, sugar, water, and yeast.
Overview
The culture of Fiji is a tapestry of native Fijian, Indian, European, Chinese, and other nationalities. Culture polity traditions, language, food costume, belief system, architecture, arts, craft, music, dance, and sports will be discussed in this article to give you an indication of Fiji's indigenous community but also the various communities which make up Fiji as a modern culture and living. The indigenous culture is an active and living part of everyday life for the majority of the population.
Tradition and hierarchy
Fijian indigenous society is very communal, with great importance attached to the family unit, the village, and the vanua (land). A hierarchy of chiefs presides over villages, clans, and tribes. Chiefly positions are hereditary; a deceased chief is invariably followed by a kinsman or kinswoman, though not necessarily his own son or daughter. This reflects Polynesian influence: in most other Melanesian societies, chiefs are appointed on merit.
Language
English, Fijian (based on the speech of Bau Island), and Hindustani are the official languages of Fiji. The Fijian language has many dialects, and there is a clear distinction between the dialects of the West, Central and Eastern parts of the country.
Other languages spoken in the country are Fiji Hindi, Cantonese, Rotuman, Gilbertese (Rabi Island), and Tuvaluan (Kioa Island). The Fiji Islands are traditionally linked to their island neighbours Rotu…
Cultural arts and social polity
In culture, its various crafts and music give it an identity along with it traditional etiquette and varying forms of clothing attire, its unique architecture also tells a story of a culture and its evolution, the following will discuss these aspects of culture in Fiji.
Fiji's arts and crafts reflect local adaptations of their Polynesian and Melanesi…
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 in the 19th century resulted in certain traditions bein…
Sports
Sports culture is unique as different racial mixes and cultures come together in a common interest. Fiji is fanatical about sports, the two most dominant being rugby and soccer.
Sports in older times had a practical place, apart from recreation, helping to train young warriors. One such practice would have the older men bring the male ch…
External links
• Various details on Fijian Culture on Fiji Government online.
• Travel website with details on Fijian Culture.
• Travel Website reports to Daniel Tatuava and his three wives of Pukapuka with details on Fijian Culture and Language.