About Fiji

General Introduction

Often referred to as the ‘crossroads of the Pacific,’ Fiji is the ultimate tropical paradise for many, with its incredible beaches, azure lagoons and glorious weather. Home to a wealth of natural beauty on land as well as underwater, this island nation is a great place to kickback and relax, or to have the adventure of a lifetime.

Fiji is blessed with 333 magnificent islands, some inhabited, most not. It is a land where there is still room to move. Set in the tropical South Pacific, Fiji is surely the essence of a tropical island paradise. White sandy beaches, swaying coconut trees, pristine oceans and waterways and a range of things to do and see that will appeal to the most discerning traveler.

But Fiji is so much more than that.

Revel in 5-star resorts, stroll on glimmering white beaches hand-in-hand at sunset, snorkel, dive, surf or kayak pristine oceans, whitewater raft clear and clean waterways, cruise the ocean around our mainland and outer islands, trek our rainforests, backpack the outer islands, visit our welcoming villages and experience sustainable living or immerse yourself in our unique culture and history.

And then there’s the most precious asset – smiling, generous, relaxed Fijians who greet you and everyone they meet with the famous and welcoming ‘Bula’.

Be pampered in Fiji. Relax by the pool with a drink and swap holiday stories with your fellow guests, or ‘shop till you drop’ in a wide variety of outlets catering for all budgets. Indulge in a massage that soothes the soul and rejuvenates the body before sumptuous dining. Then it’s another difficult decision – retire after a hard day or hit one of our night spots to dance the night away. It’s your experience, your choice.

Fiji is ‘Romance’. Make your wedding and honeymoon a memorable experience. With everything taken care of by professionals all you have to do is be there. Fiji has a wedding setting just for you – on the beach, in a rainforest, in a garden of orchids, in a village, on a mountain or in a traditional chapel. All unique in stunning settings creating treasured memories for a lifetime.

Fiji is ‘Sustainable’ eco-tourism. Stay in one of the many eco-resorts, lodges, backpackers or a village home-stay. Trek, swim or birdwatch in the many National Parks and Reserves. Observe our ladies creating mats, masi (tapa) hats, fans and baskets from natural materials. See pottery made the traditional way or attend a talanoa session (storytelling) about history, legends and traditional local medicines. A visit to Fiji is not complete without a traditional kava session and meke (traditional song and dance), are a cultural feast.

Like your Fiji ‘Experience’ a little racier? Trek mountain trails culminating in a swim under a waterfall. Visit caves and listen to traditional stories of great chiefs and tribal wars. Backpack outer islands or step it up a notch and white water rafting or surf world famous waves.

Get the adrenalin pumping with sky-diving or parasailing and hold your breath as your jet boat whizzes through scary manuovers at break-neck speeds.

So you like to ‘Cruise’! The islands are a cruising enthusiast’s wonderland. Whether you’re a yachtie or a cruise liner passenger, this is a great way to taste everything that is Fiji. There are great marinas and if you’re on one of those magnificent luxury cruisers, be our guest and step ashore for a while to get to know the locales.

We have ‘Diving’ experiences extraordinaire. Do it yourself or go with the professionals at luxury resorts, eco-friendly outlets, backpackers or fabulous liveaboards.

Fiji is renowned as “The Soft Coral Capital of the World” and is also home to the “Great Astrolabe Reef”. Feel the goose-bumps as you experience shark feeding or swim with the giant mantas. The moderate water temperature makes for year-round diving and the visibility is a photographers dream. With over 4000 square miles of coral reef, Fiji offers divers unparalleled marine biodiversity. You can shore dive, night dive, resort dive, wreck dive or cave dive.

Fiji is a Mecca for all dreamers, adventurers, fun seekers, lovers, divers, backpackers, families, naturalists and anyone else who is looking for their very own tropical experience of a lifetime.

In Fiji there is something for everyone. Do it all or nothing at all. Live your Fiji experience –don’t just imagine it.

History

Pottery excavated from Fijian towns shows that Fiji was settled before or around 3500–1000 BC, although the question of Pacific migration still lingers. It is believed that the Lapita people or the ancestors of the Polynesians settled the islands first but not much is known of what became of them after the Melanesians arrived. They may have had some influence on the new culture, and archaeological evidence shows that they would have then moved on to Tonga, Samoa and even Hawai’i.

The first settlements in Fiji were started by voyaging traders and settlers from the west about 3500 years ago. Lapita pottery shards have been found at numerous excavations around the country. Aspects of Fijian culture are similar to Melanesian culture to the western Pacific but have stronger connection to the older Polynesian cultures such as those of Samoa and Tonga. Trade between these three nations long before European contact is quite obvious with canoes made from native Fijian trees found in Tonga and Tongan words being part of the language of the eastern Lau group of islands. Pots made in Fiji have been found in Samoa and even the Marquesas Islands.

Across 1000 kms (600 mi) from east to west, Fiji has been a nation of many languages. Fiji’s history was one of settlement but also of mobility. Over the centuries, a unique Fijian culture developed. Constant warfare and cannibalism between warring tribes was quite rampant and very much part of everyday life. The ferocity of the cannibal lifestyle deterred European sailors from going near Fijian waters, giving Fiji the name Cannibal Isles, in turn Fiji was unknown to the rest of the outside world.

The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman visited Fiji in 1643 while looking for the Great Southern Continent. Europeans settled on the islands permanently beginning in the nineteenth century. The first European settlers to Fiji were beachcombers, missionaries, whalers and those engaged in the then booming sandalwood and bêche-de-mer trade.

Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau was a Fijian chief and warlord from the island of Bau, off the eastern coast of Viti Levu, who united part of Fiji’s warring tribes under his leadership. He then styled himself as King of Fiji or Tui Viti and then Vunivalu or Protector after the Cession of Fiji to Great Britain.

The British made the islands a colony in 1874, and brought over Indian contract laborers to work on the sugar plantations. Then Governor Charles Hamilton-Gordon, adopted a policy disallowing the use of native labor and no interference in their culture and way of life. In 1875-76, a measles epidemic killed over 40,000 Fijians, about one-third of the Fijian population.

The British granted Fiji independence in 1970. Over the last 40 years, Fiji has wrestled with the political turmoil of an emerging nation. But it has always maintained a peaceful demeanor to all visitors.

For a country of its size, Fiji has large armed forces, and has been a major contributor to UN peacekeeping missions in various parts of the world. In addition, a significant number of former military personnel have served in the lucrative security sector in Iraq following the 2003 US-led invasion.

Population

The population of Fiji is mostly made up of native Fijians, who are Melanesians (54.3%), although a few also have Polynesian ancestry, and Indo-Fijians (38.1%), descendants of Indian contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the nineteenth century. Most of these Indo-Fijians are or are descendants of Bhojpuri-speaking Biharis. The percentage of the population of Indian descent has declined significantly over the last two decades due to migration for various reasons. There is also a small but significant group of descendants of indentured laborers from Solomon Islands.

About 1.2% are Rotuman — natives of Rotuma Island, whose culture has more in common with countries such as Tonga or Samoa than with the rest of Fiji. There are also small, but economically significant, groups of Europeans, Chinese, and other Pacific island minorities. The total membership of other ethnic groups of Pacific Islanders is about 7,300. Tongans, who as traders and warriors have lived in Fiji for hundreds of years, form the largest part of this community. In the old days there was active commerce between Tonga and Fiji, and later in the history of this relationship the Fijians in the Lau Islands became vassals to the King of Tonga.

One particular reason Tongans and Samoans came to Fiji was to build drua (large double-hulled canoes) which they couldn’t build on their own islands because of the lack of proper timber.

Within Fiji, the term “Fijian” refers solely to indigenous Fijians: it denotes an ethnicity, not a nationality. Constitutionally, citizens of Fiji are referred to as “Fiji Islanders” though the term Fiji Nationals is used for official purposes.

Culture

Performing Arts

An indigenous art form is the Meke, which may incorporate the seasea (women’s fan dance) or a meke wesi (men’s spear dance). It is usually a narrative of an important event such as a war, a chiefly installation, or even a scandal. Some mekes are generations old, and form an important part of Fiji’s oral history. In olden times, the meke was considered to be an oracle from the gods, and the Dau ni vucu, or composer, would often go into a trance before a performance. Others are modern, composed for a particular event, much as a poet laureate might write a poem to celebrate an event in a Western country.

Each district of Fiji has its own form of meke, performed in the local dialect. Other forms of Polynesian and Melanesian dance art forms exist with most widely known being dances of Rotuma and Tonga. There are also various Indian dances and Chinese dances which are performed at relevant festivals marking important times for these communities which are now a part of Culture in Fiji.

Music

Music of Old Fiji consisted of various chants which often told a story or preserved information to be passed on from generation to generation, these songs used various traditional instruments.

With the introduction of European and Asian cultures, music in Fiji has evolved and songs sung in the Fijian vernacular are popular but so are songs in Indian and English. Some local artist mix all three languages and traditional instruments from each culture making for a very interesting musical experience.

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 had the lower parts of their bodies decorated with tattoos. Chiefs were dressed the most 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 wrap around 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, is 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, wear finely woven mats called kuta, made from a reed.

While traditional and semi-traditional forms of dress are still very much in use amongst indigenous Fijian culture, there is a greater influence for western dress in urban areas.

Traditions and Ceremony

Etiquette in indigenous Fijian ceremony is rather intricate depending on the function, as various formalities and presentations which do several things; firstly it shows respect between two communal groups, strengthen tribal and family ties and also reinforces social, tribal and family ties.

Various items are used in ceremony and surrounded by ceremony. Kava, (the root of a pepper plant) known in Fiji as yaqona, is Fiji’s national drink. Traditionally, it was used only in important ceremonies. Nowadays, it is a social beverage. There is a strict protocol associated with yaqona drinking. One should clap once, clasping the hands, take the cup, and drink the yaqona in a single draft before returning the cup to the bearer, clapping three times, and saying the word maca (pronounced: matha).

Another highly prized item in ceremony is the Tabua (Whales tooth). Various regions have traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. One example is the Firewalkers of Beqa (pronounced Benga). The Sawau tribe of Beqa are noted for their ability to walk on white hot stones without being burned. Strict rituals have to be observed before the fire-walking ceremony. There is an ancient myth about how an ancestor of the Sawau tribe was given this power by a spirit god in exchange for his life, after the god was captured by the man who was fishing for eels.

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. These would have been prepared with local herbs and spices on wood fire rock ovens. Most cooking areas were located in the center of house so the smoke would repel insects and strengthen the roof thatching.

Another popular method of cooking, which is still used today, is the lovo which is an earth oven – a fire made in a pit in the ground lined with heat-resistant stones. It closely resembles the hangi of the New Zealand Maori. When the stones are hot, food, wrapped in (banana) leaves, is placed in the pit, covered with soil and left to cook before being unearthed and eaten. Dishes cooked this way include palusami, parcels of taro leaves saturated with coconut milk, onions, and sometimes tinned meat.

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 common place in most, if not all households in Fiji.

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 bonds 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.

Geography

Fiji covers a total area of some 194,000 square kilometers (75,000 sq mi) of which around 10% is land. It is the hub of the Southwest Pacific, midway between Vanuatu and the Kingdom of Tonga. The archipelago is located between 176° 53′ east and 178° 12′ west. The 180° meridian runs through Taveuni but the International Dateline is bent to give uniform time to all of the Fiji group.

With the exception of Rotuma, the Fiji group lies between 15° 42′ and 20° 02′ south. Rotuma is located 400 kms (240 mi) north of the group, 670 kms (410 mi) from Suva, 12° 30′ south of the equator.

Fiji consists of 333 islands (of which 106 are inhabited) and 522 smaller islets. The two most important islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The islands are mountainous, with peaks up to 1,300 meters (4,250 ft), and covered with thick tropical forests. Viti Levu hosts the capital city of Suva, and is home to nearly three quarters of the population. Other important towns include Nadi (the location of the international airport), and Lautoka, the second largest city which is the location of a large sugar mill and a seaport. The main towns on Vanua Levu are Labasa and Savusavu.

Other islands and island groups include Taveuni and Kadavu (the third and fourth largest islands respectively), the Mamanuca Group (offshore from Nadi) and Yasawa Group, which are popular tourist destinations, the Lomaiviti Group, outside of Suva, and the remote Lau Group. Rotuma, some 500 kilometers (310 mi) north of the archipelago, has a special administrative status in Fiji. Fiji’s nearest neighbor is Tonga.

Getting around Fiji

An idyllic tropical paradise, vacationing in Fiji is the perfect getaway for many. With over 300 islands, it is easy to get lost on the many isolated beaches found out here, far away from the humdrum and bustle of city life. Getting around Fiji is not that difficult as the local and inter-island transportation network is good and affordable as well. From express bus services to taxis, rental cars and bike companies, inter-island ferry services, helicopter services and two domestic airlines, traveling around Fiji is actually quite easy.

Air

If you are short on time and want to see the best that Fiji has to offer. PacificSun, a subsidiary of Air Pacific) has daily flights to most of the major Fiji islands, flying to the Mamanucas, Vanua Levu, Kadavu and Suva everyday. Many other smaller islands also have landing strips. If you wish to visit the outer islands such as Gau, Moala, Rotuma, Koro, Valua Balavu or Lakeba, you need permission to visit, as it is illegal to show up uninvited.

Drive/Bicycle

If you are the adventurous type, renting a car, motorcycle or bicycle is a wonderful to get around as it lets you take in the surrounding areas at your own pace and time. Rental cars are expensive in Fiji, but they are worth it if you happen to be here with your family. Avis, Budget and Hertz are among the popular rent-a car companies.

Driving Laws: If you plan on driving in Fiji a valid license is required, otherwise you will have to get an international driving permit. Keep in mind that here you have to drive on the left side of the road.

Bus/Coach/Taxi

On the larger islands, the public transport is quite good, with buses, minibuses and carriers the ideal way to get around and mingle with the locals. Cheap and inexpensive, you can find bus stations in most downtown areas. Taxis are also a good way to travel around Viti Levu, Taveuni, Vanua Levu and Ovalau and see the sights. However, before you get in, make sure you agree on a fare. Sharing taxis and cabs with other people is an effective way of keeping the price down. Taxis can be found at the taxi depot in the main towns, or just have your hotel ring one up for you.

Ferries/Boat

For those with plenty of time on their hands getting around Fiji by boat is amazing, with ferry services linking Viti Levu to all the other island groups. These ferries not only carry passengers, but cargo and vehicles as well and sell food, snacks and drinks aboard. The only downside to traveling by ferry is that a proper time schedule is irregular and this can be especially difficult if you are hard pressed for time.