Fiji has come a long way since the days of being referred to as the ‘Cannibal Isles’ by European sailing ships, back when mariners carefully avoided its shores because of its fierce warriors and treacherous waters.
The first inhabitants came from Melanesia, some 3500 years ago, and established a hierarchical society based on clans. Little is known of the islanders' history before the arrival of Europeans in the mid 17th century. The establishment of plantations destabilised the economy resulting in serious friction between the Fijians and Europeans.
In 1874, Fiji became a British colony. Large numbers of workers from India were imported to develop a plantation economy, accounting for the islands' present ethnic mix. After gaining independence in 1970, the moderate conservative Alliance Party governed without interruption. However, Fiji’s political situation was to be anything but stable, with friction between ethnic Fijians and Indo-Fijians dominating politics over the last few decades, and the advent of several military coups over the last 30 years. Early 2009, Fiji’s then president, President Iloilo, suspended the constitution and appointed himself head of state.
Later that year, Fiji’s failure to hold democratic elections saw the country become the first nation to ever be expelled from the Pacific Islands Forum; a few months later, Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth of Nations because Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama refused to hold elections by 2010.
Methodist and Hindu with Roman Catholic and Muslim minorities. The 1997 Constitution of Fiji guarantees freedom of religion.
Social conventions:Fijians are a very welcoming people and visitors often experience local hospitality. Informal casual wear is generally acceptable.
Tips for visiting villages: Before visiting on your own, it is customary to purchase a bundle of unpounded yaqona (kava) - the traditional sevusevu (gift). When approaching the village, visitors should not enter immediately but wait until greeted. They will then be taken to the chief or turaga ni koro (headman), to whom the kava should be offered. Visitors who are accepted by the chief will be assigned a guide and host.
Once inside the village, please also note the following: visitors should dress modestly and not wear shorts or hats, and women should not have their shoulders bare; shoes should always be taken off when entering someone's house or any other village building; visitors should speak softly and not raise their voices too much as this may be interpreted as expressing anger; visitors should show respect but be cautious about praise as Fijians will feel obliged to make a gift of an object if visitors show too much liking for it; Fijians will always, out of custom, ask visitors to stay or eat with them; visitors who spend a night in the village should reward their host with a useful gift of similar value for each member of the party; money is acceptable if it's offered as a goodbye sevusevu and not direct payment.
The principal languages are Fijian and Hindustani. English is widely spoken and is also taught in schools.
