Meet The Fiji People

Fiji is a country with a diverse mix of people. The Fiji people have a strong attachment to its heritage and traditions. Tourists usually experience Fijian customs such as the meke, a Fijian dance, the Lovo feast and kava ceremonies. Almost all accommodation in the island follow the style of the ‘bure', the traditional dwelling of the Fiji people. Learning about the Fiji people or the Fijians is a great way to make your trip to Fiji more meaningful.

The current Fiji population is about 800, 000. It is the most populated country in the South Pacific region. The Fiji society is a blend of different cultures with indigenous Fiji people comprising more than half of the population. Around forty percent of the Fiji people are Indians who are primarily Hindus and Muslims. The small percentage of the Fiji people are ethnic minorities including the the Polynesian Rotumans, Tuvaluans and Banabans. There are also few of European and Chinese descent.

Native Fiji People follow a way of life steeped with tradition. The village has a hierarchical system with the highest rank held by the chief. The chief controls the village land occupied by clans. The authority of the chief and his family passes from heir to heir. Common village people do not make any decisions about the goings on in their village. Even travelers have to ask to see the village chief first and seek his permission before entering a village.

When a villager leaves to work in the city or in other countries, the ties to the village is not broken. Those left in the village expect the person to provide financial aid not just to their families but also to the village. Many Fiji people still follow their traditions up to this day but there are a few, especially the younger generation exposed to western cultures, that are finding it difficult.

Indians or Fiji-Indians are the descendants of field workers brought over by the British in the 1800s to tend their sugar cane plantations. After their labor contracts were over, the Indians resided in Fiji and today they dominate the business sector especially the sugarcane industry.

The Rotumans are from the Fiji state of Rotuma. Rotumans have a distinct culture and lifestyle from the Native Fiji people. The family structure of Rotumans is quite the opposite of that of the indigenous Fijians. Individual families live in separate houses and unlike in native Fiji villages, Rotuma village chiefs and clans do not have as much control in the life of the people. Rotumans regard their women with greater respect. Rotuman women also carry main family responsibilities and participate in decision-making. Rotumans are good-natured and fun-loving people.