Indigenous Fijians

Total population
Est. 500,000
Regions with significant populations
Fiji 475,739 [1]  New Zealand 7,000 [2]  Australia 19,173 [3]  United States 10,265 [4]  United Kingdom Over 4,500 [5]
Languages
Fijian Bau, English, Fijian Hindi
Religion
Christian (Methodist 66.6%; Roman Catholic 13.3%; Assemblies of God 6.2%; Seventh-day Adventist 5.1%, other 8.8%).
Related ethnic groups
Native Hawaiians, Māori, Samoans, other Melanesian peoples, Polynesian peoples, other Austronesian peoples

Fijian people are the major indigenous people of the Fiji Islands, and live in an area informally called Melanesia. The Fijian people 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, Fijians constituted slightly more than half of the Fijian population. Indigenous Fijians are predominantly of Melanesian extraction, with some Polynesian admixture. Other ethnic groups in Fiji include Indo-Fijians, the Rotuman people, and minority communities, which include Caucasians, Chinese, and other Pacific Islanders.

New Zealand has a large Fijian population, according to the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs. In 2001, Fijian people 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.^[6]

The Bose Levu Vakaturaga (Great Council of Chiefs) once passed laws and regulations governing the Fijian people. Today, the Great Council of Chiefs meets yearly to discuss Fijian concerns. The council is responsible for appointing the Fijian president. The council is made up of 55 chiefs selected from the 14 provinces. Included in the council are three appointees from the island of Rotuma and six appointed by the Minister of Fijian Affairs. The Minister of Fijian Affairs consults with the Fijian president as part of the selection process. Finally, former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka serves a lifetime appointment on the council.^[7]

Characteristics[link]

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.^[7]

Yaqona, otherwise known as kava, another important traditional and religious 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 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.^{[citation needed]}

The Fijian language belongs to the Central Pacific - Fijian - Polynesian branch of the Austronesian family.^{[citation needed]}

About 86 percent of the land in Fiji is owned by indigenous Fijian people.^[8] In 1876, Sir Arthur Hamilton-Gordon, the British colonial Governor, prohibited the sale of Fijian land to non-ethnic Fijians. This policy has been continued, hardly modified, to this day^{[citation needed]} The Governor also banned the exploitation of Fijians as laborers, and in 1878 imported indentured laborers from India to work in the sugarcane fields. The effects of this immigration created an ethnic polarization which has proved culturally and politically challenging to modern Fiji.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

Approximately 70% of Fijians are farmers, many of which are sustenance farmers. They commonly grow such crops as sugar cane, cassava, rice, sweet potatoes, and bananas.^{[citation needed]}

Guard outside the presidential palace in Suva, 2003

Historically, Fijians were known^{[by whom?]} as the canoe building experts of the Pacific, using them to trade with Tonga. They were usually double canoes, each side similar except one was shorter and served as a type of outrigger. They are united by beams, with a platform on it that extended beyond the sides.^{[citation needed]}

The article on the History of Fiji offers a time line of events.

The Lapita people, named after their distinctive pottery style, were the first people to inhabit Fiji in about 3000BC, and evidence of their settlement exists throughout Fiji, particularly around the Sigatoka Sand Dunes. They were followed by the Melanesians in about 500 BC, and relatively recent trading with the Polynesian Tongans has added to the cultural mix. In the Lau group of islands, aspects of both cultures still intermingle. 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 (Eastern Fiji) 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.

From the early 19th century, both European and Chinese traders visited Fiji for its sandalwood, hardwoods, beche-de-mer, marinelife and, more recently, gold. The British ruled Fiji from 1874 to 1970. In 1970, Fiji became a fully independent nation with constitutional arrangements to ensure that traditional Fijian interests were preserved

His Royal Highness Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, sent the Instruments of Independence to Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. They were received on October 10, 1970. In 1972, the first general elections were held using the 1970 constitution. In 1987, two coups were staged. The first coup was a bloodless military coup. The second coup severed ties with the British Monarchy. In 1990, a new constitution was adopted and in 1992 the first general election using the new constitution was held. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. Re-elected in May 2006, Qarase was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, who initially appointed himself acting president, but in January 2007 became interim prime minister. ^{[9] [10]}

Fijian family and customs[link]

See main on Fijian traditions and ceremonies and Culture of Fiji.

The Fijian traditions and ceremonies are historically based and share commonalities throughout the provinces.

Name[link]

In August 2008, shortly before the proposed People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress was due to be released to the public, it was announced that it recommended a change in the name of Fiji's citizens. If the proposal were adopted, all citizens of Fiji, whatever their ethnicity, would be called "Fijians". At present, the word "Fijian" does not denote a nationality, and refers exclusively to indigenous Fijians. Citizens of Fiji are referred to as "Fiji Islanders". The proposal would change the English name of indigenous Fijians from "Fijians" to itaukei, the Fijian word for indigenous Fijians.^[11] Deposed Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase reacted by stating that the name "Fijian" belonged exclusively to indigenous Fijians, and that he would oppose any change in legislation enabling non-indigenous Fijians to use it.^[12]

See also[link]

Fiji portal

• Fijians in the United Kingdom

References[link]

• De Ricci, James Herman (1875). Fiji: Our New Province in the south Seas. London: E.Stanford. p. 332. OCLC 4803267. 
• Ravuvu, Asesela (1983). Vaka i Taukei: The Fijian Way of Life, Suva: University of the South Pacific
• Williams, Thomas; James Calvert & George Stringer Rose (1858). Fiji and the Fijians. 1, The islands and their inhabitants. London: Alexander Heylin. p. 266. OCLC 19529801. 

External links[link]

• Fijian National Government (in English)
• The World Factbook: Fiji by CIA
• FijiTuwawa: The fiji online community
• Fiji Times
• Fiji Daily Post
• Village Homestays in a Fijian Village
• Rotuma from MSN Encarta (Archived 2009-10-31)
• Google Books Rotuma
• Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs New Zealand

This list comprises Fijian citizens, and some foreigners associated with Fiji. For the sake of size, persons who could be listed under multiple categories should generally be listed only under the category for which they are best known.

The term Fijian is used here in a national rather than an ethnic sense.

Academic leaders[link]

• Rajesh Chandra, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fiji.
• Brij Lal, historian.
• Paresh Narayan, Fiji-born Australian academic.
• Sarojini Pillay, Registrar of the University of Fiji.
• Swami Rudrananda, founder of the Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam.
• Savenaca Siwatibau, academic leader; Vice-Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific. (1940–2003)

Activists[link]

• Shamima Ali, political activist and women's rights campaigner.
• Sharon Baghwan-Rolls, political activist and women's rights campaigner.
• Angie Heffernan, political activist.
• wyatt cartwright, psychotherapist and social commentator.
• Jiko Luveni, dentist and AIDS campaigner.
• Anirudh Singh, opposed the imposition of the 1990 constitution.
• Suliana Siwatibau, political activist.

Business people[link]

• Imraz Iqbal, political activist, businessman, former journalist.
• Hari Punja, business tycoon (born 1937).
• Ballu Khan, business tycoon.
• Shivlal Nagindas, Labasa businessman and former Senator.
• Josateki Nawalowalo, businessman and Chairman of the Kadavu Provincial Council.
• Dixon Seeto, business tycoon and President of the Chinese Association of Fiji.
• Mere Samisoni, business woman and Member of Parliament.
• Ram Singh, India-born businessman.
• Rajnesh Singh, businessman and technologist.
• Davila Toganivalu, businesswoman and newspaper publisher.
• Sangeeta Niranjan: businesswoman.
• Taito Waradi, President of the Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• Sunil Sharma, Partner at Aliz Pacific, one of the leading accounting firms in Fiji and is Secretary/Treasurer of Suva Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• Praveen Kumar, Now works in London Ontario Canada. Owns various amount of properties. Owns a Howard Johnson. From Nadi, Fiji.

Chiefs[link]

Note: for the sake of size, the following list of chiefs excludes chiefs who are listed in other categories, such as politicians, etc.

• Meli Bolobolo, Tui Navitilevu, a High Chief of Ra Province.
• Epenisa Cakobau, Bauan chief.
• Ateca Ganilau: Fijian public figure.
• Dranivia, Lauan chief.
• Epeli Kanakana, Fijian chief (Tui Suva).
• Aisea Katonivere, Tui Macuata (paramount chief of Macuata).
• Kavu Iloilo, First Lady (2000–present).
• Penaia Kadavulevu, Vunivalu of Bau (1901–1914).
• Laufitu, Lauan chieftainess.
• Asenaca Mara, Lauan chieftainess.
• Litia Mara Dugdale, Lauan chieftainess.
• Elenoa Mara-Rasova, Lauan chieftainess.
• Joni Madraiwiwi I, chief (1859–1920).
• Litiana Maopa, Bauan chief; grandmother of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara.
• Matawalu, Lauan chief.
• Epeli Nailatikau I (1842–1901), Vunivalu of Bau.
• Niumataiwalu, founder of the Vuanirewa dynasty in the Lau Islands.
• Rasolo, first Tui Nayau.
• Maculeku Rokocegu, Tui Dreketi.
• Joana Rokomatu, Tui Sigatoka.
• Popi Seniloli, Vunivalu of Bau (1914–1936).
• Sivoki, Lauan chieftainess.
• Soroaqali, Lauan chief.
• Jovesa Sovasova, Tui Vitogo (1942–2005)
• Taliai Tupou, Tui Nayau (d. 1875).
• Tarau of Tovu Totoya, Fijian chieftainess.
• Udre Udre, 19th century cannibal.
• Alifereti Finau Ulugalala, Tui Nayau (d. 1934)
• Uluilakeba I, successor to Rasolo (q.v.) as Tui Nayau, but not so installed.
• Nemia Vainitoba, "kingmaker" of Nadi.
• Elenoa Vavaitamana, Tui Vabea (Kadavu chieftainess).
• Tanoa Visawaqa, Vunivalu of Bau (1800s).
• Vuetasau, Lauan chief.

Civil servants[link]

• Rodney Acraman, Ombudsman and Chairman of the Fiji Human Rights Commission (December 2006–present).
• Meli Bainimarama, CEO of Fijian Affairs Board (December 2006-January 2007; subsequently reemployed as an advisor to the board).
• Joseph Browne, civil servant.
• Hector Hatch, former Chairman of the Public Service Commission.
• Stuart Huggett, former Chairman of the Public Service Commission.
• Anare Jale, Chief Executive Officer of the Public Service Commission; former Ambassador to the United States.
• Lesi Korovavala, Chief Executive Officer of the Home Affairs Ministry.
• Joji Kotobalavu, Chief Executive Officer of the Prime Minister's Department.
• Viliame Naupoto, Former Navy Commander; Director of Immigration from January 2007.
• Litia Qionibaravi, Chief Executive Officer of the Fijian Affairs Board.
• Rishi Ram, Chairman of the Public Service Commission and former Ambassador to Japan.
• Peter Ridgeway, former Deputy Director of Prosecutions.
• Shaista Shameem, director of the Fiji Human Rights Commission.
• Aisea Taoka, Commissioner of Prisons.
• Sakiusa Tuisolia, former Chief Executive Officer of Airports Fiji Limited.
• Tevita Vakalalabure, Senator, President of the Senate, member of the Great Council of Chiefs, member of House of Representatives, Vunivalu of Natewa.
• Rakuita Vakalalabure, Deputy Speaker of the House, member of House of Representatives of Fiji

Cultural figures (actors, musicians, etc.)[link]

• Lagani Rabukawaqa, musician.
• Rebecca Singh, television news presenter. Now based in New Zealand.
• Laisa Vulakoro, singer.
• The Island Warrior, Actor.
• Mike Howlett, Musician.
• Cassius Khan Internationally renowned Indian Classical Tabla player/Ghazal exponent based in Vancouver, Canada

Diplomats[link]

• Poseci Bune, diplomat and politician.
• George Konrote, diplomat and politician; Rotuman.
• Epeli Nailatikau, Minister for Foreign Affairs (January 2006–present) and former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
• Satya Nandan, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority (1996–present).
• Isikia Savua, diplomat and former Police Commissioner.
• Kaliopate Tavola, Minister for Foreign Affairs (2000–2006) and former Ambassador to Belgium.
• Jesoni Vitusagavulu, businessman and diplomat, Ambassador to Washington (2005).
• Jeremaia Waqanisau, career soldier and diplomat; Ambassador to China.

Jurists[link]

• Daniel Fatiaki, Chief Justice (since 2002).
• Anthony Gates, Acting Chief Justice (since 16 January 2007).
• Sailosi Kepa, judge, diplomat, cabinet minister, ombudsman (1938–2004).
• Naomi Matanitobua, Chief Magistrate.
• Ghananand Mishra, jurist (1916–2005).
• Sekove Naqiolevu, judge.
• Nazhat Shameem, judge.
• Ajit Swaran Singh, Fiji-born New Zealand judge.
• Timoci Tuivaga, Chief Justice (1974–2002).

Lawyers[link]

• Rajendra Chaudhry, lawyer.
• Manilal Doctor - Indian-born lawyer.
• Imrana Jalal - lawyer and civil servant.
• Iqbal Khan, controversial Fijian lawyer.
• Graeme Leung, former President of the Fiji Law Society.
• Dorsami Naidu, lawyer and former National Federation Party President.
• Tupou Draunidalo, vice-President of the Fiji Law Society.
• Richard Naidu, lawyer.
• Nainendra Nand, former Solicitor-General of Fiji.
• Serupepeli Naqase, NLTB lawyer.
• S.B. Patel, Indian born lawyer.
• Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, lawyer and interim Attorney-General of Fiji (2007)
• Devanesh Sharma, President of the Fiji Law Society.
• Bharat Parshotam, Principal of Parshotam & Co.

Military leaders[link]

• Frank Bainimarama, Military Commander and interim Head of State (2000; 2006–2007); interim Prime Minister of Fiji (2007–present). Coup leader 2006-
• Jone Baledrokadroka, Lieutenant Colonel and former Acting Land Force Commander.
• Pita Driti, Land Force Commander (as of early 2007).
• Francis Kean, Navy Commander (as of early 2007).
• Neumi Leweni, Army spokesman.
• Tevita Mara, Army Major; Army Chief of Staff from February 2006.
• Viliame Naupoto, Former Navy Commander; Director of Immigration from January 2007.
• Sitiveni Rabuka, 1987 coup leader, later Prime Minister (1992–1999).
• Orisi Rabukawaqa, Army spokesman.
• Meli Saubulinayau, senior Army officer.
• Viliame Seruvakula, Army officer, who led the counteroffensive against the Queen Elizabeth Barracks mutiny of 2 November 2000.
• Sefanaia Sukanaivalu, war hero (Second World War).
• Esala Teleni, Naval Captain and Deputy Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (2007–present).
• Jeremaia Waqanisau, career soldier and diplomat; Ambassador to China.Deepal