Fiji

{{cquote
|The thing about impressing your girlfriend is that when you do something like a private island in Fiji, it’s all downhill from that point.
|||[[Kevin Hart]]<ref>https://www.anquotes.com/kevin-hart-quotes/</ref>
}}

[[File:Fiji_(orthographic_projection).svg|thumb|right|195px|Location in Oceania.]]
{{countrybox|Republic of Fiji
Matanitu Tugalala o Viti
फ़िजी गणराज्य



|flag = Flag_of_Fiji.svg
|pop = 926,276
|GDP = 5,511
|GDPPC =$6,024
|life =74 
|dev =  0.729
|dem = 6.24
|cor =46 
|edu =no data
|rel =no data
}}

'''Fiji''' (Hindi: फिजी, Fijian: ''Viti'') is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean, composed of more than 330 islands, with around 110 being inhabited. Located about 1,300 miles northeast of [[New Zealand]], its two main islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu house the majority of the population. The country’s geography features volcanic mountains, tropical rainforests, and coral reefs, offering rich [[biodiversity]] and a tropical climate. Fiji’s islands are scattered across an area of about 18,300 square kilometers (7,100 square miles), making it a significant maritime nation. The capital and largest city is Suva. 

==History==
Fiji’s human history began more than 3,000 years ago with the arrival of Austronesian seafarers, later followed by Melanesians. These early settlers established complex chiefdoms and developed distinctive cultures, including elaborate social hierarchies and warrior traditions. European explorers first sighted the islands in the 17<sup>th</sup> century, with [[Dutch]] navigator Abel Tasman and later [[British]] captain James Cook charting parts of the region. The 19<sup>th</sup> century saw growing European interest&nbsp;— especially among [[missionaries]], traders, and beachcombers. This period was marked by intertribal warfare, partly intensified by access to firearms and external trade. To resolve increasing conflicts and foreign pressures, Fijian chiefs led by Ratu Cakobau ceded sovereignty to the [[United Kingdom]] in 1874, making Fiji a [[British Empire|British colony]].<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/place/Fiji-republic-Pacific-Ocean/History History of Fiji] by Sophie Foster et al., ''Encyclopaedia Britannica''.</ref>

After Fiji was ceded to the United Kingdom in 1874, it became a British crown colony governed through indirect rule. The British preserved the authority of indigenous Fijian chiefs, maintaining communal land ownership and village life under traditional leadership, but limited broader political participation to chiefly [[elite]]s. To support the growing [[sugar]] industry, over 60,000 indentured laborers from [[India]] were brought between 1879 and 1916 under the ''girmit'' (contract labor) system. These workers endured harsh conditions, and while many returned to India, a majority remained, forming what is now the Indo-Fijian community. Indigenous Fijians were largely kept within subsistence village economies, while Indo-Fijians became central to commercial agriculture but were denied land ownership and political representation. This dual system created parallel societies, laying the foundation for Fiji’s enduring ethnic and political divisions. <ref> https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/fiji/ </ref>



==Politics and government==
After gaining independence from the UK on October 10, 1970, Fiji became the Dominion of Fiji, with [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] as head of state and domestic governance managed via a parliamentary system dominated by indigenous Fijian Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara 
[[File:Kamisese_Mara.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Sir Ratu Kamisese Mara, Fiji's First Prime Minister post-independence]]

Fiji functioned as a parliamentary democracy but underlying ethnic tensions between Indigenous Fijians (iTaukei) and the Indo-Fijian population persisted. Before the 1987 coups, Indo‑Fijians  outnumbered iTaukei Fijians, giving them a strong political presence. This helped the National Federation Party and the Fiji Labour Party form a coalition government, which won the 1987 election with broad Indo‑Fijian support. Many iTaukei Fijians feared that a government dominated by Indo‑Fijians could threaten their political power, cultural identity, and control over land. These fears became a powerful mobilising narrative that  would ultimately lead to the 1987 coups.  <ref> https://www3.parliament.nz/en/pb/research-papers/document/00PLLawRP00091/fiji-some-background-informatio </ref>  In 1987, Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka led two military coups, overthrowing the elected government that included a significant Indo-Fijian presence. Rabuka abolished the monarchy and declared Fiji a republic, instituting a constitution that favored Indigenous Fijian political dominance. The ethnic tensions erupted again in 2000, when businessman and nationalist George Speight led a civilian-backed coup, taking Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry—the first Indo-Fijian Prime Minister—and his government hostage for 56 days. Speight was later arrested and convicted for treason and imprisoned until his recent pardon. In 2006, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, commander of the military, staged another coup, citing corruption and discriminatory policies by the Qarase government. Bainimarama suspended the constitution and ruled as interim Prime Minister until elections in 2014, ushering in a new era of military-backed civilian governance. Rabuka later returned to politics as Prime Minister from 1992 to 1999, while Bainimarama remained a central figure until his electoral defeat in 2022.<ref>https://pmn.co.nz/read/pacific-region/fiji-s-coup-legacy-a-38-year-struggle-for-justice-and-accountability</ref><ref>https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/the-truth-about-the-2000-coup-and-mutiny/</ref><ref>https://www.straitstimes.com/world/final-results-due-in-cliffhanger-fiji-election</ref> Bainimarama’s Fiji First Party was deregistered in 2024 and formally dissolved in 2025 after it failed to amend its constitution to meet legal requirements. This failure stemmed from internal disputes and the mass resignation of key leaders, which left the party unable to make the required changes. <ref> https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fijifirst-deregistered/ </ref> <ref> https://judiciary.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/16.10.25-HC-Civil-HBC-318.2025-The-Registrar-of-Political-Parties-v-Fiji-First-Ruling.pdf </ref>

As of 2025, the main political parties in Fiji are the People's Alliance, National Federation Party and Social Democratic Liberal Party.<ref> https://www.parliament.gov.fj/parties/</ref> . The current Prime Minister as of 2025, is once again, '''Sitiveni Rabuka''' - but at least this time he came to power peacefully , he actually stood for an election rather than just storming parliament. That said, Rabuka has apologised to the Indo-Fijian community for his role in the 1987 coup that led to ethnic violence  <ref> https://www.fijivillage.com/feature/Rabuka-apologises-for-the-1987-coup-and-seeks-forgiveness-8fr54x/ </ref>

A  Fiji Truth and Reconciliation Commission was also established in 2024, under the premiership of Sitiveni Rabuka   to inquire into human rights violations during the period of political disturbance following the 1987 Fijian coups d'état, including the subsequent 2000 and 2006 coups d'état and the Bainimarama military regime. <ref> https://fijitrc.org/about-us/ </ref> 

The Republic of Fiji Military Forces furthermore presented a '''matanigasau''' (a traditional apology) to the Great Council of Chiefs, the apex iTaukei body, for its role in past political turmoil, due to the coups. <ref> https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/580156/fiji-military-apologises-to-chiefs-pledge-civilian-supremacy </ref>. However, the military has faced some criticism, as it is yet to offer an apology to the Indo-Fijian community who were the main targets of the coups. <ref> https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/581554/military-apology-to-indo-fijians-long-overdue-fijian-academic-says </ref>

Fiji continues to retain the Union Jack on its flag despite having become a republic and being suspended from the Commonwealth three times <ref> https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/the-suspended-commonwealth-member-fiji/n923i09i4 </ref>


[[File:Mahendra Chaudhry 2015.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Fiji's First Indo-Fijian Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudry (महेंद्र चौधरी) who was ousted in 2000]]

==Racism==
Aside from politics, About 87% of Fiji's land is owned communally by iTaukei and cannot be sold. This has fueled tensions, especially in the agricultural sector, as Indo-Fijian farmers often face short-term leases, limiting investment and insecurity. Almost all Indo-Fijian farmers had to lease land from ethnic iTaukei Fijian landowners. Many Indo-Fijians believed that their dependence on leased land constituted de facto discrimination against them. By law all ethnic iTaukei Fijians are automatically registered upon birth into an official register of native landowners, '''the Vola ni Kawa Bula'''. The register verified access for those in it to communally-owned indigenous lands.<ref>https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/fiji/</ref> By 2025, it was reported that owing to racial discrimination, more than 100,000 Indo-Fijians had left Fiji.<ref>https://www.theaustraliatoday.com.au/fiji-grapples-with-rising-racial-discrimination-as-100000-indo-fijians-have-reportedly-left-the-country/</ref>

Another source of ethnic-tension is the Fijian Military, which has been Itaukei-dominated since its founding. In 2005, then-opposition leader   Mahendra Chaudry revealed, Indo-Fijians made up less than 1% of the Fijian Armed Forces with only 15 indo-fijian soldiers out of the military's 3,527-full time soldiers and called for more Indo-Fijians to be recruited.  <ref> https://www.smh.com.au/world/rumblings-of-a-revolution-20071027-gdrg2f.html </ref> . However, other factors  such as physical requirements and  low salaries, have been attributed to a low indo-fijian makeup in the military. 

Meanwhile, Fiji's [[Methodist]] Church has called for Fiji to abandon [[secularism]] and adopt [[Christianity]] as its [[state religion]].<ref>https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/no-christian-state-rabuka-calls-on-christians-to-live-out-their-faith/</ref> While most iTaukei practice Christianity, most Indo-Fijians practice [[Hinduism]].

[[File:Fiji-0050.JPG|Fiji-0050]|thumb|The burnt out remains of Govinda's Indian Restaurant following the May 2000 hostage crisis and racial riots nationwide.]]

Indigenous Fijians make up 54.3% of Fiji's Population and Indo-Fijians make up about 38.1% of the population.<ref>https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-the-ethnic-composition-of-the-population-of-fiji.html</ref>

==Culture==
Fiji’s cultural landscape is shaped by two vibrant communities whose traditions coexist and interweave. Indigenous iTaukei life centers on village-based communal principles, where hereditary chiefs (''turaga'') lead clan gatherings, and ceremonies like the ''sevu sevu'' (offering prepared [[Purported legal highs#Kava|kava]] root as a welcome), and the ''meke'' dance that tells of ancestral stories through chant, song, and movement. Communal feasts like the lovo, in which meats, fish, and root crops are slow-cooked in an underground oven, are central to celebrations and village gatherings, reinforcing kinship and shared labor. These practices reflect deep respect for land, family, and the “Bula Spirit” of hospitality. Beyond these core communal traditions, iTaukei culture is expressed through arts and crafts, including pandanus weaving for mats and baskets, pottery, and the creation of tapa cloth (masi), a bark cloth decorated with symbolic patterns. These artistic practices are passed down through generations, connecting everyday life with ancestral heritage and community identity. For the Itaukei religion isn’t just something separate you go to on Sundays — it’s woven into everyday life, social structures and how communities understand the world. Today, most iTaukei are Christian, especially under Methodism.  Prior to the introduction of christianity, indigeneous itaukei religion incorporated forms of aminism and shaminism , with '''Bure Kalous''' (Fijian spirit temples) functioning as the places of worship. Meanwhile, the Indo-Fijian community—descendants of 19<sup>th</sup>-century indentured laborers enriches Fiji with culinary staples such as curries, rotis, and dhal as well as religious traditions. Most Indo‑Fijians practise Hinduism, and the islands are home to numerous Hindu temples, such as the ornate Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple in Nadi, which serve as centres for worship, community gatherings and vibrant festivals like Diwali (the Festival of Lights) and Holi (the Festival of Colours). Indo‑Fijians have also brought South Asian musical and dance traditions to Fiji, including instruments like the dholak, harmonium and tabla and dance styles such as Bharatanatyam .  Together, both groups share modern celebrations and marketplaces, creating a dynamic fusion that honors distinct heritages while fostering a shared Fijian identity.<ref>https://www.goway.com/destinations/south-pacific/fiji/culture-and-traditions </ref><ref>https://nelishasingh.wordpress.com/2025/03/20/from-india-to-fiji-a-story-of-struggle-survival-and-identity</ref>
<ref> https://www.fiji.travel/things-to-do/arts/8-fiji-cultural-must-dos? </ref>
<ref> https://fijislands.com/indo-fijian-cultures-impact-on-labasa-traditions/ </ref>






==Languages==
Fiji as per the 1997 constitution and NOT revoked by the 2012 and 2013 constitution's has three official languages&nbsp;— English, Hindi and Fijian.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://constitutionnet.org/sites/default/files/1997_constitution.pdf |title = 1997 Constitution of Fiji }} Chapter 1, Section 4 - (1) The English, Fijian and Hindustani languages have equal status in the State</ref> While two dialects of Hindi are spoken in Fiji. Standard Hindi is the official formal language, while Fiji Hindi is used informally.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1328357.pdf |title = Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies , eric.ed.gov}}  The role of Standard Hindi and Fiji Hindi in Fiji's ethnic indian communities and curriculums in schools.</ref> <ref> https://www.fijivillage.com/news-feature/Govt-will-not-force-any-hindu-organisation-run-school-to-teach-Fiji-Hindi-to-their-students---PM-2rk95s/ </ref>

Fiji is also a member of the World Hindi Secretariat alongside the nations of [[India]] , [[Mauritius]] , [[Suriname]] and [[Nepal]] and was the co-host of the 12th world Hindi conference. <ref> https://www.foreignaffairs.gov.fj/opening-ceremony-of-the-12th-world-hindi-conference/ </ref>

Orthographically, the Fijian language (the standard version based on the Bau dialect)<ref> https://localizely.com/language-code/fij/ </ref> is written in a Latin‑based script, while Hindi in Fiji is written in the Devanagari script. However, the Fijian government has also at times published statements in Hindi using the Latin script. <ref> https://www.fiji.gov.fj/Media-Centre/Speeches/Vernacular </ref>


English is the lingua franca and the most widely used language, however Fijian and Hindi also have uses in both official and non-official capacities.<ref>https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/use-of-vernacular-in-parliament/</ref>
[[File:Tsunami Suva MatthiasSuessen-8565.jpg|thumb|A tsunami warning sign in English, Fijian and Hindi in Suva, Fiji's Capital City.]]

Furthermore, Rotuman is an additional official language in the dependency of Rotuma. However, it is an endangered language with only 4,000-speakers despite some efforts being undertaken to revive it.  <ref> https://hub.localazy.com/en/languages/rtm-rotuman </ref>
While Fijian and Rotuman, share some common pacific ancestry, with both belonging to the Austronesian language family, they are not mutually intelligible due to varying vocabularies, phonological systems, and structures.



==Economy==
Fiji’s economy is a diverse mix of agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and services. Tourism is the largest contributor, accounting for about 40% of GDP and providing significant employment, thanks to Fiji’s natural beauty and resort islands. The sugar industry, historically a backbone of the economy, remains important but has declined due to global market pressures and challenges within the sector. Fiji also exports [[gold]], [[fish]], and bottled water, while remittances from overseas Fijians add to the economy’s resilience. Despite political disruptions over past decades, Fiji has shown steady economic growth and is considered one of the more developed Pacific island economies.<ref>https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/fiji/overview </ref> <ref> https://www.finance.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Fact-Sheet-Tourism.pdf </ref> <ref> https://www.fiji.gov.fj/Media-Centre/News/STATEMENT-FROM-THE-MINISTRY-OF-FINANCE</ref>

The official currency is the Fijian Dollar. 

[[File:WG Plaza Tower Suva 2023.jpg|thumb|right|165px|WG Friendship Tower in Suva]]
[[File:Fiji-Dollar.jpg|thumb|right|165px| 5 dollar fijian note]]
== Space exploration ==
Fiji hosts a few tracking and telemetry command centres to observe the [[Sun]].<ref>https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/scientists-here-to-set-up-temporary-centre/</ref><ref>https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/isro-eyes-fiji-islands-other-places-for-aditya-l1-temporary-tracking-station/articleshow/97187619.cms</ref> These facilities play a key role in monitoring solar activity such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can impact satellite communications, GPS navigation, and power grids throughout the Pacific region. Operated in cooperation with regional and international space agencies, including the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), these centres contribute data to global space weather monitoring networks, helping to forecast and mitigate the effects of solar storms. Although Fiji does not currently have its own space launch capabilities or satellite manufacturing industry, it participates in regional efforts to enhance space science and technology through partnerships with agencies such as ISRO and the Australian Space Agency.

[[File: Nadi Airport - International Departures 2.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Nadi International Airport, Fiji's main and largest airport]]
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==References==
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[[Category:Oceanian countries]]

Categories: Oceanian countries