adi peci is a famous poet in fiji these are some poems that he wrote: peace, christmas, and more

Fiji Clothing gives the complete description of this beautiful country and its lifestyle. Fiji is climatically very soothing as it has tropical climate and moderate temperatures so the Fiji clothing is itself very cool and light. Clothing in Fiji is mostly smart and casual rather than being elaborate. Fijians are cool and casual dresser and generally prefer light dressing in any time of the day. The Fiji Attire is unique and versatile and one dress can be worn out in many different forms especially among the women folk and they are the trend setter of Fiji Clothing. Traditional Fiji Clothing is known as “Sulu” and it’s very handy and is quite similar to pareau or sarong. One dress can be worn at least in ten different forms and are worn by both men and women. The material is very light and Fiji men wear these skirts to schools, events, and workplace and also prefer them on special occasions. Women mostly wear skirts and the elder ladies prefer floor length skirts. Short length skirts and dresses are the choice of the young ladies. Fiji Clothing is a perfect display of the Fiji Culture and they are versatile in their own ways and they maintain both the modernity and traditional sense very perfectly

Fiji is a South Pacific island nation consisting of over 350 islands and islets, of which approximately 100 are inhabited. Its capital is Suva. On December 5, 2006, in the fourth coup since 1987, the commander of Fiji’s military forces deposed the lawfully elected government of Fiji. The military established the current, unelected interim government. The interim government has ruled by decree since it abrogated the constitution in reaction to an April 10, 2009, high court ruling that declared the interim government illegal. Tourism is a major industry, with a full range of facilities available.

Prior to the introduction of Christianity and other belief systems, Fijian religion could be classified in modern terms as forms of animism and divination which strongly affected every aspect of life.
Fiji today is generally considered a Christian nation, as it is the dominant belief system. There are various denominations in Fiji, the majority being Methodist. There are also various Eastern religions in existence: the Hindu faith, Islam, and Sikhism among others. Fiji has many public holidays as it acknowledges the special days held by the various belief systems, such as Easter and Christmas for the Christians, Deepawali for the Hindus, Eid for the Muslims, among other holidays.every religon is in fiji they dont have there own religon.

FIJI MAP AND FLAG

The Union Jack (upper left), is representative of the country's long association with Great Britain. The flag's blue field is symbolic of the surrounding Pacific Ocean. The coat of arms display a golden British lion holding a coconut, as well as panels displaying a palm tree, sugar cane, bananas and dove of peace.

FIJI MUSIC

The music of Fiji represents the indigenous tradition along with those of India, China, Europe and other Pacific islands. Fijian music styles and structures include and combine Polynesian and Melanesian music with the variation in style between one area and another.

Fijians play both indigenous instruments as well as the guitar, ukulele and mandolin. Several kinds of lali drums are the main indigenous instruments. They were formerly a means of communication, announcing events of social significance, such as wars, victories, births and deaths, each of which was announced by their own distinctive rhythmic patterns. Today, the large lali are used to call people to church or for calling them together. The lali are made of hardwood, shaped and hollowed out to produce a deep resonance, which can be heard of a distance of eight kilometres. A smaller type of lali, the lali ni meke is used to accompany chanting and dances. The lali ni meke is 75-100 cm long, and tapered at either end with a rectangular block cut out of the central portion. In addition, the derua (bamboo stamping tubes) of varying lengths are beaten on the ground or on mats. Sometimes, clapping is used to accompany the derua in providing the rhythmic basis of traditional Fijian music.





Many different genres in Fijian music are all part of the social fabric and are predominantly indigenous. Perhaps the most complex form of Fijian music is the meke in which voices and dance are combined. Different types of meke include the war dance, men's club dance, men's spear dance, as well as the men's or women's fan dance, women's standing dance and the sitting dance performed by men or women. All these meke are group dancers in which the overall appearance and group co-ordination are important. Men's dance movements are vigorous and virile while women's are controlled and graceful with lots of hand and body movements.


Methods of composition in Fiji vary greatly. Some music is composed in much the same way as western music. Composition in the traditional manner, however, follows certain ritual patterns. Only the dau ni vucu, who follow a priest like ritual are entitled to compose. The dau ni vucu, is the most important man in a meke. He is responsible for all aspects of the meke - music, poetry, dance, accompanying instruments and costumes - and for teaching all aspects of the meke.

The Fijian music featured on Pacific Islands Radio features traditional singing accompanied by lali and derua, clap sticks and the clapping of hollowed hands as well as occasional ukuleles. The music represents a mix of war songs, spear dances and some of the very gentle female meke, depicting ancient stories and folk songs.
In addition, Pacific Islands Radio also features the beautiful harmonies and rhythms of contemporary music from Fiji in which the traditional music is given a refreshing and modern stylistic presentation.

The country's literacy rate is high - 87%. Education is not compulsory but almost all of the children attend primary school and most finish lower secondary education.

fiji's history

Fijian legend says the great chief Lutunasobasoba led his people across the seas to the new land of Fiji. Most authorities agree that people came into the Pacific from Southeast Asia via the Malay Peninsula. The Melanesians and the Polynesians mixed to create a highly developed society long before the Europeans arrived.

The Europeans discovered the Fiji group accidentally. The first of these discoveries was made in 1643 by the Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman and English navigators, including Captain James Cook who sailed through in 1774, and made further explorations in the 18th century. Captain William Bligh got most of the credit for the discovery of the islands. The first Europeans to land and live among the Fijians were shipwrecked sailors and runaway convicts from the Australian penal settlements. Cannibalism practiced in Fiji at that time quickly disappeared as missionaries gained influence.

The original people of Fiji are now called "Lapita people" after a type of fine pottery they produced, which have been found in nearly all the islands of the Pacific, east of New Guinea, though not in eastern Polynesia. Unlike the islands of Polynesia which showed a steadily changing culture from initial occupation, Fiji appears to have undergone at least two periods of rapid culture change in prehistoric times. This may have been due to the arrival of fresh waves of immigrants, presumably from the west.

Fiji does exhibit certain traits that sets it apart from its neighbours, and it is this that defines a distinctive Fijian culture. They were described as formidable warriors and ferocious cannibals, builders of the finest vessels in the Pacific, but not great sailors. They inspired awe among the Tongans, and all their manufactures, especially bark-cloth and clubs, were highly esteemed and much in demand.

For over 50 years, Fijian culture enjoyed what has been called its ‘golden age’, as tools and weapons brought by traders were turned by resourceful chiefs to their own advantage. Canoes and houses were built, and wars fought on a large scale without precedent. Gradually and inevitably, however, the Fijian way of life was changing. As Christianity spread in the islands, wars stopped quickly and western clothing was chosen, like us.

Fiji developed a major sugar industry and established productive copra milling, tourism and secondary industries. As the country now diversifies into small-scale industries, the economy is strengthened and revenues provide for expanded public works, infrastructure, health, medical services and education. They live in villages and do things on a communal basis. The Indians have also regarded Fiji as their home. Most of them are descendants of labourers brought to the country from India to work in the sugar plantations about 100 years ago under the indentured labour system. Although they were offered help to return to India after their term, most preferred to stay. And through the years they have continued to work the land, becoming prominent in agriculture and also commerce. There has been some intermarriage, but this has been minimal. However, Indians living in the rural areas have adapted well, some even speaking the local dialect and mixing well with the Fijians. As a country, Fiji is rural based with about 60 per cent of the population living in the rural areas.

Fiji is represented by all the major religions of the world. This is quickly obvious to the visitor who will see Christian churches, Mosques, Sikh and Hindu temples in towns and the countryside. More than half of Fiji’s population are Christians (52.9%), Hindus (38.1%), Muslim (7.8%), Sikhs (0.7%), Others (0.5%).

LanguageEnglish is the lingua franca, but Fijian and Hindi are also taught in schools as part of the school curriculum. Indigenous Fijians have their own dialects and you can tell where one comes from, from their dialect. Indians too have their own, and generally speak a distinctive Fiji-Hindi dialect. This is not the same as the one spoken in India.

The Fijian cuisine consists of food from the Natives and the Indians. Many of the foods prepared by the Natives and Indians share the same ingredients found on the island. These include taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, cassava, coconut, and fish.



"A communal village feast for special occasions such as weddings, festivals or the inauguration of a new chief. Lovo is prepared by digging a large pit and lining it with dry coconut husks. The husks are set on fire, then stones are heaped on top. When the flames from the coconut husks die down, the food is wrapped in banana leaves and lowered into the pit. Meat and fish are always put in first, and the vegetables are put on top. Everything is covered with more banana leaves and stones and left to cook for about 2 ½ hours. When it’s ready, it’s a feast for all!"If you can't escape to Fiji for a Lovo you can make your very own. Just be prepared to dig a hole that is 2 feet deep in your backyard.