Indians in Fiji

Fiji is geographically located in the Northeast direction of New Zealand and it takes approximately three hours to travel between the two countries by plane. Unlike New Zealand, which is one of the developed countries in the southern hemisphere, Fiji is relatively small in land size and also in terms of economic development. Indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians (also known as Fiji Indians) are the two dominant ethnic groups in Fiji, where the former consists of around 51 percent of the total population and the latter makes up around 43 percent. The trends of migration from Fiji to New Zealand can be traced back to 1960s when Fiji was working towards independence from Britain, however, the process of migration accelerated in the late 1980s. It was mostly the Fiji Indians emigrating out of Fiji as a result of the bitter conditions, such as racial tensions and discrimination, created by the military coup d’états in the country.…

Fiji, a country and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprises 333 islands and 522 smaller islets (SPC 2008, p.1). Around 106 of these islands are permanently inhabited with the total estimated population of 900,000 (UNDP 2015). An estimate of 49% of the total population live in the rural areas (UNDP 2015), while around 90% of the population in Fiji live in the coastal lowlands area (Nunn et al. 1993). Fiji has a total land area of 18,274 km2, of which 87% is accounted for the two…

In the South Pacific Ocean, about 1,300 miles north of New Zealand, there is a country that is made of 300 islands and 540 islets. These islands combined form the republic of Fiji. Out of all 300 islands, only about 150 are inhabited by humans. The largest island is Viti Levu, also known as Great Fiji, and the capital is Suva. Fiji is a democratic country, with the government system set up very similar to the United States. Sports are also popular in Fiji, such as rugby and soccer. My goal…

Have you ever been asked where your top travel destination is? If you were to ask me that I would say either Fiji or Tahiti. I have always been fascinated with the blue oceans, sandy beaches, and relaxed culture. All cultures are affected by multiple concepts, the Fijian culture is greatly impacted by dance and music, by the specifics of the Meke, and by the movement of the Meke. In Fiji, the impact of dance and music is tremendous on the people. “A community whose very culture is grounded in…

In geography class we have learned so much about so many different and amazing places. The place that I would like to visit the most and really gets my attention is Fiji. To begin with, Fiji has many different flavorful and exotic foods to try. Also, there are many fun and exciting activities for people of all ages to do. Finally, another reason I would like to go to Fiji is because of the tropical climate, and I like being near the beach. As can be seen, there are fun things to do at Fiji…

comes to an end with a picture of Columbus lying on his deathbed, sick, and surrounded by friends, family, and priests. This ending makes readers sympathize for Columbus. It is sad and emotional to see a man being depicted as a national hero to die. The way Zinn ends his first chapter is also in a benevolent way, but with a dark undertone. Zinn discusses how Indian society worked and interacted with each other before the introduction of Europeans. Zinn tells how the Indian people were peaceful…

European exploration began with the desire for trade and to spread religion. Finding the Indians offered them the chance to do both. These people had never seen anything like the Europeans and were mostly receptive to new goods to trade, and were willing to listen to new religious ideas. No one was prepared for the Old diseases that the Europeans brought with them. Disease swept across the continent in the years of European settlement, paving the way for the European dream of controlling the…

This picture of the Indians presents one aspect of their culture in which they might recognize themselves. This is a way of shaping identity or reputation, a good way but there is also a bad way. This happens when Indians confess that: “We didn’t begin that way. We haven’t always been entertainment” but due to the lies and deceit and their effects on the Indian people “we ceased being people and somehow became performers in an Aboriginal minstrel show for whites in North America” (King 68). In…

2.0 Overview of the Indenture System in Fiji Fiji was ceded to Great Britain in 1874 and the first Indian indentured labourers were brought to Fiji in 1879 (Lal, 2004). This new colony of Fiji was in a dire need of economic development so that it could sustain itself in the long run. Fiji’s first governor general, Sir Arthur Gordon, protected the Fijian labourers from commercial employment and believed that Fijians should continue to live in their own traditional surroundings, protected from the…

warfare”, found the Indians style of fighting much too barbaric. Instead of face to face combat, the Indians liked to use surprise tactics and ambushes. Many of the Europeans found this style of fighting cowardly, that they could not face their enemy in combat face to face. But this did not at all halt the use of these “cowardly savages” by either side during the war. The British and French, both found that they would much rather have tomahawks thrown toward the enemy, rather than towards…