Fijian people

The Fijians speak Fiji and are among the oldest peoples of Polynesia.

In Census 2007 837.271 inhabitants were counted in Fiji, of which 475 739 Fijians, Fiji Indians and 313 798 47 734 others. As official languages ​​Fiji, English and Hindustani are officially in use.

The people of Fiji wandered around 3,500 years ago from western Melanesia. Later they moved also to the other surrounding islands Rotuma, Tonga and Samoa. You have already settled in the centuries before the Christian era in the Tonga Archipelago. In the past, the Tongans maintained a powerful fleet, which consisted of large double hull boats with up to several hundred -man crew and served for defense and conquest purposes. In order for the thousand kilometers away, Samoa was about 600 AD conquered and some four hundred years kept tribute. Other islands were subjected. Because of their pottery coastal Fijians were also called Lapita people.

The Great Council of Chiefs ( Great Council of Chiefs) adopted annually laws and regulations. The Council is responsible for appointing the President. The Council consists of 55 chiefs who are elected from the 14 provinces. Included in the Council are the three representatives appointed by the island of Rotuma and six by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall consult with the President of Fiji as part of the selection process.

Around 86 percent of Fijians are of indigenous origin. Under the British colonial power, the people were exploited and worked in the sugar cane fields. 1878, the exploitation was banned by the governor.

Indigenous Fijians are mostly Christian, with the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma has about 66 % of the population to Christianity. Other major denominations are the Roman Catholic Church, the Assemblies of God and the Seventh- day Adventist Church.