welcome to fiji

WELCOME TO FIJI!

"Fiji, where happiness finds you"

Fiji is located in the South Pacific Ocean. It surrounds the Koro Sea about 1,300 miles (2,100 km) north of Auckland, New Zealand.

The archipelago consists of some 300 islands and 540 islets .Of the 300 islands, about 100 are inhabited. The two major islands are: Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.

·         CAPITAL CITY: Suva (on Viti Levu),

·         MOTTO: "Rerevaka na kalou ka doka na Tui" (Fear God and honour the King).

·         CURRENCY: Fiji dollar- 1,783.19 colombian pesos

·         LANGUAGES: English (official), Fijian (official), Fijian Hindi or Fijian Hindustani

·            

Fijian: An Austronesian language, Fijian is spoken by the indigenous inhabitants of Fiji.

Fijian Hindustani : During the colonial rule of Britain in India and Fiji laborers started settling down in Fiji, and the language they spoke was known as Fijian Hindustani.

COMMONWEALTH

10 October 1970

Left in 1987; after a race-based military coup that overthrew the country's first democratically-elected government led by an ethnic Indian.

 rejoined in 1997; suspended on 6 June 2000; as the Commonwealth expressed new concerns about Fiji's commitment to democracy.

 suspension lifted on 20 December 2001; again suspended on 8 December 2006 because of the 2006 Fijian coup d'état.Suspension lifted on 26 September 2014.

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

The structure of the Fijian educational system is divided into primary school, secondary school, and higher education. The language of instruction is English.

The primary school system consists of 8 years of schooling and is attended by children from the ages of 6 to 14 years. Upon completion of primary school, a certificate is awarded and the student is eligible to take the Secondary School Examination.

The University of the South Pacific, called the crossroads of the South Pacific because it serves ten English speaking territories in the South Pacific, is the major provider of higher education. Admission to the university requires a secondary school diploma, and all students must take a one-year foundation course at the university regardless of their major.

ECONOMY

Fiji has a market economy based primarily on tourism and agricultura.

the main cash crop and export is sugar cane. Tourism is the largest foreign-exchange earner and clothing exports grew rapidly from the late 1980s. Other significant activities are gold-mining, fishing and timber production.

Culture  

 

Fiji Religion

As a multi-cultural, multi-racial nation, the people of Fiji follow all the world’s major religions to varying degrees.

As you drive through Fijian towns and countryside, you’ll encounter Christian churches, mosques and Sikh and Hindi temples. Attending one of these Sunday services, even if you aren’t religious, can be a really great way to gain insight into Fijian village culture and the significance of family within the community

Cultural Ceremonies

The Lovo

This is a magnificent feast cooked in the earth. Like a barbeque, the Lovo is a little more smoked, and a very efficient way to cook large quantities of food simultaneously. To hold your own you'll need:

The Meke

Music is woven into the fabric of Fijian life and the Meke embraces traditional song and dance to tell of legends, love stories, history and spirits of the islands. It can vary from blood-curdling spear dances to gentle and graceful fan dances.

Yaqona (Kava)

Yaqona (pronounced yangona) is better known as kava and is Fiji's national drink. It's made from the pulverised root of a member of the pepper family

Fire Walking Ceremony
With origins on the island of Beqa, Fire Walking is an ancient Fijian ritual that legend holds as being given by a god to the Sawau tribe. 

GASTRONOMY

. Kokoda

Similar to ceviche Kokoda is a fish marinated in citrus juices. Made with Mahi Mahi or any other freshly caught local fish, its mixed with coconut cream, onions, tomatoes and chilis​. 

. Rourou

Rourou is Dalo or Taro leaves and is similar to spinach. It can be served in a variety of ways. One popular preparation is to cook it down to a similar consistency as that of cream of spinach (without the cream)​. 


             Coconut Bread​






Nama




Nama are affectionately known as "sea grapes" in Fiji where they are harvested and grown in shallow waters.  It's a signature item at hotel buffets and you can easily find them sold at the local market

PLACES TO VISIT

 Blue Lagoon Cruise: Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands



Kula Eco Park, Viti Levu

COAT OF ARMS 

LISTENING PART