Cannabilism.....Archeological research has shown that while Fiji has been occupied for more than 3000 years cannibalism probably started around 700 years ago. Its start followed a fall in sea level which caused a large amount of reef areas to die off. While no one knows why the people in Fiji took to eating each other; they became famous for it. These were vicious and gruesome times, not only were people killed to be eaten, they were also killed for religious and ceremonial reasons. Human sacrifice was common.
The arrival of missionaries started the decline of the practices of human sacrifice and cannibalism. But its cessation took some time and was dependent upon gaining the support of the major chiefs who often saw their role as being guardians of traditional customs.
People to be eaten were called "bokola". One of the most influential chiefs leading up to the cessation of cannibalism was Ratu Seru Cakobau. Another cannibal was Ratu Udre Udre. He is alleged to have eaten more than 900 people over his lifetime.
Yaqona....The people of Fiji have many cultural backgrounds rooted in faith, ethnicity, location and occupation. But all share a multitude of common bonds of which include their friendliness, love of sport, especially rugby and soccer and in their national drink - yaqona. Yagona is an intoxicant. There are those who do not drink at all and there are those who drink too much.. It is part of a social and cultural way of life. At formal ceremonial functions, weddings, funerals, at workplaces, parties, social gatherings, at home, or visiting friends, yaqona can be found almost everywhere!
Originally brought to Fiji from Vanuata yaqona played and still plays an important ceremonial role in Fijian culture. In former days yaqona was limited to chiefs. Gradually its use spread but within traditional settings. The plant is grown from cuttings and carefully tendered. It requires good soil and ample water. The active ingredient is found in the roots and lower stem of the plant. It is usually grown for at least three years before being carefully removed from the soil so as to not damage the fine roots. The longer the plant grows the bigger the root and the more valuable it becomes. Once removed from the ground the roots and the base of the stem are detached from the rest of the plant. The left over stem is used as cuttings and replanted. The roots, called waka and the base of the stem, called lawena, are then sun dried in preparation for sale, with the wake being the more potent of the two. Yaqona vendors and discerning drinkers know the different types of plant and area in which it was grown from its look and taste and each has a preference.
The dried yaqona is pounded in a metal like mortar by an iron bar called a tabili until it is reduce to a fine powder. The powder is then put into a cloth and mixed with water to release the active ingredient while separating the powder from the drink. The traditional wooden basin that yaqona is mixed in is called a tanoa. Once prepared the yaqona is served in cups called bills. The taste is akin to muddy water! The real purpose of a session round the yaqona tanoa is to relax, be happy, and talk with old friends while making new ones!
Languages of Fiji.....There are three hundred dialects of the Fijian language. Language is one of the tools used by anthropologists to help determine the origins of people. Fiji really is a cosmopolitan place. In addition to the varieties of Fijian there are also spoken and written different versions of Hindi, there is also Urdu, English, Chinese and in some parts Tongan, Samoan and the language of Kiribati. It is compulsory for school children to be taught English, Fijian and Hindi ands most locals are at least partially tri-lingual. "b" is"mb"; "g" is "ng"; "d" is "nd"; "q" is "nag"; "j" is "ch".
Masi and Tabua....They are two defining aspects of traditional Fijian culture. One is Masi, the cloth made from the bark of the paper mulberry tree (broussonetia papyrifera) and the other is Tabua, sperm whales' feet that are considered sacred. While both Masi and Tabua have no real functional use in the modern world they are still highly regarded for their historical and cultural significance and are used in traditional ceremonies. Today, the sale of the Tabua is strictly controlled but the presentation of Tabua is usually considered essential to mark respect on family, or state occasions and usually accompanies a request for marriage, to mark births and to mark the visits of high chiefs or important dignitaries. Masi and Tabua are obvious aspects of Fijian culture. While important in their own right their continued use also keeps alive associated aspects of culture and tradition that are thousands of years old.
People of Fiji.....As far as we know the earliest inhabitants of Fiji arrived at least 3000 years ago. Their ancestors were from South East Asia, proving that the first settlers in Fiji had become great seafaring and voyaging people. At a time before Rome became Rome they had mastered the winds and waves of the greatest ocean of the world to settle here. These people are known to us as the Lapita people, named after the distinctive pottery they made and used by archaeologists to trace their migrations and settlement. Today the population of Fiji is about 830,000 people. Descendants of theses first settlers, indigenous Fijians comprises around 57% of the population. Those of Indian descent make up around 37% while the remaining 6% are Europeans, Chinese and other people of Pacifica.
Fiji's Reefs.....Across the world, coral reefs and fisheries are in crisis. Scientsts estimate that coral cover is declining by 1-2% per year across the Pacific. Meanwhile, some projections indicate that important Pacific fish stocks such as tuna and coral reef associated species may collapse by 2035. We hope not....more about that later.......
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