Fijians

Fijians are the people of Fiji, an island nation in the South Pacific. The term commonly refers to the indigenous iTaukei, who are of Melanesian origin, as well as other residents who identify as Fijian. The iTaukei form the historic core of the population, inhabiting the archipelago’s main islands, including Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.

In addition to the indigenous iTaukei, Fiji has a significant Indo-Fijian community descended from Indian contract laborers brought in during the 19th and early 20th centuries, along with smaller numbers of Europeans, Chinese, and Pacific Islanders.

English is an official language alongside Fijian (iTaukei) and Fiji Hindi. Many Indo-Fijians speak Fiji Hindi, while iTaukei communities primarily use the Fijian language. Christianity is the most widely practiced religion among indigenous Fijians; Hinduism and Islam are common among Indo-Fijians; a range of beliefs exists across communities.

The iTaukei traditional social system centers on kinship groups called mataqali within the vanua, or the concepts of land, people, and identity. Cultural practices include ceremonies such as the kava drinking ritual, traditional dances (meke), weaving, and carving. Rugby union is a major sport nationwide.

Fiji was settled by Melanesian peoples centuries ago, with sustained contact from Europeans beginning in the 17th–18th centuries. It became a British colony in 1874 and gained independence in 1970. The country has experienced political upheaval, including coups in 1987 and 2000, followed by constitutional reforms and periodic elections since 2014.