Resources from Pearl Linguistics

FIJIAN Facts & Figures

Size: 7,056 square miles

Population: 849,000

Capital: Suva

Currency: Fijian dollar

Weather / Climate:

Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the more developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Natural resources include timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil and hydropower. Fiji experienced a period of rapid growth in the 1960s and 1970s but stagnated in the 1980s. The coup of 1987 caused further contraction.

Economic liberalization in the years following the coup created a boom in the garment industry and a steady growth rate despite growing uncertainty of land tenure in the sugar industry. The expiration of leases for sugar cane farmers (along with reduced farm and factory efficiency) has led to a decline in sugar production despite a subsidized price. Subsidies for sugar have been provided by the EU and Fiji has been the second largest beneficiary after Mauritius.

Urbanization and expansion in the service sector have contributed to recent GDP growth. Sugar exports and a rapidly growing tourist industry — with 430,800 tourists in 2003[50] and increasing in the subsequent years — are the major sources of foreign exchange. Fiji is highly dependent on tourism for revenue. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity. Long-term problems include low investment and uncertain property rights. The political turmoil in Fiji has had a severe impact on the economy, which shrank by 2.8% in 2000 and grew by only 1% in 2001.

The tourism sector recovered quickly, however, with visitor arrivals reaching pre-coup levels again during 2002, which has since resulted in a modest economic recovery. This recovery continued into 2003 and 2004 but grew by 1.7% in 2005 and grew by 2.0% in 2006. Although inflation is low, the policy indicator rate of the Reserve Bank of Fiji was raised by 1% to 3.25% in February 2006 due to fears of excessive consumption financed by debt. Lower interest rates have so far not produced greater investment for exports.

Taken from:www.wikipedia.com

FIJIAN languages

Fiji has three official languages under the 1997 constitution; English, Fijian and Hindustani. Fijian is a spoken either as a first or second language by indigenous Fijians who make up around 54% of the population. Fijians of Indian descent make up a further 37%, mainly speaking Hindustani (Urdu and Hindi), whose local variant is known as Fiji Hindi. English, a remnant of British colonial rule over the islands, was the sole official language until 1997 and is widely used in government, business, and education as a lingua franca; considerable business is also done in Fijian, especially away from larger town centers.

A small number of other indigenous East Fijian and West Fijian regional languages are spoken on the islands, standard Fijian belonging to the East Fijian group. Rotuman and Chinese are also spoken by immigrant populations.

Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Fiji

FIJIAN culture

The 800-plus volcanic and coral islands that make up the Pacific nation of Fiji enjoy a tropical climate and host a significant tourism industry. However, since 1987 racial and political tensions have been a steady source of instability and international isolation.

Fiji has come a long way since the days of being referred to as the ‘Cannibal Isles’ by European sailing ships, back when mariners carefully avoided its shores because of its fierce warriors and treacherous waters. The first inhabitants came from Melanesia, some 3500 years ago, and established a hierarchical society based on clans. Little is known of the islanders' history before the arrival of Europeans in the mid-17th century. The establishment of plantations destabilised the economy resulting in serious friction between the Fijians and Europeans.

In 1874, Fiji became a British colony. Large numbers of workers from India were imported to develop a plantation economy, accounting for the islands' present ethnic mix. After gaining independence in 1970, the moderate conservative Alliance Party governed without interruption.

In 1987 a coup by indigenous Fijians overthrew the elected, Indian-dominated coalition. This triggered a series of adverse events, including the introduction - and subsequent withdrawal - of a constitution enshrining indigenous Fijian political supremacy. A further coup in 2000, led by businessman George Speight, saw the country's first ethnic Indian prime minister, his cabinet and several MPs held hostage for several weeks.

These events caused great harm to the economy - the tourism industry in particular - and Fiji's international reputation. Rancour over the 2000 coup persisted, with bitter divisions over plans to grant an amnesty to those behind it. The continuing tensions generated by these disputes culminated in a bloodless military takeover in 2006 - Fiji's fourth coup in 20 years. In September 2009, Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth over its lack of progress towards democracy. It was only the second full suspension in the organisation's history.

Fiji's population, which resides mostly on the two main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, is divided between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians, the descendants of indentured labourers brought from India. The two groups were of roughly equal numbers until the mid-2000s, by which time coups and agitation had prompted thousands of Indo-Fijians to flee. Indigenous Fijians now make up small overall majority.

Mixing between the two groups is minimal, and informal segregation runs deep at almost every level of society. There are also very small non-Indo-Fijian, non-Fijian minority communities, such as Chinese and Rotumans.

Although the former British colony relies heavily on the sugar and tourism industries for its foreign exchange, its economy is diverse. Gold, silver and limestone are mined, and there is a strong services sector and some light manufacturing. Nonetheless, Fiji has been hampered by persistent trade and budget deficits, making it one of the world's largest per capita recipients of aid.

A friendly Fijian welcome and broad smiles await you in this tropical paradise of beautiful beaches, blue lagoons and swaying palm trees. Renowned for stunning sunsets, breath-taking waterfalls, awesome surf, and pristine rain forests, Fiji unsurprisingly draws thousands of visitors to its shores each year. The country is a vibrant melting pot of cultures, where East Indian, Polynesian, Melanesia, Chinese and European converge to form a unique cultural medley. English is widely spoken, which means communication is a breeze.

Brimming with colourful attractions, awe-inspiring scenery, friendly people and cultural and sporting activities aplenty, Fiji offers something for everyone. From the wanderlust-suffused traveller to the hedonistic sports junkie, this archipelago at the crossroads of the South Pacific is tourist heaven. And, best of all, there’s an array of accommodation and activities to suit all tastes and budgets.

Methodist and Hindu are the main religions with Roman Catholic and Muslim minorities. The 1997 Constitution of Fiji guarantees freedom of religion. Fijians are a very welcoming people and visitors often experience local hospitality. Informal casual wear is generally acceptable. Before visiting on your own, it is customary to purchase a bundle of unpounded yaqona (kava) - the traditional sevusevu (gift). When approaching the village, visitors should not enter immediately but wait until greeted. They will then be taken to the chief or turaga ni koro (headman), to whom the kava should be offered. Visitors who are accepted by the chief will be assigned a guide and host.

Once inside the village, please also note the following: visitors should dress modestly and not wear shorts or hats, and women should not have their shoulders bare; shoes should always be taken off when entering someone's house or any other village building; visitors should speak softly and not raise their voices too much as this may be interpreted as expressing anger; visitors should show respect but be cautious about praise as Fijians will feel obliged to make a gift of an object if visitors show too much liking for it; Fijians will always, out of custom, ask visitors to stay or eat with them; visitors who spend a night in the village should reward their host with a useful gift of similar value for each member of the party; money is acceptable if it's offered as a goodbye sevusevu and not direct payment.

Holidays

· 01 January – New Year's Day

· 04 February – Birth of the Prophet Muhammad

· April – Good Friday

· April – Easter Saturday

· April – Easter Monday

· 04 May – National Youth Day

· 25 May – Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day

· 14 June – Queen’s Birthday

· 11 October – Fiji Day

· 13 November – Diwali

· 25 December – Christmas

· 26 December – Boxing Day

Taken from:

www.bbc.co.uk

www.worldtravelguide.net

FIJIAN people

Indigenous Fijians, the native inhabitants of Fiji, are a mixture of Polynesian and Melanesian, resulting from the original migrations to the South Pacific many centuries ago. The Indo-Fijian population has grown rapidly from the 61,000 workers brought from India between 1879 and 1916 to work in the sugarcane fields, who later on ended up leasing/owning the sugar cane plantations. Thousands more Indians migrated voluntarily in the 1920s and 1930s and formed the core of Fiji's business class.

In 1977 The Economist reported that ethnic Fijians were a minority of 255,000, in a total population of 600,000 of which fully half were of Indian descent, with the remainder Chinese, European and of mixed ancestry.^[1]

The native Fijians live throughout the country, while the Indo-Fijians reside primarily near the urban centers and in the cane-producing areas of the two main islands. Nearly all of the indigenous Fijians are Christian, with some two-thirds being Methodist. Some 77 percent of the Indo-Fijians are Hindu, with a further 16 percent being Muslim and 6 percent Christian. There are also a few Sikhs.

A national census is supposed to be conducted every ten years. The last was held in 1996, but the census intended for 2006 has been postponed till 2007. Finance Minister Ratu Jone Kubuabola announced on 27 October 2005 that the Cabinet had decided that it would not be in the country's interest to have a census and a general election in the same year. "Peoples’ focus on the elections could have an impact on their cooperation with census officials," he said. The Statistics Office supported Kubuabola's announcement, saying that public interest in the general election would likely distract people's attention from the census, making it problematic to conduct.

Population:827,900

Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 141,779; female 136,212)
15-64 years: 63% (male 263,127; female 262,686)
65 years and over: 4% (male 13,405; female 15,285) (2000 est.)

Population growth rate:1.40% (2006 est.)

Birth rate:23.48 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate:5.78 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Net migration rate:-3.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Infant mortality rate:14.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 estimate)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 67.94 years
male: 65.54 years
female: 70.45 years (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate:2.89 children born/woman (2000 est.) 2.65 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Fijian(s)
adjective: Fijian

Ethnic groups:Indigenous Fijian 57.25% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indo-Fijian 37.64%, European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese in Fiji, and other 5.11%.

Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Fiji

FIJIAN food

The cuisine of Fiji is very complex and reflects culinary influence of different cultures.

The Dutch introduced the local population to the sea cucumbers. The British brought with them the cattle and some exotic plants & fruits from Africa and the Americas. Indian cuisine developed in this country because of the Indian slaves that the British brought here to work on the sugar plantations. It is because of the Indian influence that Fiji cuisine uses many different spices and knows how to cultivate and combine the pulses.

Present day Fiji cuisine is a great mixture of Polynesian, Indian, Melanesian, Chinese and Western cuisine. Some of the most used ingredients in Fiji cuisine are yam, breadfruit, cassava, taro root (dalo) and leaves (rourou). Beef, poultry, pork and seafood are an integral part of Fijian food.

Most of salads, appetizer, soups or beverages are essential. They are prepared with the commonly found fruits such as guava, mango, bananas and pineapple. Alongside with the coconut milk, these fruits can be used to prepare either sweet or salty and spicy dishes.

Generally, a Fijian main course is prepared using meat, poultry garnished with cassava, ortaro and boiled taro leaves. Spices such as ginger, garlic, turmeric, fenugreek, coriander, cumin, Indian-Fiji curries and chilies are added to increase the flavor of any dish.

Fijicuisine uses elements from various cooking traditions borrowed from their neighbors and developed from their own traditional dishes. While there are no specific or unique preparation methods for Fiji cooking, attention to detail is important in the Fiji cuisine. Using the right amount of spices for example is essential - either for spicing up the taste or for coloring the dish. The Fiji cuisine needs diverse cooking equipment set in order to produce the most sophisticated dishes.

The diversity of vegetables and cereals found in Fiji is also noticed in the delicious dishes belonging to their cuisine. The visual attractiveness of the dish is also vital and a balance between colors and proportion differentiates. Each traditional dish has a special cooking method, which is more or less general in all of Fiji's regions. Meat is one of the main elements of most Fiji dishes and cured and smoked hams are often parts of delicious dishes.

The festivals are the occasions to prepare the delicacies of Fijian cuisine. Specific local dishes are served during these festivals. Kokoda, marinated and steamed fish in lime and coconut cream, is one of the delicacies.

Kassaua is another dish served mostly during the festivals. It is made from boiled or baked tapioca and cooked with coconut and mashed bananas with cream. Besides these dishes, festivals are the greatest opportunity for a meat dish made after special recipes and involving many exotic ingredients such as the Indian curry. The Fijians love this kind of food very hot and most of the time served with breadfruit and wine.

Taken from www.gowealthy.com

Places to go in FIJI

Favourite buys are woodcarvings (such as kava bowls), polished coconut shells, woven works (such as mats, coasters, hats, fans and trays), tapa cloth and pearls. Bargaining is not the norm in shops but is expected at handicraft markets. Some shopkeepers will give a discount with large purchases. Duty-free items are available and include electrical goods, pewter, crystal and porcelain.

While many of the resorts and hotels on the islands have discos and live bands to keep crowds going late into the night, the capital city of Fiji, Suva, is at the heart of the country's nightlife. It is dotted with numerous bars, pubs nightclubs in areas such as the stretch from Civic Auditorium to Albert Park and Victoria parade. Most of the nightclubs and pubs in the country are situated within the main business areas or within townships and therefore easy to access. Some of the most popular venues include Traps - one of the liveliest venues around – and the glass-fronted Bad Dog café; a café-bar with a seriously comprehensive beer and wine list.

Pacific Harbour’s Arts Village is a mixture of historical fantasy and contemporary local flavour. Cultural performances include boat tours around the adjacent lagoon, temple and market tours and traditional displays of Fijian fire walking, all guaranteed to induce ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’.

The traditional dance of the indigenous people of Fiji Islands, experiencing a meke is almost unavoidable, particularly if you’re staying at an island resort. Well-known meke types are fan dances performed by women, and spear or club dances performed by men. The locals dress entirely in the national costume of flower leis, grass skirts and tapa cloth. The men perform warrior dances while the women sing.

The Fiji Museum, located in the heart of Suva's botanical gardens, houses an extensive archaeological collection dating back 3,700 years, including cultural objects representing both Fiji's indigenous inhabitants and other communities that have settled in the island group over the past 100 years. Of particular note is the rudder of the HMS Bounty of mutiny fame.

Perched high on a hill overlooking the dusty Kings Road on the north-western side of Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu, The Church of Saint Francis Xavier is a must-visit for its unique marrying of European and Fijian. Straw mats instead of pews meet beautiful frescos, originally commissioned by the former chaplain to the famous Von Trapp family of The Sound of Music fame.

A must-see for culture vultures, Nadi’s Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple is the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere. Illustrating the architectural diversity for which Fiji is well known, the three-part temple is dedicated to the deity Murugan whose statue, specially carved in India, is housed in the main temple.

Many parts of the coast along Viti Levu are covered in mangrove forests. These areas are extremely rich in wildlife and are favourite spots for local fishing. A boat journey through the meandering corridors of the mangrove forests up the Rewa River Delta daily from Nausori makes for an adventurous journey.

NaiheheSacred Caves, situated deep in the Sigatoka Valley, the caves are popular with tourists and locals alike. Once a fortress of Fiji's last pagan tribes, the caves contain a priest chamber, sacred pond and great Cathedral Chamber. The caves are still considered sacred today and locals still frequent to pay tribute to their ancestors.

Scaling Mount Batilamu. Fiji boasts spectacular vistas aplenty, however, for unparalleled views, take a day trip from Nadi or Lautoka to scale the 'sleeping giant', Mount Batilamu. The ascent takes hikers through the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park past tempting waterholes, through small villages, and up to green-swathed, panoramic summits.

Fiji’s hidden hot springs gem is believed by locals to have healing properties. Irrespective of its claims, the three pools, warm mud baths and lush natural backdrop combine to make a seriously relaxing experience.

For peace and tranquillity, the Garden of the Sleeping Giant on the road between Nadi and Lautoka, at the foot of the Sabeto mountains is the place to go. Formally a private orchid garden is now open to the public, beautiful orchids and flowering plants abound here.

Sigatoka sand dunes, one of Fiji's natural highlights, the dunes near the shoreline of the Sigatoka River have been forming for millions of years. Windblown and rugged, these dunes are a far cry from those of the Sahara – the sand is grey-brown in colour and covered with vines and shrubs. The dunes are also one of the largest burial sites in the Pacific.

With all of the crystal clear waters that surround these islands, there is no shortage of water sports to be found. Diving, swimming, snorkelling, surfing, sailing, fishing, water boarding, kayaking, and much more can be found on almost all the Fiji Islands. You can also swim in numerous waterfalls found in the forest, coastal parks and reserves.

Fiji has been called 'the soft coral capital of the world' and few seasoned divers will deny that Fiji has some of the finest scuba diving in the South Pacific. Diving is possible year-round, with the best sites including Beqa Lagoon, Rainbow Reef or the Somosomo Straits with the famous Great White Wall.

A growing number of surfing camps are off southern and western Viti Levu. There's surf throughout the year with the best swells out of the south from March to October. Fiji's waves typically break on coral reefs. Most of the well-known spots are off Viti Levu and can often only be reached by boat.

Mamanuca with ideal water conditions, big waves and a year round breeze makes windsurfing in Fiji amazing. Most resorts offer the sport – with instruction too – but if you’re a pro and are looking for something special, the best windsurfing can be found in the Mamanuca group of islands.

Taveuni has a number of popular trekking trails found all over the island. The Lavena Coastal Walk and Tavoro Falls offer some wonderful hiking opportunities with well signposted tracks to follow. For those who are serious, the Vidawa Forest Walk, the trek up to Lake Tagimaucia and the Des Voeux ascent are particularly challenging climbs.

Watch for fruit bats, parrots and marine turtles. You should also check out the acres of orchids and flowering plants in the Garden of the Sleeping Giant at the foot of the Sabeto Mountains, and the Sigatoka Sand Dunes off the main Queens Highway on Viti Levu.

Taken from www.worldtravelguide.net

Doing business in FIJI

Urbanization and expansion in the service sector have contributed to recent GDP growth. Sugar exports and a rapidly growing tourist industry — with 430,800 tourists in 2003^[50] and increasing in the subsequent years — are the major sources of foreign exchange. Fiji is highly dependent on tourism for revenue. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity. Long-term problems include low investment and uncertain property rights. The political turmoil in Fiji has had a severe impact on the economy, which shrank by 2.8% in 2000 and grew by only 1% in 2001.

However, there has been a housing boom from declining commercial mortgage rates. The tallest building in Fiji is the fourteen-storey Reserve Bank of Fiji Building in Suva, which was inaugurated in 1984. The Suva Central Commercial Centre, which opened in November 2005, was planned to outrank the Reserve Bank building at seventeen stories, but last-minute design changes made sure that the Reserve Bank building remains the tallest.

Trade and investment with Fiji has been criticized due to the country's military dictatorship.^[51] In 2008, Fiji's interim Prime Minister and coup leader Frank Bainimarama announced election delays and that it would pull out of the Pacific Islands Forum in Niue, where Bainimarama would have met with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark.^[52]

The South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPSE) is the only licensed securities exchange in Fiji and is based in Suva. Its vision is to become a regional exchange.

Taken from wikipedia