1. Brooke Hunt
Sociology A2
7 February 2013

2. History
 Islands known as Cannibal Islands because Fijians
were known as fierce warriors and cannibals.
 Believed, eating the enemy would let them possess
their enemies power.
 However, Fijians later converted to Christianity
and ended cannibalism.

3. Land/Climate
 Located in southwestern Pacific, north of New
Zealand
 More than 300 Islands; 110 inhabited.
 Humid and tropical climate
 Rainy season: Nov. to April
 Annual temp. change: 70 to 86F

4. Population & Lang.
 Three main islands make up the majority of
population.
 English is the official language; Fijian and
Hindustani are widely spoken.

5. Religion
 Religion plays a major role in the lives of Fijians
 Most are Christian; Methodists and Roman
Catholics predominate.
 Indians are either Hindu or Muslim
 Chinese are either Christian or Buddhist
 People often celebrate festivals of other religions

6. Attitudes
 Usually generous, friendly, and easygoing.
 Daily life is relaxed and casual.
 Community is important; for example, a relative or
neighbor can ask for something and it must be
given willingly.
 Although Fijians are peaceful, they remain proud
of their cultural heritage and traditions

7. Appearance
 Wear light, casual clothing throughout year
 Public attire is fairly conservative (No bathing
suits, especially for women)
 Traditional villages, women don’t wear shorts or
pants.
 Everyday clothing for men and women is most
often a colorful toga

8. Greetings
 Most common way to say hello is Bula
(pronounced “mboola”, meaning health)
 Formal meetings, they use a handshake, which can
last a few minutes, as the greeters continue
conversation before letting go.
 Common to address most people by first name
 A person related or having a established
relationship, may be greeted by that relationship.

9. Gestures
 Tilting head down and  Offensive to touch
avoiding eye contact while someone’s head
speaking shows respect.  PDA, even for married
Staring = offensive couples are looked down
 Pointing directly at upon
someone while speaking is
rude.
 Standing with hands on
hips is seen as aggressive
 Pointing bottom of ones
foot is seen as impolite

10. Visiting
 Remove shoes before  Walk in a stooped
entering a home position when others are
 Sitting cross-legged is seated
common in a Fijian  Visits can last a while
home  Impolite to refuse
 A guest sits in place of refreshments
honor
 It is impolite to stand
higher than those who
sit

11. Eating
 Usually no utensils, but  Eat from tin plates and
spoons & forks are bowls
becoming more common  Women & girls usually
in urban areas eat after men & boys
 All meals, cloth is spread  Leafy vegetables, tropical
on mat-covered floor fruits, seafood, chicken,
 Sit cross- pork, beef are eaten in
legged, pray, pass a bowl Fiji.
of water to wash hands
(before and after meal)

12. Lifestyle
 Father is head of the  Traditional home called
home a bure
 Families large and  Furniture is not seen
elderly are usually taken much in Fijian
cared for by their homes, but many
children middle-class families do.
 Subsistence chores are  Dating is usually
shared between men and nonexistent in Fijian
women culture, but Western
influences have changed
that in some areas

13.  The ethnic Fijian man  Sports: rugby, soccer, and
chooses his own wife and cricket are most popular
a ceremony is  Handicraft artists make
held, followed by a feast masi cloth, bowls, and
 Funeral practices vary by mats
ethnic group  Dances are described as
 Many Fijians mourn for legends and historical
100 days, followed by a events
feast  Public holidays: New
Year’s, Easter, Fiji
Day, Christmas, Boxing
Day, & a few others

14. Society
 Farming is the key economic activity for most
Fijians
 Most people travel by open-air bus service than
taxis & private automobiles because it’s less
expensive.
 Free education for grades 1 – 8th; Many schools
operated by religious groups
 Little disease; water is safe; life expectancy rates
are rising steadily

15. Symbols
 The National Flag is a symbol of Fiji
 The Fijian coat of arms consists of two Fijian
warriors on either side of a shield
 A whales tooth is used as a symbol of peace

16. Values
 The community is valued above all else
 Money is a value
 Fijians value discipline

18. Works Cited
 "Facts about Fijian Culture." Captain Cook Cruises. Captain
Cook Cruises, 15 Jun 2011. Web. 3 Feb 2013.
 "Fiji." CultureGrams Online Edition. ProQuest, 2013. Web. 3
Feb 2013.
 Library, Robinson. "The Robinson Libraray." . Robinson, 12
Jan 2012. Web. 3 Feb 2013.