Changes

The earliest settlement of Fiji can be attributed to the [[Lapita]] people, seen as the ancestors of the current Fijian. Their settlement in the Natadola area of southwest Viti Levu Island can be dated to 1260 B.C. These aborigines are genetically related to Malay and Polynesians, and linguists classify their language as Austronesian.<ref>http://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=2531&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=71&tx_ttnews[backPid]=331&cHash=b011137648</ref>

The earliest settlement of Fiji can be attributed to the [[Lapita]] people, seen as the ancestors of the current Fijian. Their settlement in the Natadola area of southwest Viti Levu Island can be dated to 1260 B.C. These aborigines are genetically related to Malay and Polynesians, and linguists classify their language as Austronesian.<ref>http://www.usp.ac.fj/index.php?id=2531&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=71&tx_ttnews[backPid]=331&cHash=b011137648</ref>

Fiji is the source of many of the tales of South Pacific [[cannibalism]], the consumption of enemy tribesmen captured in the internecine warfare being a major social activity, and other victims being used as foundations of buildings and living rollers to launch war canoes. The arrival of (initially Catholic) missionaries and conversion of the islanders to Christianity brought an end to cannibalism in the islands. However today, a second wave of missionaries (predominantly of recently formed American sects) is reigniting strife in the rural villages of Fiji, some of which may contain half a dozen different churches.{{fact}}

Fiji is the source of many of the tales of South Pacific [[cannibalism]], the consumption of enemy tribesmen captured in the internecine warfare being a major social activity, and other victims being used as foundations of buildings and living rollers to launch war canoes. The arrival of (initially Catholic) missionaries and conversion of the islanders to Christianity brought an end to cannibalism in the islands.  

 

Religion in Fiji is varied but Christianity is the most dominant religion, accounting for almost 80% of the indigenous Fijians, most of whom are members of the [[Methodist]] Church. The [[Anglican]] and [[Catholic]] Churches are also prominent. Apart from Christianity, [[Hindu]]ism has a strong influence amongst the Indian population. <ref>http://www.mapsofworld.com/fiji/culture/religion.html</ref>

Fiji gained independence from [[Britain]] in 1970. Almost two-fifths of the population is of [[India]]n descent, whose ancestors were brought to Fiji to work on sugar plantations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; these live almost entirely on the two main islands of the group. Conflict of interests, superficially between the indigenous Fijian and Indo-Fijian populations, but actually between rural and reactionary, and urban and progressive factions, has led to a number of non-violent, but highly disruptive political coups since independence.

Fiji gained independence from [[Britain]] in 1970. Almost two-fifths of the population is of [[India]]n descent, whose ancestors were brought to Fiji to work on sugar plantations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; these live almost entirely on the two main islands of the group. Conflict of interests, superficially between the indigenous Fijian and Indo-Fijian populations, but actually between rural and reactionary, and urban and progressive factions, has led to a number of non-violent, but highly disruptive political coups since independence.

[[Category:Oceanian Countries]]

[[Category:Oceanian Countries]]

[[Category:Archipelagos]]

[[Category:Archipelagos]]