A Guide To Traditional FijiThe Fiji Islands lie in the heart of the Pacific Ocean midway between the Equator and the South Pole between longitudes 174 degrees east and 178 degrees west of Greenwich and latitudes 12 and 22 degrees south. Our exclusive economic zone covers 1.3 million square kilometers of the South Pacific Ocean and contains approximately 330 islands, a third of which are inhabited. The islands enjoy a tropical maritime climate without great extremes of heat or cold. Occasionally traversing the isles are tropical cyclones between November and April yearly. Heavy downpours dominate these months when temperatures can rise to the early 30's Centigrade. In the cooler months between May and October temperatures are in the lower 20's Centigrade. The total land area is a mere 18,333 square kilometers, with the two major islands - Viti Levu and Vanua Levu - accounting for 87% of the total lands.
We are predominantly Melanesian throughout, and the boldness of early sea rovers yielded a mixture of racial types and cultures, Melanesian and Polynesian, even in the main islands. Not only are the peoples a happy race of people, our lifestyles show the best traits of Melanesia, Polynesia, India, China and other nationalities that make us unique. There is love of nature in all its aspects as well as fear, imagination, happiness and laughter. Indigenous Fijians and Rotumans own 88% of the land while the State holds 4% and private freeholds account for about 8%. The capital Suva is one of the two cities on the main island of Viti Levu, located on the south-eastern end, with Lautoka the other, in the west. While this site refers to Fijians and Rotumans as one, it should be noted that the islands of Rotuma - about 600kms. to the north of us were never conquered, yet were ceded by her chiefs to the British in the hope of quelling internal factional fighting by her peoples in the 1880's as outside influences came to bear. Indeed, Rotuma is now administered from Suva and is a port of entry into the group. Our peoples have since intermarried and share much good memories together. Summarized below is a quick guide to the various provinces of our islands - the number of districts and villages of each province. On later pages we will visit each provincial district and village and gain an insight into them.
Photos: Courtesy of the Fiji Museum http://www.fijimuseum.org.fj The Fijian Provinces, Districts and VillagesSUMMARY:1. Ba Province has 21 Districts and 107 Villages 2. Bua Province has 9 Districts and 50 Villages 3. Cakaudrove Province has 16 Districts and 132 Villages 4. Kadavu Province has 9 Districts and 75 Villages 5. Lau Province has 13 Districts and 72 Villages 6. Lomaiviti Province has 12 Districts and 74 Villages 7. Macuata Province has 12 Districts and 112 Villages 8. Nadroga-Navosa Province has 22 Districts and 119 Villages 9. Naitasiri Province has 16 Districts and 89 Villages 10. Namosi Province has 5 Districts and 28 Villages 11. Ra Province has 19 Districts and 89 Villages 12. Rewa Province has 9 Districts and 52 Villages 13. Serua Province has 4 Districts and 24 Villages 14. Tailevu Province has 22 Districts and 146 Villages. 15. Rotuma has 7 Districts and 19 Villages TOTALS: 15 Provinces, 195 Districts and 1,188 Villages. ...and all are keen on supplying you our fare if you enquire here. Click here to; Learn The Fiji Kava Ceremony.
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