Fiji

by Wallace Line

Fiji has a rich history, with human settlement dating back over 3,500 years. The first settlers are believed to have arrived from Southeast Asia, and later, from other parts of the Pacific Islands, particularly Tonga and Samoa. Fijian society developed a complex hierarchical system with numerous chieftaincies and tribal alliances. European contact with Fiji began in the 17th century, with Dutch explorer Abel Tasman being the first known European to sight the islands in 1643. British explorer Captain James Cook also visited the islands in the 18th century, but it wasn't until the early 19th century that European settlers and missionaries began to establish a presence in Fiji.
In 1874, following a period of internal conflict, Fiji was ceded to the British Empire and became a British Crown Colony. The British introduced a new system of governance and brought in indentured laborers from India to work on sugar plantations. The indentured labour system ended in 1916, and many of the Indian laborers decided to stay in Fiji, creating a diverse multi-ethnic society. Fiji gained its independence from the United Kingdom on October 10, 1970, and became a member of the British Commonwealth. Since gaining independence, the country has experienced several military coups, mainly due to tensions between the indigenous Fijian and Indo-Fijian communities. In 2014, Fiji held its first democratic elections in eight years, which led to the establishment of a more inclusive and stable government.