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History of Fiji

Want to find out about the history of Fiji? Read up here on this set of islands in the South Pacific and it's colourful past, which continues to the present. Here contains pre-1874 Fiji history, with part 2 on the next page containing post-1874 to the present.

The contents are broken down into the following parts:

Pre-1820

Fiji's position in the South Pacific lends itself to being in the path of early sea explorers. Most experts believe that the first people came from South East Asia and settled around 1,500 B.C.. Then around 500 B.C. Melanesians starting arriving.

early history of fiji starts involves melanesians

Some evidence today is:

Archaelogical evidence found on Moturiki Island dating back to 600-900 B.C.
The Fiji Times reported on 3 July 2005
that skeletons were excavated at
Bourewa, near Natadola in Sigatoka, of
at least 3000 years old. Lapita pottery
found on the surface of the graves is thought to be 2500 years old.

Oral Tradition

Oral tradition states that, indigenous Fijians of today are descendants of chief Lutunasobasoba who arrived and landed at Vuda. The government has made this official and many tribes today claim to be descendents from the children of Lutunasobasoba. Another piece of oral tradition states that another settlement existed in the Fijian isles whose descendents came from Africa.

Tongan Incursions

Around 950 B.C. the 'Tu'i Tonga Empire' or 'Tongan Empire' had started to expand from it's base in Mu'a Tonga. And Fiji is right next door. Incursions persisted over time. The evidence can be seen in Western Fiji today, through it's languages, cultures, music, and traditions.

1820 to 1874

In 1822, Levuka becomes the first European settlement and the first modern town in Fiji. In the '30's missionaries start arriving introduced by Tonga. Prince Ma'afu of Tonga came in 1847 and settled in Lakeba.

In 1853, a warlord and the one of the leading chiefs at the time, Ratu Cakobau, establishes himself as Tui Viti (King of Fiji). A year later he converts to Christianity.

Cakobau is recognised as the king by the European settlers. Cakobau has accrued debts from the destruction of settler's homes in Fiji and must pay, otherwise the American navy will shell Levuka. They take some islands as mortgage.

Levuka dated 28 July - 1 August 1874

Kingdom of Fiji

To rid himself of debt, Cakobau gives significant land over to the Australian based Polynesia Company who then in turn will settle the debt with the Americans. Part of the land is near the present day Suva.

In 1871 the Kindom of Fiji as a constitutional monarchy is established with Cakobau as the kind with the real power held by the Australian settlers.

A British Colony

The new kingdom lives lavishly and accrues debt again. This time on 10 October, 1874, to rid the newly acquired debt, Cakobau cedes the islands to the British Empire and thus becomes a British colony.

* the history of Fiji continues on our Fiji History page...

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