Page 21 - Melanesia

he history of Fiji is founded in scientific oped society long before the arrival of the
T findings, myths, and legends. Fijian cul-
ture and of course Fijian history must begin
at the beginning which would be found in
the various legends of the Fijian people.
There are two main legends explaining the
history of Fiji Islands or at least how it all
began. One is that of Degei the Snake God
whom only had one friend and that was
Turukawa the hawk. Turukawa laid two eggs
and from them came forth two humans.
Degei cared for the humans until one day
the male human finally noticed the maiden
human on the other side of the tree. This
was the beginning of humans of the Fiji
Islands. In another legend, the great chief
Lutunasobasoba brought his people across
the seas to the new land, which was the
Fiji Islands. According to Fijian legend, the
great chief Lutunasobasoba led his people
across the seas to the new land of Fiji. Most
authorities agree that people came into the
Pacific from Southeast Asia via the Malay
Peninsula. Here the Melanesians and the
Polynesians mixed to create a highly devel-
Europeans.
T he first explorer that has been noted
in Fiji Islands history was Abel Tasman
who was a Dutch explorer searching for the
Great Southern continent. While he trave-
led, he happened upon the Fiji Islands in
1643. Fiji history lets us know that Europe-
an traders and missionaries made their way
to the Fiji Islands in the early 19th century,
which brought about many wars between
the Fijian confederacies. The influx of so
many Europeans wishing to call the area
home brought about this major change in
the history of the Fiji Islands. After the Brit- in Fiji at that time quickly disappeared as
ish gained control, Fiji Islands history began
to emerge in a totally different direction.
In 1874, under British rule, the islands were
transformed into a colony. At this time, In-
dian contract laborers added to the history
of Fiji as the British brought the laborers to
the islands.
he European discoveries of the Fiji
T group were accidental. Captain James
Cook who sailed through in 1774, and made
further explorations in the 18th century.
Major credit for the discovery and recording
of the islands went to Captain William Bligh
who sailed through Fiji after the mutiny
on the Bounty in 1789. The first Europeans
to land and live among the Fijians were
shipwrecked sailors and runaway convicts
from the Australian penal settlements. San-
dalwood traders and missionaries came by
the mid19th century. Cannibalism practiced
missionaries gained influence. When Ratu
Seru Cakobau accepted Christianity in 1854,
the rest of the country soon followed and
tribal warfare came to an end. From 1879 to
1916 Indians came as indentured laborers
to work on the sugar plantations. After the
indentured system was abolished, many
stayed on as independent farmers and
businessmen. Today they comprise 43.6 per
cent of the population.