tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13091468412438365422024-03-08T17:59:15.152-05:00The Islands of Fiji mO Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11791703822060603767noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309146841243836542.post-81707481088261860802014-04-29T21:59:00.000-04:002014-05-06T09:03:08.894-04:00References<div style="text-align: center;">
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; line-height: 24px; text-align: start; text-indent: -40px;">Wibberley, Leonard. </span><i style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; text-align: start; text-indent: -40px;">Fiji: Islands of the Dawn</i><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; line-height: 24px; text-align: start; text-indent: -40px;">. New York: Washburn, 1964. Print.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 24px;"><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; text-align: start; text-indent: -40px;">Scarr, Deryck. </span><i style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start; text-indent: -40px;">Fiji: A Short History</i><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; text-align: start; text-indent: -40px;">. Laie, HI: Institute for Polynesian Studies, Brigham Young U--Hawaii Campus, 1984. Print.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; font-family: inherit; text-align: start; text-indent: -40px;">Derrick, R. A. <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Fiji Islands; a Geographical Handbook</i>. Suva: Govt. Print. Dept., 1951. Print.</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; line-height: 24px; text-align: start; text-indent: -40px;">"BirdLife | Partnership for Nature and People." </span><i style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; text-align: start; text-indent: -40px;">BirdLife | Partnership for Nature and People</i><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; line-height: 24px; text-align: start; text-indent: -40px;">. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2014.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; font-family: inherit; line-height: 24px; text-align: start; text-indent: -40px;">"News and Features." <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">EBird</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2014.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; font-family: inherit; line-height: 24px; text-align: start; text-indent: -40px;">"About FIJI Water Company & Foundation." <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">FIJI Water</i>. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2014.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -40px;">"What You Didnt Know About Fiji Water." </span><i style="background-color: #f2f2f2; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -40px;">Mercola.com</i><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; line-height: 24px; text-indent: -40px;">. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 May 2014.</span></span></li>
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mO Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11791703822060603767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309146841243836542.post-53462103857905300492014-04-22T10:06:00.000-04:002014-05-06T10:23:15.991-04:00Cultural SurvivalPreserving Fijian culture is essential to the people there. People in the villages still practice many traditional ceremonies such as the lovo, the meke, and the kava ceremonies. The lovo ceremonry involves the preparation of a feast, similar to a barbeque but a little more smoked and a very efficient way to provide food for a large number of people. The meke ceremony embraces traditional song and dance to tell of the legends, love stories, history, and spirits of the islands. The kava ceremony involves presenting the national drink of Fiji to a guest or honored member of the village. Kava is made from the pulverized root of a member of the pepper family, resulting in a numb tongue and mellow feeling. It is believed to have medicinal qualities. <br />
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It is nice to know that the traditional Fiji life hasn't been exploited due to the vast amount of tourism. The people there are conscious of sustainable tourism practices. The villages are almost completely self-sustaining and many of the resorts also strive for self-sufficiency. Many of the tour companies practice responsible tourism in an effort to preserve what is there. mO Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11791703822060603767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309146841243836542.post-62812880165943557142014-04-16T00:15:00.000-04:002014-05-06T09:01:57.920-04:00Fijian migrations and DiasporaThe two prominent ethnic groups in Fiji are indigenous Fijian and Indo-Fijian. More than half of all inhabitants of the Fiji islands live on the islands coasts, either in Suva or in smaller urban centers. The interiors of the islands are sparsely populated due to the rough terrain. The Indo-Fijian population has grown rapidly through the years, initially migrating from India to work in the sugarcane fields. In the 1920s and 1930s, there was a voluntary influx forming the foundation of Fiji's business class. The Indo-Fijians reside primarily near the urban centers and in the cane-producing areas of the two main islands. In contrast, the indigenous Fijians are spread across the landscape. <br />
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Some Indo-Fijians have been displaced from the cane-producing areas due to the expiration of land leases and have been forced to move into the urban areas in pursuit of jobs. Native Fijians have also moved into the urban areas in search of a better life. Overall, the Indo-Fijian population on the islands is declining due to emigration and a declining birth rate, yet they still dominate the professions and commerce. <br />
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Overall, since the 1960s, there has been high rates of emigration primarily to North America, Australia, and New Zealand. The Indo-Fijian population have been leaving in search of better economic opportunities. The indigenous Fijian population have also been emigrating in large numbers, often to seek employment as home healthcare workers. Unfortunately, unemployment is high and wages are low and there is political unrest. mO Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11791703822060603767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309146841243836542.post-5707901209552433512014-04-02T00:17:00.000-04:002014-05-06T10:05:24.516-04:00Fijians and their NeighborsBecause Fiji is a collection of islands, there aren't any land neighbors. The closest countries in proximity are Tonga and Samoa to the east, Australia, Vanuatu, and Tuvalu to the west, and New Zealand to the south. Due to this simple fact, there is little conflict between the peoples of these countries. Any conflict within Fiji would be between the more traditional indigenous Fijians and the more modern Indo-Fijians. The opposing lifestyles of traditional village life and more urban life exist in Fiji, but there are some who live the more modern, urban lifestyle during the day for the purpose of employment but return to village life and their families at night. The people of Fiji are rooted in tradition and community and it definitely shows in daily life.mO Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11791703822060603767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309146841243836542.post-55276547017828279102014-03-25T20:13:00.000-04:002014-05-06T09:04:04.801-04:00Fiji water <br />
The most common misconception about Fiji water is that it doesn't actually come from Fiji, that it is just a marketing ploy. That couldn't be further from the truth. The spring from which the water is actually taken from is located on the island of Viti Levu. The company "Fiji water" partnered with Conservation International have been working to preserve the purity and the biological wealth of the Fijian islands. The company was originally owned by a Canadian man named David Gilmour in 1996. Fiji water and Conservation International have established a long term conservation plan that has saved 40,000 acres of rain forest. Fiji water gives back to the islands by generating future income sources for the local communities. They plant teak and mahogany trees which in part will generate jobs. Fiji water was the leading water import in America in 2009. In 2004, the Fijian government actually shut down the bottling process because they wanted to increase the tax from 1/3 cents to 15 cents exporting tax per liter of water sold. This increase in tax was to going to the Fijian government.<br />
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http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/10/27/What-You-Didnt-Know-About-Fiji-Water.aspx<br />
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http://www.fijiwater.com/company/mO Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11791703822060603767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309146841243836542.post-69092340670845890972014-03-18T18:59:00.000-04:002014-05-06T09:04:21.891-04:00Birds of FijiBirds have traditionally been an important part of life in Fiji. They have played a role in inter-island communication, their feathers have been used as trade items and prized for edging fine mats, while some have been important food sources. Fiji does not have a large number of bird species, in fact only 27 endemic species, but some of those seen there can't be seen anywhere else in the world hence making conservation a primary concern for the people of Fiji. <br />
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There are 57 native breeding species of landbirds and 12 introduced species of landbirds, such as the Mynas and the Bulbul, that currently reside on the islands of Fiji. There are also various species of seabirds, 20 species which breed in Fiji and 39 species which don't breed there, but migrate there. There is only one endemic seabird species in Fiji, the Fiji Petrel, which is now critically endangered due to predation by cats, rats, and feral pigs. A vaguely defined group of shorebirds, roughly 21 species, also exists which breed in the Arctic and escape to the Fiji islands for warmer temperatures during harsh winters. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiji Petrel Via http://leesbirdblog.files.wordpress.com/</td></tr>
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<br />mO Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11791703822060603767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309146841243836542.post-11549646777442381082014-03-04T22:58:00.000-05:002014-05-06T09:04:40.237-04:00Fijian CosmosAs a people, the Fijians are known as some of the friendliest and most laid back people on the globe. The fast-paced, busy life in the northeastern United States may just be too much for them. The people of Fiji value their customs and traditions and welcome guests into their villages and homes. In contrast, the people of America lack a sense of community and therefore customs and traditions have diminished. In my opinion, Americans are self-consumed and tend to only come together in times of need. The people of Fiji identify with a sense of community and live in villages. In Fiji, it really does take a village to raise a child! Community is so important that most wealth and resources are divided among the residents of a village. The selfish nature of the American people would be appalling to the Fijian people.<br />
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There are many customs that are observed on a daily basis in Fiji. While in a village, one should be respectful by removing hats, leaving shoes outside the door when entering a home, and never touching someone's head. When visiting a village in Fiji, it is only proper to present a gift of kava to the head of the village. While some of these traditions are observed in America, it's not a daily way of life. mO Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11791703822060603767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309146841243836542.post-18440459047707270472014-02-25T16:55:00.000-05:002014-05-06T09:04:58.249-04:00The world of Fiji. The islands of Fiji are the most developed of the Pacific island economies. The economy of Fiji is driven primarily by tourism, followed by sugar and garment export. Most tourists travel from neighboring Australia, with others coming from New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. The revenue generated from tourism exceeds the two largest goods exports. Recently, the revenue generated from sugar and garment export have waned. Quality concerns, poor administration, and the phasing out of a preferential price agreement with the European Union in 2007 have greatly impacted Fiji's sugar industry and may ultimately be its downfall. The garment industry struggles with the lower labor costs of Chinese competitors and the softening of a trade preference agreement with Australia, thereby causing closures of major garment factories within Fiji. <br />
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Though sugar and garments are the major exports of Fiji, there are other exports that play a role in supporting the Fiji economy such as coconuts, ginger, fish, gold and silver. Forestry is also an important export as Fiji has an extensive timber reserve. Since the turn of the century, the export of still mineral water, primarily to the United States, has rapidly increased, generating more than $40 million per year. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fiji flag via ShutterStock.com</td></tr>
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mO Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11791703822060603767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309146841243836542.post-25429737949411956372014-02-18T22:37:00.000-05:002014-05-06T09:05:22.889-04:00Homeland and Landscape <div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The islands of Fiji archipelago are formed from volcanic materials and sediments. The islands of Fiji began to form around the Mesozoic area based on the aging of rocks from around 120 million years ago (such as cutting or breaking rock open and checking rings or lines of sediments.) Shallow seas covered parts of it, shifting of plutonic rocks thrust upward and folding until they appear above. This process is how mountains and hills were formed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The landscape consists of coral beaches, deeply indented coasts and limestone islets. The islands of Fiji have 3 main types of islands which are coral, limestone, volcanic.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coastline via Privateislandnews.com</td></tr>
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mO Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11791703822060603767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309146841243836542.post-12655461768195394262014-02-11T12:59:00.000-05:002014-05-06T09:05:43.858-04:00History of the Island Fiji <div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a Fijian legend of how life on the island came to be in 1500BC. The great chief </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 26px;">Lutunasobasoba led his people across seas to new land. It is said that they made their way through southeast Asia via the Malay peninsula. This is where the Melanesians and Polynesians came together to create a highly developed society. This prompts the accidental discoveries of the island by the Europeans. The discovery of the Fiji islands was an accident by the explorers and missionaries who actually ended up shipwrecked on one of the main islands. These men ended up living among the island natives. Cannibalism was practiced by the Fijian people but was quickly stopped by influence of the missionaries. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.294118); line-height: 26px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The original group that inhabited the island were called "Lapita people". The name comes from pottery they produced on the island. Evidence of the pottery practice was found all over islands in the pacific. Over time, tension between the two races boiled over and a large number of the Lapita people were forced out or just chose to leave.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.294118); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 26px;"> The Melanesians remained in Fiji and became the dominant race of the islands. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.294118); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 26px;"> This seems to be where the history takes a turn and the great chief Cakobau ceded the island to the British, which is why their flag displays the British flag on it.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.fijihighcommission.org.uk/about_1.html">Resources </a></div>
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mO Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11791703822060603767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309146841243836542.post-4862348765371833422014-02-05T00:18:00.000-05:002014-05-06T09:05:58.433-04:00Welcome to Fiji!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The main purpose of this blog is to give you an inside glimpse of the culture of Fiji and the great history surrounding its people. I'd like to educate you and show you the different ways these people live their lives. I'm excited to do some research and bring the information for you to read. Enjoy!</span>mO Wisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11791703822060603767noreply@blogger.com0