300 islands in the Pacific make up the Fiji group. The water is blue and the ocean life is rich. For thousands of years Fijian villagers used spears for fishing and outrigger canoes to sail between the islands.
Fiji's beaches are white and full of trees. Coconut trees are used for food, drink and construction. Timber trees are used for canoes. Bamboo trees are used for the home and pandanus leaves are used for mats and baskets.
In 1874 Fiji became a crown colony of Britain. It's first governor Sir Arthur Gordon established a policy of protecting local Fijians. Instead 60.000 Indians were imported to work on the newly established sugar plantations. It took Britain till 1970 to give Fiji it's independence.
Fiji is a popular diving and snorkeling destination. However Fiji's coral reefs are faced by land pollution, overfishing, blast fishing and bleaching. Because of an increase in sea temperatures the coral turns white and eventually dies. Coral bleaching is a result of global warming.
A village elder of the Yasawa Island group. This man is 99 years old. All village elders live with their children and grand children. But the traditional Fijian village life is under stress since it is no longer able to support the growing Fijian population. Many Fijian have to leave the village to look for work in the cities.
Once upon a time the shark god Dakuwaqa guarded the reef entrances to all the islands of Fiji. But although Dakuwaqa was fierce, fearless and strong one day he almost lost his life in a fight with an octopus who guarded the Kaduvu islands. Dakuwaqa promised the octopus that if his life were sparred he would never harm the people from Kaduvu. The octopus let him go and until now the people of Kaduvu have no fear of sharks when they go swimming or fishing in the ocean.
Fiji's indigenous mammals are limited to six species of the bat and the Polynesian rat. Dogs, pigs, sheep, and horses were introduced by immigrants. Horses were brought by the missionaries about the middle of the last century.
Village homes are no longer built with traditional materials. It will only be a matter of time when traditional houses will be replaced by homes like this one.
Boiled cassava or taro, meat or fish fried in oil and rich coconut milk dishes are part of the cuisine Fiji.
Photographs © Andrew Kaufman Photography : Adventure : Fiji back up