A LOOK AT THE PAST
Fiji was first settled about 3,500 years ago by people from the Melanesian islands to the west and the Polynesian islands to the east. They established an agricultural society. The tribes on the islands often fought over land, and cannibalism was common. The treacherous coral reefs around the islands and the inhabitants' reputation as cannibals kept Europeans away from Fiji until the early 19th century.

In 1804, a shipwreck survivor discovered sandalwood on Vanua Levu. Between 1805 and 1813, traders cut down all accessible stands of the scented wood for the Asian market. More traders came to Fiji between 1830 and 1850 to export bêche-de-mer, a sea slug prized as a delicacy in China. Methodist missionaries arrived in the 1830s and American traders in the 1840s. British settlers came via Australia and New Zealand in the 1860s. Over the course of the 19th century, most indigenous Fijians converted to Christianity. Cannibalism eventually ceased.
The island of Bau near Viti Levu was a military stronghold in the 19th century. Its chief, Ratu Seru Cakobau, became the islands' most powerful leader. In 1874, Cakobau allowed Britain to annex Fiji as a colony, in return for protection from other colonial powers.

Fiji's first colonial governor, Sir Arthur Gordon, decreed that tribal land must remain in indigenous hands. As a result, indigenous Fijians today own 83% of the land. He also brought indentured workers from India to work on sugar cane plantations. Between 1879 and 1916, more than 60,000 workers emigrated from India. Although the working conditions were extremely harsh, the government encouraged the Indians to stay after their contracts ended, and many did. More Indian immigrants arrived after 1920 to set up small businesses. During the 1920s, the Indians struggled to improve their lives and gain representation in government.
   Did you know?
Cakobau's finest war club, called "Blood-Bather," is used as the ceremonial mace in the Fijian Parliament. It has been embossed with silver.
In the Second World War, the Fiji Military Force fought with Great Britain against the Japanese. After the war, there were some political reforms. On October 10, 1970, Fiji became an independent nation within the British Commonwealth. Its first prime minister was Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, leader of the indigenous Fijian-dominated Alliance Party.

Ethnic tensions between the indigenous Fijians and the Fijian Indians remained. In April 1987, a new political party with a majority of Indian members won the national election. Indigenous Fijians protested, and on May 14, 1987, Lt. Col. Sitiveni Rabuka of the Fijian army overthrew the government. He demanded a new constitution that would guarantee indigenous Fijians control of the government. When Western nations suspended aid and removed Fiji from the Commonwealth, Rabuka declared Fiji a republic. Thousands of Fijian Indians emigrated to other countries. The economy suffered.
In 1999, Mahendra Chaudhry, a Fijian Indian, was elected prime minister. On May 19, 2000, a coup led by George Speight (who is partly Fijian) forced the prime minister to resign. Chaudhry and his cabinet were held hostage for 56 days. Although Speight was later jailed, the coup increased ethnic tensions. The situation remains unstable.