Fijian in Fiji


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Fiji is a nation of volcanic islands located in the South Pacific Ocean approximately 1750 miles east of Australia. Known for its picturesque beauty, Fiji is a tourism destination like many of the islands in the South Pacific. Having functioned as a democratic republic for 30 years or so, recent events have converted the functioning governmental operation of the nation into a military dictatorship. The 2007 census reports that the people of Fiji are composed of Fijian 57.3% (mix of Melanesian and Polynesian), Indian 37.6%, Rotuman 1.2%, and others (European, Pacific Islanders, Chinese) 3.9%. The belief systems active on Fiji are Protestant Christianity 50%, Hindu 28%, Roman Catholicism 9%, Islam 6% with other various beliefs making up the remainder. The official languages of Fiji are English and Fijian and the population as of 2012 is approximately 900,000.

After being discovered and inhabited by various people of Melanesian, Polynesian, and Micronesian origins, Fiji was eventually settled by the British as the result of the activity of the shipping trade. Fiji gained independence in 1970 after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987 caused by concern over perceived governmental domination by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji led to heavy Indian emigration. The population loss resulted in economic difficulties and ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase. Re-elected in May 2006, Qarase was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama. Bainimarama initially appointed himself acting president and became interim prime minister in January of 2007. Since taking power, Bainimarama has neutralized his opponents, crippled Fiji's democratic institutions, and refused to hold elections. The island nation functions today as a military dictatorship.


Where Are they Located?

Fiji is a group of volcanic islands about 1750 miles east of northern Australia. The geographic coordinates are 18 00 south and 175 00 east. The islands have a total land area slightly smaller than the US state of New Jersey and coastline measuring 702 miles. The climate is tropical maritime and varies very little throughout the year. Tropical Cyclone season runs from November through January.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Fiji is blessed with forest, mineral, and fish resources and is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies even though they retain a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances from Fijians working abroad, and a growing tourism industry (500,000 tourists visit annually) are the major sources of national income.

Fiji's tourism industry was damaged by the December 2006 coup and it is facing uncertainty in its recovery. In 2007, tourist arrivals were down almost 6% resulting in substantial job losses in the service sector and reductions in national GDP. The coup has created a difficult business climate. Reductions in the sale of sugar to Europe have impacted the nation's cash flow. In addition, the EU has suspended all aid until the interim government takes steps toward new elections. Long-term problems for Fiji include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the government's inability to manage its budget. Overseas remittances from Fijians working in Kuwait and Iraq have decreased significantly. Fiji's current account deficit peaked at 23% of GDP in 2006 but has improved slightly each subsequent year.

As much as 70% of the people of Fiji are employed by some aspect of agricultural business. Fiji is somewhat affluent as compared to many of its neighbors in the South Pacific, although many Fijians practice subsistence farming and a growing number are unemployed due to the negative economic results of the military coup. Slightly more than half of the population of 900,000 live in urban areas. The lifestyle of these people is much like the lives of people in any developed country. The lifestyle of the people in the rural areas can vary significantly.

While facing challenges to healthy living, the Fijians average a life expectancy of 71 years. Most people are educated and most families average 2 children per home.

Fiji uses the Fijian Dollar as its currency, which varies in strength against the USD. Fiji is 17 hours ahead of the US Eastern Time Zone. Communication and transportation services are very similar and have availability much like any developed country. The international dialing code for Fiji is 679.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The belief systems active on Fiji are Protestant Christianity 50%, Hindu 28%, Roman Catholicism 9%, Islam 6% and other various beliefs making up the remainder. These statistics are very reliable for the urbanized areas but it should be kept in mind that the beliefs of the rural areas can vary greatly. Belief systems can become modified over time to incorporate aspects of folk belief systems.

The official languages of Fiji are English and Fijian.


What Are Their Needs?

Every location throughout the world needs clear and concise expositional teaching from the Bible. Any people, nation, or belief system can drift from the true teaching of the Bible over time. Fiji, like any other nation, will benefit from persistent Bible teaching reminding them of the true message from scripture as it was originally recorded.

Fiji is open to Christian teaching and opportunities to visit the rural areas, where hybridized versions of faith practices can be numerous, are many. A helpful practice of Christian workers is to train the trainers where local believers' knowledge and skills can be supplemented better preparing them to reach out to their countrymen. It should also be kept in mind that learning from the locals can also be a great opportunity for the missionaries.

Bibles, teaching materials, and raw material supplies can be valuable gifts for people in remote areas since access to these supplies can be limited.


Prayer Points

Pray for God to call this people group to Himself
Pray for God to invigorate His people on the islands to accomplish His work
Pray for the opportunity to reach out to other islands in the region
Pray for access for God's people to evangelize the lost
Pray for safety and provision for all who labor for God's kingdom


Scripture Prayers for the Fijian in Fiji.


References

All information was obtained with permission from
http://goo.gl/1r0xj


Profile Source:   Wallace Revells  

People Name General Fijian
People Name in Country Fijian
Alternate Names Bauan; Central Vanua Levu; Mbau; Namena; Northeast Vanua Levu; Southeast Vanua Levu; Tavuki; West Vanua Levu
Population this Country 285,000
Population all Countries 459,000
Total Countries 7
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 11200
ROP3 Code 103015
Country Fiji
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Oceania
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country East half of Viti Levu and eastern offshore islands, Kadavu Island, Vanua Levu and offshore islands, Nayau, Lakeba, Oneata, Moce, Komo, Namuka, Kabara, Vulaga, Ogea, Vatoa islands   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Country Fiji
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Oceania
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country East half of Viti Levu and eastern offshore islands, Kadavu Island, Vanua Levu and offshore islands, Nayau, Lakeba, Oneata, Moce, Komo, Namuka, Kabara, Vulaga, Ogea, Vatoa islands.   Source:  Ethnologue 2010

No people group map currently available. Use the above button to submit a map.



Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 43.67 %)
98.50 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.50 %
Other / Small
1.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Fijian
Language Code fij   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Fijian
Language Code fij   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Fijian

Primary Language:  Fijian

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1839-1968)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1847-1987)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1864-2021)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Fijian Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Fijian YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Fijian YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Create International  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Profile Source Wallace Revells 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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