History of Fiji Trivia Quiz

Answer: Its location in the central Pacific Ocean meant people frequently came and went.

Fiji is located in the central Pacific Ocean, which made it a great midway point for people traveling across the Pacific. Groups of people tended not to stay in Fiji for long periods of time, as the islands were typically midway stops during longer journeys.

It is known that people lived in Fiji in at least 1100 BC and it is believed that the Lapita People were the first people to make permanent homes in Fiji.

Answer: Tonga

The Tu'i Tonga Empire began in around the 950s and Fiji quickly fell under its sphere of influence. Fiji was always a big trade partner with the other islands around it in the Pacific. These islands also shared a similar culture. With Fiji coming under the Tu'i Tonga Empire, Polynesian culture began quickly gaining a foothold within Fiji.

Answer: Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman visited Fiji in 1643 when he was searching for the then-unknown (to Europeans) continent of Australia. Specifically, he visited Vanua Levu and named the islands the Prince William Islands. The islands of Fiji were not mapped until over 150 years later when William Bligh arrived after being cast off of the Bounty.

Answer: Swedish sailor

Charles Savage, born Kalle Svenson, was a Swedish sailor who arrived in Fiji somewhere around 1810. He was part of the sandalwood rush that saw an influx of Europeans to Fiji to harvest the valuable sandalwood. The sandalwood rush was short-lived, however, and Savage remained in Fiji.

He was the rare European accepted into Fijian society as the local people were fascinated by his weapons they hoped to use in warfare. He lived the high life in Fiji until his death in 1813, when he ambushed by a warring faction and killed.

Answer: Cannibalism

Back in Europe, reports of cannibalism ran rampant. Colonizers depicted the Fijian people as cannibals and greatly exaggerated instances of eating human flesh. This angered the everyday population, especially in England, and Christian missionaries were sent to convert 'the savage natives". Before long, Fiji and the other islands were overwhelmed by missionaries and Europe was able to conquer the islands.

The subject of cannibalism has been widely debated. It is not known whether it was practiced in Fiji and if so, to what extent. The most commonly acceptable belief is that warriors, on very rare occasion, would eat the flesh of their slain enemies to show their dominance. However, accounts of Fijians eating hundreds of people or eating humans on a regular basis are almost certainly untrue.

Answer: Seru Epenisa Cakobau

Cakobau was able to rise to power after a fleet of missionaries raided a Malolo village and murdered dozens of people and the sentiment toward European missionaries grew even more hostile. Cakobau expelled European Christians from his islands and later declared war on Christianity. However, his power was short lived because the other Fijian chiefs rebelled against him because of high taxation.

They aligned with converted Kings of Tonga who invaded and Christianized many Fijians. In addition, the U.S. consulate in the area blamed Cakobau for a devastating fire which led to more invasions until the chief was forced to convert to Christianity.

Answer: They felt there was nothing to gain.

Seru Epenisa Cakobau (a Fijian chief) fell into heavy debt to the United States that he hoped to pay off by annexing the islands to the British. However, the British rejected the offer because they felt Fiji was too isolated to be any use to the British Empire.

They also realized that Cakobau did not have the authority to "sell" Fiji, and the British wished avoid a costly battle with the other chiefs for, what they considered, little gain.

Answer: U.S. Civil War

Because of the U.S. Civil War, the price of cotton rose dramatically. White settlers, mostly from the U.S. and Australia, raced to Fiji in order to grow cotton. Cakobau readily accepted the settlers who proclaimed him leader of the Fijian Confederacy, although he was mostly just a figurehead.

Inland Fijians, known as Kai Colo, resented the white settlers who took over the land and fought back. Kai Colo proved ineffective as a leader, his armed forces were decimated and the confederacy quickly collapsed when many of the settlers left and others refused to come.

Answer: Both white and native people could serve in government.

In order to bring stability to Fiji, a kingdom was proposed with Cakobau as King. The government would contain both white settlers and native Fijians in an attempt to bring peace and solve their differences. However, this was very short lived as many white settlers were appalled by the fact that non-whites would be considered equals and have the ability to pass laws. Racial tensions heated up and white settlers again attacked the Kai Colo people. Cakobau was once again proven to be an ineffective leader who never really took a side nor did he actively work to end the conflicts.

The kingdom crumbled and Britain finally annexed the islands in 1874. The British now saw Fiji as profitable because many Kai Colo people were enslaved in a practice called blackbirding.

Answer: Land tenure

Land tenure was the biggest issue. In the early 20th century, Indian indentured servants arrived in Fiji and land sales were halted. Because the land is an important part of Fijian culture and identity, this was a serious issue, especially since during the reign of the British Empire when property rights were limited.

A deal was brokered that returned the land to native Fijians but the land is leased to Indo-Fijians who raised crops on the land. This itself is controversial as it does not provide Indo-Fijians with economic security.