Fiji Mythology Reflects Unique Culture

Fiji’s Mythology Reflects Unique Culture and Location The Fiji islands were discovered in 1643 by a Dutch explorer named Abel Tasman. The island cluster was once known, as Viti are now rich with history, and culture. Fiji Island’s unique terrain, climate, origin, culture, religious beliefs, and history have all attributed to the folklores that are known today. The Fiji islands are located in the South Pacific Ocean. The 332 island and 500 islets were formed more than 150 million years ago through volcanic activity. The two largest islands are Vitu Levu and Vanua Levu. These two islands combined make up more than 87% of Fiji’s landmass. Fiji also has unique sand dunes called the, Sigatoka Sand Dunes. The sand dunes are located on Viu Levu
island. The dunes are a result of erosion in the costal hinderland. The Sigatoka Sand Dunes are reflected in many Fiji myths. Figure 1. Fiji’s two largest islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu (Large detailed Fiji Islands map. Fiji Islands large detailed map)

Fiji is located near the equator making it a tropical marine climate. The average temperature throughout the year is 77 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter months (July and August) the temperature can get as low as 64 degrees Fehrenheit. In the hot summer months, temperatures can reach up to 86 degrees Fehrenheit. The warm weather makes the island home to several animals. According to Gabi Logan, “The only native mammalian life in Fiji is the fruit bat, and six varieties can be found on the islands, including the Fijian monkey-faced flying fox, one of the most primitive fruit bat species. Iguanas, including the rare crested Iguana, and their relatives snakes and geckos, round out the major Fijian land animals.” The warm weather makes the islands home to several reptiles. The history of the island began when the first human found the new warm, land.
Fiji’s rich history begins with discovery of the new land in 1643. “According to Fijian Legend, the great chief Lutunasobasoba led his people across the seas to the new land of Fiji.” (About Fiji-History) It is believed that people arrived in the Malay Peninsula. Some also believe that, “ The first European to land and live among the Fijians were shipwrecked sailors and run away convicts from the Australian penal settlement.”(About Fiji- History) During the time Cannibalism was practiced on the land. It wasn’t until the missionaries gained influence of the new land and Ratu Seru Cakbua introduced Christianity in 1854 that it became widespread throughout the land.
It was during the transition to Christianity that Fiji found new social structure. In the article A History of Fiji by Alfred Goldsborough Mayer the social structure is explained, “The Fijians had a well-organized social system which recognized six classes of society. Kings and queens (Tuis and Andis), Chiefs of districts (Rokos), Chiefs of village, priests (Betes) and land owners. Distinguished warriors of low birth, chiefs of the carpenter caste (Rokolas), and chiefs of the turtle fisherman.” Next are the common people, and lastly the slaves. It was during the nineteenth century several planters and traders attempted to replicate Australia and New Zealand’s colonies. In 1874, Great Britain accepted an offer of cession. Britain believed that the island could be self-sufficient because of the abundance of sugar cane plantations. In 1879 Indians came to work as indentured laborers on sugar cane plantations. In 1916 indentured labor was abolished and the once laborers became farmers and businessmen. Over time Fijians have transitioned from cannibalism to Christianity, and colony to a successful self-government. (Wright)
Fiji is known as a “worshippers paradise”, according to Fiji History. Nearly every village on the island, at one time, had a temple. The people of the land, known as “Fijians”, would go to the temples and offer gifts to their Gods. The gift giving is still popular in Fiji’s culture today. It wasn’t until the 19th century that Christianity took over the island. In Navunibitu, Rotuma here is a mural of the Black Christ. A French artist named Jean Charlot painted the mural in the 1960’s. According to Fiji History the mural represents God as a Fijian. The mural reminds the people that God, “is not a foreigner but lives among the people. “ (Fiji History) Today Methodist and other Christian sects dominate the Fiji islands religion, followed by Hinduism. According to Fijian Religion, “The earlier, traditional Fijian religion, however, was based on ancestor worship which extended to every aspect of the culture, including medicine.” Even today several Gods, spirits, and ancestral deities’ are included in worship throughout Fiji.
Fiji’s unique location may have influenced the creation myth of Fiji that is told today. The island is known for their reptiles and so is their creation myth. According to Fiji mythology, the Serpent God is believed to be the first living God that created humans. The snake God is known as, “Great Serpent Degei”, this translates to the supreme God. According to the legend, “in the beginning it was only water and twilight everywhere and only an island existed. The island of the Gods which floated somewhere at the edge of the world and could only be visible during sunrise. Degei was alone and the only living creature was the female hawk named Turukawa.” (John Black) The story continues that the only thing the hawk did was fly around the Earth and collect leaves and grass to create a nest. The story is told that two eggs were created. Degei took the eggs and nurtured them until they hatched into the first humans.
Degei is found in several Fiji legends.
The snake god is known as the God of Earthquakes, storms, and the seasons. It is believed that Degei judges the dead as they pass through “the doorway to the underworld.” (Myths and Legends of the Sigatoka Sand Dunes, 2015) Some people are granted into Fijian paradise while others are thrown into the water where they sink to the bottom and are rewarded or punished. It is also believed that the Snake God once killed all inhabitants. According to the article, Myths and legends of the Sigatoka Sand Dunes, “Degei was once angered by the villagers and sent a huge tidal wave that hit the beach and buried the village in sand, killing all its inhabitants.” This myth is reflects the geography of the Fiji islands. The author does note that the people do not necessarily believe all of the legends but they are a huge part of Fijian
storytelling.
Folktales are an important part of the Fiji culture.
In the book Folk Tale and Fables of the American and the Pacific, Barbra Hayes and Robert Ingpen, tell the story of the Giant Turtle. The folktale is believed to explain how Tongo people migrated to Fiji. The story begins with a fisherman named Lekabai from Somoa. The fisherman was saved from drowning in the ocean. He climbed to the top of a rock in order to speak to the Sky King. The Sky King gave him another chance and sent him back to land on a giant sea turtle. The Sky King sent the young man back with one condition; he was not to open his eyes. Although animals tempted Lekabai, he followed the Sky King instructions. When Lekabai returned to land he was given a feast to celebrate his second chance. During the feast the fisherman killed the giant turtle. Lekabai told the fisherman that the Sky King would punish them for killing the turtle. The fisherman decided to bury the turtle in a deep hole filled with coconuts and a mat made of coconut leaves. The Sky King sent a bird to land to see what was happening. The bird went to a boy named Lavai-pani to tell the story to Tongo villagers. After some disbelief the men dug up the turtle shell. They brought the thirteen turtle shells to their King and decided to set sail to find new land. They arrived in Kadavu, which was one of Fiji’s islands. The king of the island gave the men land to live on and start a life. It is believed that they are the first Tongo people that settled
in Fiji.
The story of the Giant Turtle, reflects Fijian culture, social structure, and location. For example the sea turtle, coconuts, and the mat of coconut leaves, all reflect the marine tropical location. The sky king reflects their social structure. The openness of the Fiji ruler also represents their openness to new settlers. This folktale is reflect the Fijian social structure, culture, and location.
Fiji’s rich history began more than 350 years ago. The tropical marine climate, has impacted the wildlife that resides there. The unique wildlife is reflected in folktales like The Giant Turtle. The exclusive land features such as, The Sigatoka Sand Dunes, and the land itself are reflected in myths such as the creation myth, and Degei living and dead myth. Fiji’s social structure is also found in The Giant Turtle where kings are reported. Each folklore has been influenced by Fiji’s location, culture, social structure and history.