When you hear the word Fiji you probably think of exotic beaches, booze, and beautiful resorts, right?
But there’s more to Fiji than meets the eye. It’s also about the culture and beautiful islands.
Here are some facts about Fiji that you have probably never heard about to fuel your adventurous soul.
1. Fiji Has Three Official Languages
Even though iTaukei is the native language of Fiji, it is used as a first or second language by the natives. The Fijians, on the other hand, are fluent in both English and Hindi.
2. The Traditional Drink of Fiji is Kava
In Fiji, drinking kava is a time-honored custom. This drink is made from a root that can be found in many Pacific Island countries, and as I recall, it has a distinctively bitter flavor.
This beverage is not only delicious but also widely used as a local anesthetic and sedative.
3. Monkey-faced Bats Are Native to Fiji
Monkey-faced bats are endemic to Fiji and can be identified by their orange eyes; they were discovered by Ruth Beckon and William in 1976.
However, due to the cloud forests of high mountains, it is extremely difficult to see these bats.
4. Fiji Has Two Native Frogs
Fiji’s native frogs are the wrinkled ground frog and the tree frog.
Their bright orange or buttery yellow coloring, however, means they can only be seen in Fiji’s humid jungle regions, and only if you happen to be hiking through those areas.
5. Raw Fish is a Staple in Fiji
Kokoda is a traditional Fijian dish consisting of raw fish marinated in coconut milk, lime juice, chilies, and onions and then cooked in a bamboo steamer.
6. Fiji Water is Really from Fiji
The Fiji water sold in grocery stores is genuine Fijian water that was first manufactured in 1996 and is beneficial for health due to its minerals and nutritional properties.
7. Meke is Fiji’s Traditional Dance
Meke is a traditional form of Fijian storytelling performed through dance by both men and women.
In contrast to the women’s graceful movements, the men’s moves feature impressive displays of strength.
8. Fiji is Made Up of 332 Islands
There are 332 islands in Fiji, but only 4 are inhabited. The rest are too far away and entry is prohibited.
9. Fiji is Made Up of a Network of Volcanoes
Although the last volcanic eruption in Fiji occurred 500 years ago, the island is surrounded by a network of volcanoes, most of which still have an active thermal presence.
10. The Gift of a Tooth is a Sign of Love in Fiji
To show your gesture of love, it is said that one must propose to their loved ones with the tooth of a sperm whale. Only in Fiji.
11. 40% of the Fijian Population is of Indian Descent
Nearly 40% of Fiji’s projected 3.20 million population in 2021 are Indians. Most Indo-Fijians have ancestors who lived in what is now Bihar and southern India.
12. You Can’t Wear a Hat and Sunglasses in a Fijian Village
In Fijian villages, the only person allowed to wear a hat is the chief. Anyone else wearing one is viewed as disrespectful because the top of the head is revered.
Pro-tip: Don’t put your sunglasses on your head either!
13. Fiji is Spread Across the International Dateline
To avoid Kiribati’s territory, the date line swings far east, almost to the 150° meridian.
In the South Pacific, where the date line swings east, Samoa is one day earlier than Wallis and Futuna, Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand’s Kermadec Islands.
14. Bringing a Gift When Visiting Locals is a Must
It is customary to bring a welcome gift known as sevusevu when touring a village.
Ask the Turanga ni koro (village chief) to present your sevusevu as soon as you arrive. The best sevusevu to use is either powdered or root-based kava.
15. Fiji is an Archipelago of Around 300 Islands and 540 Islets
Fiji is a South Pacific Ocean country and archipelago. About 1,300 miles (2,100 kilometers) north of Auckland, New Zealand, it encircles the Koro Sea.
About 300 islands and 540 islets make up the archipelago, which covers an area of about 1,000,000 square miles (3,000,000 square km). Of the 300 islands, only about 100 are populated.
16. Fiji is Home to 800 Unique Species of Plants Found Nowhere Else on Earth
Over 800 plant species unique to Fiji exist nowhere else on the planet. Native Fijians hold a special place in their hearts for the Tagimoucia because it is connected to a beloved tale from their youth.