Explore Indo-Fijian Culture in Fiji for FREE
Indo-Fijians today number approximately 10 million in the island paradise of Fiji. Descendants of indentured Indian laborers, Indians in Fiji are now an integral part of society in the magical south pacific island of Fiji. Now, thanks to Fiji Airways and PKT, you can spend 2 nights at the Sofitel Resort in Nadi for FREE*.
Bula!
Fiji is a nation of 900+K people with 333
islands, blessed with heavenly, untouched beauty. Fiji's population is
comprised of 54% native Fijians with a mix of Melanesian and Polynesian
ancestry, and 38% Indo-Fijians, approximately 350,000 people. Indians in Fiji
are now an integral part of society in the magical south pacific island of Fiji. Now, thanks to Fiji Airways and PKT Tours USA,
you can spend 2 nights at the Sofitel Resort in Nadi for FREE* by booking a trip to Australia, New Zealand or Fiji.
Arriving in Fiji up to 130 years ago, Indo-Fijians are still
considered vulagi (visitors) by native Fijians, but this hasn’t stopped
Indians from adding their own touch to Fiji’s rich mosaic of traditions and
culture. With resilience and an entrepreneurial spirit, they have created a
presence that permeates the entire country.
Fiji may be known for leis and crafts, white sand beaches, and luxury
resorts (which are amazing, we admit). But Indo-Fijian culture provides yet
another aspect – festivals, temples, shopping, and food. They’re all as colorful as you might find in
Rajastan, but with a uniquely Fijian flavor.
Many of the formalities that
were carried from India have been cast aside by Indo-Fijians after years of
living life on the island. This has given birth to an evolved and relaxed
culture, infused by the infectious liberalities of the Pacific way. It’s an
Indian lifestyle unlike you’ve ever seen or experienced anywhere in the world.
A Brief History
Indians arrived earliest by way of indentured labor by the British to
work the sugar cane fields in the 1870’s. Adapting through their pioneering
way, these early Indians laid the foundations for a unique Indo-Fijian cultural
identity which would lay the foundations for later generations to follow and
grow.
Very soon into their new lives on the island, Indian workers realized
that they would have to make changes to their strict social and religious codes
from India. Plantation life was simply too restrictive and tough and so
laborers started eating, socializing, and marrying across religious and caste
lines. Cultural and religious practices
were not abandoned, rather the new Indo-Fijians threw away whatever social hang
ups they may have had. The process of
choosing only the Indian customs that fit the island life had begun.
When it was time to return home to India after their contracts had
expired, many Indians decided to stay in Fiji. Reasons for staying back
included not being able to afford the trip back to India, or being ineligible
to do so. For some, the possibility of
being rejected from their communities for breaking Indian norms. Whatever the
reason was, staying in Fiji and starting fresh was a much more attractive
alternative for many Indian workers.
In 1919, by the time
indentured labor was abolished, rice, sugar-cane, tobacco, and cotton farms had
been set-up by Indo-Fijians on land leased mostly from native Fijians. In the 1930’s the big move into commerce
began, when a second wave of business migrants came from India. Hard working as they were, Indo-Fijians were
becoming prosperous. Eventually by the mid-1900s, Indo-Fijians were
dominating agriculture, indispensable to the economy, business, and public
service. At the time, they outnumbered native Fijians as well.
The Indian in Indo-Fijian
The Indo-Fijian community has a strong identity in its adopted
homeland, having been there for some 5 generations. It’s a unique cultural
blend of Indian and Fijian. Being an ethnic Indian is more about being brought
up a certain way, with a certain outlook on life. Throw in a thrifty attitude
and you have package of an Indo-Fijian!
India remains a cultural beacon for Indo-Fijians and influences
entertainment, rituals, fashion, and of course culinary traditions. These cultural
elements provide more of the obvious cultural distinctions between native Fijians and Indo-Fijians.
Homemade Roti (traditional bread) straight from the kitchen is a favorite
of most Indo-Fijians, along with piping hot curries with rice. Sweets (mitthai)
can usually be found at the end of the meal. The curry combo easily finds its
way to the workplace, schools, and outdoors.
Saris, the colorful traditional Indian dress worn by women, are also
popular in Fiji due to tradition, pride, and identity. The Punjabi-influenced salwaar-kameez, which
is a flowing pant, top and scarf outfit, is also standard across the country.
Many temples across the landscape also lend to the particularly Indian feel.
Red flags on top of flag poles in the backyards also are reminders of the
strength of Indo-Fijian adherence to their Hindu faith. Fiji’s population is
made up of 38% Hindus and 8% Muslims.
Bollywood film and music
are wide seen and heard in Fiji, with local movie theaters providing a healthy
dose of Bollywood movies. For many, Bollywood films are the only connection
they have with India and sub-continental Hindi.
The Fijian in Indo-Fijian
Living in the islands for over 100 years with the laid back native Fijians has had an effect on the Indo-Fijians. Because of the distance from
India, the social mores and rigidities of the caste and social structure have
been long discarded in favor of non-discrimination. The relative ease with
which Indo-Fijians socialize and engage is perhaps one of the main
characteristics that sets them apart from sub-continental Indians, especially
the middle classes in India.
Although arranged marriages are still the norm, generally Hindu
wedding practices have changed. Weddings are still distinctly Indian, but in
Fiji they are pretty much standard and are a variation of different
traditions. Friends and family will
attend, and the ceremony will last at least an hour.
A more significant cultural
departure from India has been the birth of a unique Hindi dialect known as “Fiji-Hindi”. Fiji-Hindi is an amalgam of different
regional dialects spoken by the indentured workers from India. Nowadays it is
used in all informal social and family settings, however in India it would be
referred to as “toota-phoota”, or broken Hindi. Indo-Fijians continue to use it
with regularity and so it is increasingly accepted as a legitimate dialect.
Coming Together as Indo-Fijian
The manner in which the two groups co-exist and influence each other,
despite the differences that may exist between Indo-Fijians and native Fijians, is a testament to their shared experiences over a century. There has
been no halt in the mutual cultural exploration by Indo-Fijians and native Fijians.
Increasingly, members from
both communities speak the other’s language. Many native workers who work
along with Indo-Fijians speak Fiji-Hindi fluently, while families immerse
themselves in Bollywood films. Conversely, Indo-Fijians in rural communities
also speak Fijian. Indo-Fijian songs and music have been recorded and released
by native Fijian artists.
In urban centers, pop culture and fashion are breaking down
barriers. During the Hindu festival of
Diwali (held in October or November), a visit to Fiji will reveal many native Fijian women wearing Indian fashion. native women are also wearing Indian style jewelry as well as
traditional sari cloth for traditional outfits. Clubs are pumping Bollywood DJ
mixes while bars serve bowls of curry with drinks the same as Indo-Fijians do
in their homes. Indo-Fijians partake in the native dominated rugby.
But perhaps the most
delicious and amazing marriage has been that of Indian food with native Fijian life. Curry is served almost daily in many homes. So if you’re invited
to a native Fijian’s home, you may not be eating Islander fare! 
Eateries
abound in towns and cities that serve home-style meals, but be sure to explore
some of the smaller towns that cater to Indo-Fijians. Often seasonal veggies
such as kerela (bitter melon), duruka (Fijian asparargus), and katahar
(jackfruit). Don’t forget to try their pickles and chutney made from local
fruits such as mangoes, tamarind, and kumrakh (star-apple). Put in a little
effort, and you’re sure to experience a culinary adventure unlike you’ve ever
tasted.
Festivals also provide an ideal chance to experience Indo-Fijian culture.
Diwali for example can be enjoyed on the island and you can join in the fun by
wearing some traditional garb and sharing sweets and lighting candles (or
fireworks!).
The best way to experience
Indo-Fijian culture is to share a meal at the home of an Indo-Fijian. Need an
invite? Visit the always sociable Indo-Fijians at some of their favorite shops
or cultural venues around urban centers. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to
experience a glass of fresh country-style lemon juice or a village-style curry
feast with farm to table vegetables. But be sure to take some sweets with you
for your hosts!
Bula Vinaka... and see you in Fiji!
How to take advantage of the offer + Terms and Conditions:
-
Offer valid from April 9 – April 15, 2019
-
Stop-over consists of two (2) nights stay in
standard category room with breakfast and taxes at the Sofitel Resort in Nadi,
Fiji
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Must purchase a round-trip ticket on Fiji
Airways with PKT Tours USA, Inc.
-
Must book a land tour of at least 10 days with
PKT Tours USA, Inc. to Australia and/or New Zealand with Fiji Airways between
now and April 15, 2019
-
LAX/SFO à AKL Black-out periods: April 19 – 29, 2019;
June 10 – July 28, 2019; October 4 – October 20, 2019;
-
AKL à LAX/SFO Black-out periods: April 11 – April 12,
2019; June 28 – August 11, 2019; September 20 – October 6, 2019
-
Valid for travel commencing on or after April
10, 2019 and complete on or before December 10, 2019 OR Valid for travel
commencing on or after February 1, 2020 and completed on or before March 31,
2020.
-
Sale permitted in US/CA/UK/EU only
- Additional terms and
conditions apply