Dance of the Fijian Warriors.

Title

Dance of the Fijian Warriors.

Description

View shows a war dance of the natives of Fiji.

c.

Artist

Anonymus

Historical Description

The archipelago has been inhabited for more than 3000 years by Melanesians, who probably migrated from Southeast Asia. The indigenous people lived by farming (tuber cultivation), pig farming and fishing under primitive social conditions. They adopted many elements of Polynesian culture through contacts with other island populations. Fiji's recent history has been dominated by conflict between the country's indigenous Fijian majority and its Indian-origin minority. In 1643, Fiji was sighted by Abel Tasman, visited by James Cook in 1774, and explored by Jules Dumont d'Urville in 1827. After occasional visits by sandalwood cutters between 1801 and 1813, European planters settled and began growing cotton in about 1860. In 1835, representatives of British missionary societies began their activities. In 1871, a bogus British-style constitution was enacted with Cakobau as king (Tui Viti) and a Council of Chiefs until 1874, when Fiji was declared a crown colony. Australian and British companies subsequently concentrated on sugar cane cultivation.