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Religion is another important Fijian activity. Fiji is a multi-ethnicl, multi-cultural society. Fiji adhere to most of the world's major religions. And the Governments religious policy is to allow its citizens freedom of religious practice. The indigenous Fijian religion was animistic and polytheistic. There was an important cult of notable chiefs. Fijians believed in a life after death. Traditional religious practices have generally died out, but they continue to have an imoact. Fijians traditionally believed that thevspirits of theor departed loved ones voyaged to a land of the dead while at the same time remain close to their graves. Modern Christian Fijians still have considerable concern about the spirits of their ancestors. A little more than half of modern Fijians are Christian, including most of the native Fijians. Most of the rest are people who follow religions that come from South Asia. Most are Hindus (nearly-40 percent) and nearaly-10 percent are Muslim. There are also small numbers of Sikhs as well as those who adhere to no religious community. Christianity first reached Fiji as a result of Methodist missionaries (1830s). Other denominations became more active on the Islands after the Pacific War (1941-45). Fundamentalist and evangelical sects have had considerable success in recent years. Indian religions came to the islands with indentured laborors brought to the islands to work on plantations. Native Fijians were unwilling to work on the planatations. Indo-Fijian Hindus follow a range of religious customs that the immigrants brought to Fiji. They can be roughhly divided between reformed and orthodox scts. Muslims are also mostly outh Asian immigrants.
Most Fijians see religion as important and this is in part due the country's religious heritage. The day in a Fijian village begins at sunrise with the beating of luli drum the sound of which is said to awaken the gods.
The indigenous Fijian religion was centered on ancestor worship and contained animistic and polytheistic elements. There was an important cult of notable chiefs. Fijians believed in a life after death. Traditional religious practices have generally died out, but they continue to have an imoact. Fijians traditionally believed that the spirits of theor departed loved ones voyaged to a land of the dead while at the same time remain close to their graves. Modern Christian Fijians still have considerable concern about the spirits of their ancestors. There were important rituals including cannibalism.
There was a polytheistic hierarchy of gods--the 'Kalou' or 'Nanitu'. The individual gods varied from tribe to tribe. Each village had its own priest (Bete). There were temples (Bure Kalou) where the village gods were worshiped.
A little more than half of modern Fijians are Christian, including most of the native Fijians, about 80 percent. Christianity first reached Fiji through Tonga who more readily accepted the Europeans. European Methodist missionaries arrived (1830s). British rule (1874) resulted in a major shift toward Chritianity. Many Fijians joined Christian churches and forsook the tradutiinal religion. Churches were constructed to replace the Bure Kalou which were being torn down.
Other Christian denominations became more active on the Islands after the Pacific War (1941-45). The Methodist Church continues to be the most important. There are Anglican, Catholic, and other churches as well. Fundamentalist and evangelical sects have had considerable success in recent years. The many village churches are often impressive stutuctures with beautiful carvings. .
Most of the rest are people who follow religions that come from South Asia. Most are Hindus (nearly-40 percent). Indian religions came to the islands with indentured laborors brought to the islands to work on plantations. Native Fijians were unwilling to work on the planatations. Indo-Fijian Hindus follow a range of religious customs that the immigrants brought to Fiji. They can be roughhly divided between reformed and orthodox scts.
Nearaly-10 percent are Muslim. Muslims are also mostly South Asian immigrants.
There are also small numbers of Sikhs as well as those who adhere to no religious community.
Fiji has several public holidays based on religious belief. This includes Easter and Christmas (Christianity), Diwali (Hindu), and Mawlid (Islam).
There is no established church on Fiji. And religion is not taught in the public schools. Religiin is taught in the religious-supported schools. This varies, but in presentung their religious bliefs there is a generally tolerant approach to other religions.
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