FIJI PEOPLE : Are they Really BLACK? // 10 Shocking Facts About Fijians.

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The Black people of this world are scattered far and wide. And in discourse about Black cultures they are often overlooked. In today’s video, we look at the Fiji people. The indigenous people of Fiji, commonly referred to as iTaukei, have a rich history dating back approximately 3,500 years. They are believed to be descendants of the Lapita people, a prehistoric Pacific Ocean people who were skilled navigators and potters. The Lapita culture is known for its distinctive pottery and seafaring abilities, which facilitated the spread of their communities across the Pacific islands, including Fiji.
Fiji, officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about 1,100 nautical miles north-northeast of New Zealand.
Origins
The Fijian people trace their ancestry back to the Melanesian and Polynesian migrations. Melanesians are believed to have arrived in Fiji around 3,500 years ago from the islands of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Polynesians followed, navigating vast ocean distances to reach Fiji. This mix of Melanesian and Polynesian influences is central to the Fijian identity, shaping their culture, language, and social structures.
Demographics
As of the 2020 census, Fiji has a population of approximately 900,000 people. The population is ethnically diverse, with the indigenous iTaukei making up about 54% of the population. Indo-Fijians, descendants of Indian laborers brought to the islands during the British colonial period, constitute about 38%, and the remaining population includes Rotumans, Europeans, Chinese, and other Pacific Islanders.
Genetic Composition
Genetic studies have provided insights into the complex ancestry of the Fijian people. Research indicates that the genetic makeup of Fijians is primarily a mixture of Melanesian and Polynesian ancestry. A study conducted by Friedlaender et al. (2008) analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome data, revealing that Fijians share genetic markers with both Melanesian and Polynesian populations.
The genetic landscape of Fiji is further complicated by the arrival of Indo-Fijians, who add South Asian genetic components to the population.