Fijian Mythology
Fiji is a country in the South Pacific that is known for its rich folklore, religion and extensive mythology. Its gods are composed of Degei, a serpent that is the creator of the world and various others who all owe their attribution to him. Upon entering one of the caves known as Drakulu or Cibaciba, he will immediately judge the souls and send them to paradise. Most of those who enter the lake will eventually sink to the bottom to be punished or rewarded.
In addition to its rich mythology, Fiji also has a wide variety of indigenous religions, such as animism and shamanism. During the 19th century, Christianity was introduced in the country. Islam and Hinduism arrived during the late 1800s and early 1900s, respectively, due to the large number of people from South Asia who were brought to the country.
The main gods were celebrated in the temple known as the Bure Kalou, which was constructed in a manner similar to a pyramid. It was built on a high raised rock foundation. The structure also stood out from other bures due to its unusual shape. The roof of the temple extended into a pyramid shape. The walls of the temple were covered with various offerings, such as a strip of white masi cloth that was used as a conduit for the god. Outside of the temple, various types of plants were grown to provide a tranquil environment for meditation and spiritual contact. Most of the gods were not regarded as being sympathetic to humans’ needs, instead they were powerful and had little concern for the well-being of mankind.
In Fiji, the practice of consulting the spirits world was a part of the religion. It involved using various objects such as a war club or a conch shell to predict the future. It was regarded as a suspicious act, forcing the practitioners to hide their activities.
