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Fiji is home to a wide variety of people. The majority of the population is comprised of the indigenous Fijians, who have been living for thousands of years on the 322 islands that make Fiji as an independent country. The rest of the population is made up of Indo-Fijians and others. The Indians who now live in Fiji came mostly in the 19th and 20th century as laborers. The languages spoken in Fiji are Fijian, English and Hindusthani. Enriched by the culture that all these diverse groups of people brought to this tiny island nation, arts and crafts in Fiji is now hailed as one of the richest in the world. Fiji Travel Guide makes sure that you come to this island nation with all the necessary information. Arts and crafts in Fiji bear traces of their Polynesian and Melanesian roots. It is a curious fact that men's and women's crafts are different from each other. Located on Kadavu Island, the Nalotu village is widely known for the superior quality of potteries. The making and design of these potteries however is still governed by the rituals. Other villages, namely Nadroga and Rewa also produce fine potteries. Another craft associated with women is the making of Tapa. This part of arts and crafts in Fiji is made from the bark of the paper mulberry tree. Symbolic motifs are painted on Tapa with charcoal. It is now fashionable to carve the maker's name on a Tapa. This item is gifted on special occasions. Mats are another hallmark of the Fijian arts and crafts. The making of a mat involves doing a lot of things. Leaves which are the main raw material of a mat are first boiled and then dried in sun. This makes the leaves hard. The margins of mats are often decorated with colored wool. Among a lot of different mat types, Kuta is most well known. The arts and crafts items are ideal gifts. Arts and crafts contribute a great deal in making the culture of Fiji truly unique.
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