Architecture of Fiji

The historic architecture in Fiji is primarily limited to housing. These buildings were square in shape with a pyramid-like roof and were made of local woods and leaves. They had simple thatched roofs and walls and little else to distinguish them. However, as mentioned above, often times a person would be killed and buried beneath the pillars of a new construction in order to gain stability, which they believed would be gained by the spirit of the deceased calling upon the gods for support.

Each village also had a village house, often used for meetings and get togethers, in a similar design, but larger. Villages also often had a spirit house for worship. Each village's chief would also have a home in a similar style, but his home was generally raised off the ground higher than the others and was typically larger than everyone else's house.

This simply style continues to survive today, but with the arrival of the Europeans the building materials and techniques have been altered in these houses to last longer. The Europeans also introduced new styles and structures, such as churches and schools.

With colonization, the architecture in Fiji changed significantly, but only in some areas. As the British urbanized, they only brought their architecture to the growing cities in Fiji. Today there exist a number of buildings in the British styles popular at the time, including the Victorian Style. These structures can be seen in churches, houses, and other buildings, most particularly in Suva.

The Indians also brought new styles to the country, most notably in the form of Hindu temples and Islamic Mosques. These religious structures are commonly found in areas dominated by ethnic Indians, primarily in urban centers.

This page was last updated: February, 2013