The tales of different migration may perhaps have brought their ways of living.
Since they were going to be foreigners in a new land, one wonders how auspicious diverse sets of living beings initiate a way to communicate and form an alliance.
Had the aliens introduced and widened their lingo and lifestyle or they themselves had to become accustomed to the Tomaniivi way of life.
In fact, today, there are diverse custom protocols and dialects correlated and furthermore, history held north Vanualevu as a port-o-call hub of early Polynesians.
Interestingly, before this modern life, early life could have been more receptive to foreigners, but prior to the introduction of Christianity, gauna ni butobuto/vei-kanikani (tribal warfare and cannibalisms) were two major events as recorded and written by missionaries. One wonders when this manner of cannibalism was inflicted on our ancestors.
"How true it is that the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty"- words of Rev David Cargill after witnessing a shocking spectacle in the 18th century.
The cession of Fiji to British sovereignty saw a more dominant role within indigenous society as the old religion was gradually replaced by the new Christian faith that was broaden by Christian martyrs.
The principle in Christian credence is virtuous and of an exceptional loving character.
Many a time, our nation has been regarded as a Christian nation since inhabitants assert themselves as God-fearing people.
Do we still regard ourselves (itaukei) true Christians? Are we embracing the biblical perception of love without inequitable?
I understand being a Fijian has nothing to do with either religion or tradition, but being an indigenous Fijian is genetically inherited. An advocate prominent notary once told me, "we can walk together holding hands but we may never see eye to eye".
The British subjugated the islands and brought over suppressed Fijians of Indian ancestral labourers to work on the sugar plantations.
In a further attempt to maintain good relations with its subjects, the colonial government prohibited the employment of indigenous Fijians as plantation labourers. Why? Isolation policy, hmm.
After the pressure by the anti-slavery group in the early 1900's to abolish indentured system, some suppressed Fijians stayed on as independent farmers. Why? Couldn't afford to procure a one way ticket / opt to remain on the prosperous land.
Straightforwardly, different races have enormously contributed towards the building and shaping of our beloved Fiji through their relations, commitment, dedication and hard work.
Today, however, there are still some mindsets of iTaukei to neither accept nor swallow that every Fiji born deserves a Fijian identity.
The drawback could have been for the reason, the lack of education and belatedness in infrastructure development in rural regions.
To the many iTaukei clinching the name Fijian, in fact it came from the translation of Fisi by Tongans which was promulgated by Capt. J Cook to Feejee.
The late proverbial politician, A.D Patel, wished and fought for an independent configuration way of living on the grounds of common law and that was also campaigned by Dr. Verrier's appeal to be in lucid with other races.
Our Fiji has gone through a lot of precariousness on the beginning of democratic rule that was lamentably interrupted by armed revolutions because the fear of domination in many aspects, where also grubby political agenda creep in.
All these burdening obstacles have contributed to the fluctuating progress of this island nation to become a spot on democracy, and further advance the developed hub of the South Pacific.
I would not be surprised if, in the next 10 to 20 years, Fijians of foreign ancestry, will lose their direct exclusivity on document.
On the other hand, there is a silent subject of Fijianess, Indianess and others, that have to be elucidated.
Indigenous Fijians have nothing to lose but others will, if dual citizenships are no longer approved.
Name oneness can bring dissimilar races together, but spot on identity will always speak on deeds.
As the old expressive held: "We can take …out of … but we cannot take …. out of ..."
Nature wits query what the new constitution and changes will bring - no more coups (except to disarm) etc. or will it portray a law that governs our nation and its diverse inhabitants with harmony, peace, liberty and illustrate to preserve the native existence that is shaped as a one-of-a-kind universally.
In assurance and belief of a true democratic structure, our nation has to make off from the Westminster system, ASAP.
The word Fijian could be a misleading relation to the indigenous heritage.
Nevertheless, our factual identity does speak volumes. Our house of worship, beliefs, customs, food, outfits, etc, is where precise identity will always prevail, period.
Today however, race preferably is still in exercise on the weekly pages where roommate, tenant or housemaid is needed. Our cosseting way of life is still an existence where trust and expectation is genetically built within.
The daily lifestyle has changed rapidly among elders and the younger generation in communities, churches, schools, work places and from our very own homes.
The effect of leadership changes in a wider perspective, has led to too much freedom without oversight. The bright lights, electronic gadgets, distant lifestyles, provisions and many more, is an extreme way of living which people adopt to keep up with modern civilisation.
Sadly, there are some string-pulling archetypal means.
The diversity and richness of Fiji can be adequately shared and celebrated by all, regardless of ethnicities or religion. Parents, elders of organisation, groups, churches, school teachers, tokatoka, mataqali, yavusa, liuliunikoro, government and abiding citizens have to value and demonstrate a role of caring conduct in our society for the healthier future generation of our beautiful island home called Fiji.
I believe that any solution of hardship begins at our very own "family forum" where rules and guidelines are foremost established.
The splendid attitude of any branch/seeds will always flourish if only the upbringing by the unwavering root (parents) is founded on love and discipline.
Should the leaders lead this generation by models of authority, exceptional nurture, reverence, positive objective mind-set, our beloved nation would not let go but embrace what we always advocate "the way the world should be".
We should not be disheartened on the changes we are going through during this phase of "for a better Fiji" however; we should cheerfully look beyond to the glory of the future.
Mark 12; 31 "Love your neighbour as you love yourself" is the second most important commandment in the New Testament of the Christian bible. May God bless Fiji and its fusion abiding occupants.
Areki David Dawai lives in Nadi. He is a frequent writer to The Fiji Times. The views expressed are his and not of this newspaper.