Fijian chiefdoms

Fijian chiefdoms appears on the timeline as a people or culture of New Guinea and Melanesia (Oceania) from c. 500 BCE to 1874 CE, a span of 2,373 years. Its people spoke Austronesian languages (Malay, Javanese, Cham, Tagalog, Malagasy, Polynesian, Maori).

Fiji's chiefdoms, grouped into confederacies such as Bau, Rewa and Cakaudrove, fought frequent wars and traded with Tonga and Samoa. Bau's chief Cakobau rose to dominance with muskets and in 1871 formed a short-lived kingdom.

See Fijian chiefdoms on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 500 BCE to 1874 CE
Duration: 2,373 years
Type: People or culture
Region: New Guinea and Melanesia, Oceania
Language family: Austronesian

Came from

Lapita culture c. 1600 to 500 BCE

Became

Colony of Fiji 1874 to 1970 CE

Events in Oceania during its time

1000 Polynesians settle East Polynesia
1180 Building of Nan Madol
1280 Polynesians reach New Zealand
1606 Duyfken lands in Australia
1642 Tasman reaches New Zealand
1778 Cook reaches Hawaii
1788 First Fleet lands at Sydney Cove
1840 Treaty of Waitangi

Neighbours in Oceania

Tu'i Tonga Empire c. 950 to 1865 CE
Saudeleur dynasty c. 1100 to 1628 CE
Colony of New South Wales 1788 to 1901 CE
Kingdom of Hawaii 1795 to 1893 CE
Colony of New Zealand 1841 to 1907 CE
Spanish Marianas 1668 to 1898 CE
French Polynesia 1842 CE to the present
Kingdom of Tonga 1845 CE to the present
French New Caledonia 1853 CE to the present
Dutch New Guinea 1828 to 1962 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE, Europe
Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE, North and West Africa
Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty) 1270 to 1974 CE, North and West Africa
Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America

Questions

When did Fijian chiefdoms exist?

c. 500 BCE to 1874 CE, about 2,373 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Fijian chiefdoms?

New Guinea and Melanesia, in Oceania.

What language did Fijian chiefdoms speak?

Austronesian. This family includes Malay, Javanese, Cham, Tagalog, Malagasy, Polynesian, Maori.

What came before Fijian chiefdoms?

Lapita culture.

What came after Fijian chiefdoms?

Colony of Fiji.