FIJI Independence Day 1970 Part 1/5

Описание: Fiji became a colony in 1874 when the Fijian tribal chief, Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau, voluntarily ceded the islands to Britain. The British operated a system of indirect rule in Fiji, under which the British Governor worked in consultation with village chiefs with a policy of preserving native traditions (McIntyre, 2001, 668). By the end of the decade, the British had created their first sugar plantations. Here they disallowed the use of Fijian labour, due to the islanders' tradition of subsistence agriculture, and instead brought in contracted Indian workers (McIntyre, 2001, 668-69). Indians soon made up a substantial proportion of the population of Fiji, and from 1946 until 1989 were in the majority on the islands (McIntyre, 2001, 680-81). Since independence, the parliament of Fiji has been dominated by Native Fijians. The tribal leader, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, held the office of Prime Minister for an almost unbroken period from 1970 to 1992, and served as President from 1993 to 2000. Attempts by Indian political parties to hold power have ended in disarray (as with election victory of 1977), or they have been thwarted (the election of Fiji's first majority Indian government in 1987 resulted in two military coups; and in 2000, Mahendra Chaudhry, Fiji's first Indian-Fijian Prime Minister, was deposed in a further military coup). Ongoing ethnic tensions have led to large number of Indian-Fijians and other minorities emigrating from the islands. Fiji has also twice been expelled from the Commonwealth. Independence celebrations at Albert Park: military parade; tribal dancing by indigenous Fijians; dance by Indian women; oriental aerobics display; dance by indigenous Fijian women; warrior dance; parachutists. Night scenes: Indian women dancing; a dragon procession; tribal dancing; firework display. Albert Park Stadium, 11 October 1970: ecumenical service featuring representatives of the islands' different religions, attended by Prince Charles and Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara. 12 October 1970: Prince Charles visits Levuka, where he unveils a memorial commemorating Fiji's independence and greets servicemen. Prince Charles on fishing trip near Bau Island. 13 October 1970: Prince Charles visits Labasa (where he drives a steam locomotive, cuts cane, plays a traditional board game, watches dances, and inspects troops), Taveuni (which is muddy from rain), and Savusavu (where the chairman of the independence celebrations committee crowns the winner of a competition). 14 October 1970: Prince Charles visits Nadi (where he sees another tribal dance), Bau (where he is garlanded), and Lautoka (which he rides through in open-backed Land-rover and where he presents a trophy after a rugby match). Prince departing in Royal plane after another inspection of troops and a farewell to the Prime Minister and other dignitaries. Aerial shots of Fiji. Shot of clock at 10 o'clock. Fijian flag being raised.