Fiji Museum

　　The Fiji Museum is a very famous building in Fiji and is regarded as the most important and spectacular historical museum in the South Pacific. Located in Suva, the capital of Fiji, the museum houses a wide range of exhibits—from delicate ornaments of the past to large items such as war canoes—making it an ideal place to explore Fiji’s mysterious past.

　　Although its collection is somewhat limited, the exhibits are well-organized and document various aspects of Fiji’s history. These include stone tools over three thousand years old, rifles and leather-bound Bibles brought by settlers who conquered Fiji, as well as Bibles used during the British colonization. One display case features a long robe and mandarin jacket from the Qing Dynasty, and upon closer inspection, the text reveals the history of Chinese arrival in Fiji. But perhaps the most chilling part of the museum is its coverage of Fiji’s “cannibalism” history. In those brutal times, indigenous tribes frequently engaged in warfare and bloodshed. Among the exhibits are hard wooden chisels and spoons that were specifically used for consuming human flesh. The story of Reverend Baker being eaten by locals is one of the most widely told tales over the past century. The Bible, comb, and remnants of boots that Baker once used are still preserved in the Fiji Museum today, serving as a reminder to visitors of the tragic fate that befell missionaries on this otherwise beautiful island.