Welcome to 'On Air'

The music of Fiji represents the indigenous traditions of Fiji along with those of India, China, Europe and other Pacific Islands. Fijian music styles and structures include and combine Polynesian and Melanesian music.

Fijians play both indigenous instruments as well as the guitar, ukulele and mandolin. Several kinds of drums are the main indigenous instruments. They were formerly a means of communication, announcing events of social significance such as wars, victories, births and deaths, each of which was announced by their own, distinctive rhythmic patterns.

Today, these drums are made of hardwood, shaped and hollowed out to produce a deep resonance, which can be heard at a distance of eight kilometers. Usually a pair of drums is used, one larger than the other, played by one or two players using wooden beaters.
The Pacific Islands

The islands of the Pacific, with their beauty and romance, have always gripped man's imagination. Raised above the sea, in wondrous and spectacular splendour, they shimmer like an oasis. For those of us in need of solitude and adventure, these beautiful tropical islands also offer an escape - a place of refuge, serenity and excitement. In their greenness and freshness, the islands conjure up visions of unending youth and a heavenly paradise - crystal sea, sparkling white sand and surf, golden yellow rays of sunshine - a dawn to night sky of many colours - from vivid sapphire blue to topaz and turquoise, garnet and ruby to amethyst, citrine, peridot and emerald to the unique mystique of a theatrical curtain of exquisite Tahitian black pearl and onyx, gloriously enhanced by a galaxy of brilliant starlight diamonds - illuminated and moonlit by a majestic mother-of-pearl - encapsulated by the jubilant embrace of delightfully cool prevailing trade winds. Of these wonderful dream-worlds, it is Oceania that offers the most beautiful, enchanting and magnificent chains of pure and natural multicolored gem-clustered islands.




OCEANIA

The term Oceania is normally used to designate all the islands of the Central and the South Pacific including Australia (continent), New Zealand, and sometimes the Malay Archipelago. On this Web site, the focus is primarily directed towards the Pacific Islands of Melanesia (including Papua - formerly Irian Jaya), Micronesia and Polynesia (including the Polynesian nation of Hawai'i), as well as both Australia and New Zealand.