What country had Fiji been ceded to in the late 19th century?

In the late 19th century, Fiji was ceded to Great Britain. The formal cession occurred in 1874, when the Fijian chiefs signed the Deed of Cession, making Fiji a British colony. This move was influenced by the desire for stability and protection against external threats, as well as internal conflicts among Fijian tribes. Fiji remained a British colony until it gained independence in 1970.