Timoci Biroko and Alumita Tabua embarked on a significant journey from Cawaira, a settlement near Labasa, to Suva this week to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the arrival of Melanesian laborers in Fiji. The Cawaira settlement, originally founded by descendants of Solomon Islanders brought to Fiji in the 1890s, serves as a testament to their resilience and hard work.
The history of Cawaira and similar communities stems from Solomon Islanders who were transported to Fiji by sugarcane planters to serve on the plantations. One such individual was Jale Marata, who, after retiring from the Labasa sugar mill in 1950, constructed a home on Mali Island, naming it “Marata” in homage to his birthplace in Malaita, Solomon Islands. The descendants of these laborers continue to live in locations like Cawaira and Vanuavou, preserving a legacy forged under challenging circumstances.
At a dialogue held at the iTaukei Trust Board complex, Mr. Biroko, a Cawaira native in his 50s, joined other Melanesian representatives in a meeting with Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu. This gathering focused on the community’s quest for recognition and equality in society. Mr. Biroko expressed, “We were often discriminated against, excluded from society,” while emphasizing their ongoing fight for a stable and prosperous future.
Cawaira currently hosts approximately 70 homes, and its residents take pride in their heritage, aspiring to enhance educational and economic prospects for their children, embodying the perseverance of their ancestors. Reflecting on the contributions of their forebears, Mr. Biroko remarked, “Our ancestors were brought here forcefully, yet they built roads, worked on farms, and played a significant role in Fiji’s development.” There are nearly 30 settlements of Solomon Islanders and Vanuatu individuals in Fiji today.
From 1864 to 1911, more than 27,000 individuals from the New Hebrides, Solomon Islands, and Kiribati were brought to Fiji through a process known as blackbirding, which involved their transportation first to Ovalau and then to various locations for work on coconut plantations. Despite integrating into Fijian society, many of these Melanesian communities continue to reside in informal settlements.
The Government is making strides to formalize these communities, recognizing their contributions, which many Fijians remain unaware of. During the anniversary events, the Melanesian community gathered in Suva to reflect on their heritage and engage with Minister Vasu, who recognized the historical significance of Fiji’s Melanesian descendants. He extended an apology on behalf of the government for the years of unrecognized contributions and affirmed the importance of the anniversary theme, “Unshackling Our History: Restoring Melanesian History in Fiji,” in reshaping the national acknowledgment of their efforts.
The Government allocated $100,000 to support the anniversary celebration, which featured cultural processions and performances along Suva’s foreshore, fostering a sense of pride and unity within the community.
This moment serves as a hopeful reminder that acknowledging the past can pave the way for a brighter future for the Melanesian descendants in Fiji, as they strive for recognition and equality in a society that increasingly values their contributions.
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