Timoci Biroko and Alumita Tabua embarked on a significant journey this week, traveling from Cawaira, a settlement near Labasa, to Suva, to commemorate the 160th anniversary of Melanesian labourers arriving in Fiji. Cawaira, which was originally settled by descendants of Solomon Islanders in the 1890s, serves as a testament to the shared history marked by resilience and hard work.
The settlement’s origins stem from Solomon Islanders brought to Fiji by sugarcane planters to work on plantations. One notable figure, Jale Marata, after retiring from the Labasa sugar mill in 1950, constructed a home on Mali Island, naming it “Marata” in honor of his roots in Malaita, Solomon Islands. Today, descendants of these early labourers inhabit villages like Cawaira and Vanuavou, upholding a legacy built through hardship.
Mr. Biroko, who has spent his life in Cawaira and is now in his 50s, participated in a dialogue on Thursday at the iTaukei Trust Board complex, where he and other Melanesian representatives discussed their community’s ongoing struggle for recognition and equal standing in society with Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu. He expressed the perseverance of his community despite facing discrimination and exclusion.
Cawaira currently consists of about 70 houses. The residents, proud of their heritage, aspire to create better educational and economic opportunities for their children, continuing the legacy of resilience passed down by their ancestors. Mr. Biroko reflected on the contributions of their forebears, stating, “Our ancestors were brought here forcefully, yet they built roads, worked on farms, and played a significant role in Fiji’s development.” Today, approximately 30 settlements of Solomon Islanders and Vanuatu communities exist across Fiji.
From 1864 to 1911, over 27,000 individuals from places such as the New Hebrides, Solomon Islands, and Kiribati were brought to Fiji through a practice known as blackbirding, primarily to work on coconut plantations. Despite integrating into local society, many Melanesian communities continue to live in informal settlements. Recognizing this, the government is making efforts to formalize these communities and acknowledge their rich contributions.
During the anniversary events on Thursday, the Melanesian community in Suva gathered to reflect on their history and progress. Minister Vasu recognized the significant legacy of Melanesian descendants in Fiji, offering an apology on behalf of the government for years of unacknowledged contributions. He emphasized the importance of the anniversary theme, ‘Unshackling Our History: Restoring Melanesian History in Fiji,’ as a vital step toward reshaping the national understanding of these contributions.
The government, through the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, committed $100,000 toward the anniversary celebrations, which featured cultural processions and performances along Suva’s foreshore, uniting the community in a spirit of pride and reflection.
This event not only acknowledges a painful history but also sets a hopeful tone for the future, as communities gather together to celebrate their identity and seek greater recognition within wider Fijian society, fostering unity and progress for generations to come.
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