Timoci Biroko and Alumita Tabua embarked on a significant journey from Cawaira, a settlement near Labasa, to Suva to commemorate 160 years since the arrival of Melanesian labourers in Fiji. Originating from ancestors of Solomon Islanders brought to Fiji in the 1890s, Cawaira serves as a testament to a shared history characterized by resilience and hard work.
These Solomon Islanders were initially brought to Fiji by sugarcane planters to work on plantations. One notable figure from this heritage, Jale Marata, retired from the Labasa sugar mill in 1950 and built a home on Mali Island, naming it “Marata” to honor his roots in Malaita, Solomon Islands.
Today, the descendants of these early labourers continue to reside in villages such as Cawaira and Vanuavou, preserving a legacy crafted through hardship. Mr. Biroko, now in his 50s and raised in Cawaira, participated in a dialogue with the Minister for iTaukei Affairs, Ifereimi Vasu, where he discussed their ongoing struggles for recognition and equality in society. Despite facing discrimination and exclusion, he expressed determination for a brighter future and communal stability.
Cawaira currently consists of approximately 70 homes, with residents aiming to enhance educational and economic prospects for future generations while honoring their ancestral roots. Mr. Biroko remarked on the contributions of their forebearers, acknowledging that while they were forcibly brought to Fiji, they actively contributed to the country’s development by building infrastructure and working on farms.
From 1864 to 1911, over 27,000 individuals from the New Hebrides, Solomon Islands, and Kiribati were engaged in a practice known as blackbirding, which involved their transport initially to Ovalau, where they were further dispatched to agricultural plantations.
While integration into Fijian society has progressed, many Melanesian communities remain in informal settlements. Recognizing this, the government is now making efforts to formalize these communities and acknowledge their contributions that have often gone unrecognized.
During the recent anniversary celebrations, the Melanesian community in Suva gathered to reflect on their shared history and engage with Minister Vasu. He recognized the importance of the legacy carried by Melanesian descendants in Fiji and offered an apology on behalf of the government for years of unacknowledged contributions. The anniversary theme, “Unshackling Our History: Restoring Melanesian History in Fiji,” emphasizes the need to reshape national understanding of these contributions, despite the trauma associated with that history.
The government has allocated $100,000 for the anniversary festivities, which included cultural processions and performances at Suva’s foreshore, fostering a sense of community pride and reflection.
This commemoration serves not just as a tribute to the past but as a hopeful affirmation of the resilience and spirit of the Melanesian community in Fiji, paving the way for a future that honors their legacy while fostering integration and recognition.
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