Venkat Raman
Auckland, May 15, 2025
Fiji Indians in the greater Auckland region will pay tributes to their ancestors and recall their ordeals as indentured labourers in Fiji at a special meeting on May 17, 2025.
Organised by the Fiji Girmit Foundation, the Thirteenth National Annual Girmit Remembrance Day will be held from 5 pm on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Malaeola Community Centre located at 16 Waokauri Place, Mangere, South Auckland.
The event, which attracts almost 2000 people, will commemorate this year the 146th Anniversary of the arrival of the first Girmityas in 1879.
The Fiji government observes May 14 as the Girmit Day, marking it as a public holiday.
The Girmit period in Fiji (1879–1920) marks one of the most significant chapters in the country’s history. It began with the arrival of the first group of Indian indentured labourers on May 14, 1879, aboard the ship Leonidas. Over the next four decades, more than 60,000 Indians were brought to Fiji under the British indenture system to work on sugarcane plantations.
Endurance and Hope
Fiji Girmit Foundation President Krish Naidu said that the Girmitya journey was one of endurance, heartbreak, sacrifice, and unyielding hope.
“Torn from their homeland and bound by the cruel chains of indenture, the Girmityas carried within them a fierce determination – to survive, preserve their culture, and carve out a future for those who would come after them. Today, their legacy lives through us, woven into our identities, our achievements, and our communities. It is our solemn duty to ensure their stories are not just remembered but honoured with the dignity they deserve,” he said.
Mr Naidu said that it is easy to forget the immense sacrifices of our ancestors.
“But without their grit, their resilience, and their quiet, steadfast strength, the freedoms and opportunities we now enjoy in Aotearoa New Zealand would never have been possible. Their struggles laid the foundation for our successes, and their suffering must never be relegated to the margins of history,” he said.
More than a Commemoration
According to Mr Naidu, Girmit Remembrance Day is more than a commemoration.
“It is a call to unity, a time for families, youth, elders, and the wider community to stand together in remembrance, solidarity, and pride. It is a moment to reflect, to reconnect, and to celebrate the unwavering spirit that binds us all.
“For our younger generations, Girmit Remembrance Day is a powerful bridge to the past, an opportunity to learn about the journeys of their parents, grandparents, and ancestors, shaped by adversity, survival, and perseverance. The sacrifices made by our elders did not end with Girmit. Even here in New Zealand, our parents and grandparents have laboured tirelessly, giving up comforts so that their children might have the futures they could only dream of. These sacrifices must be recognised, respected, and honoured.
We urge our youth to embrace the values of the Girmit legacy with pride, to carry forward the strength, resilience, and integrity of their forebears while forging their own meaningful path in Aotearoa. Theirs is a history of courage; ours must be a future worthy of that sacrifice.
The Legacy of the Girmityas
The indentured labour system was brutal. Shipped to Fiji in overcrowded vessels, the Girmityas endured gruelling journeys, only to arrive and face an existence of backbreaking work under inhumane conditions. They toiled on sugarcane plantations, often treated no better than slaves. Physical punishment was rampant, diseases spread, and dreams of prosperity faded into an unrelenting cycle of struggle.
Yet, despite the unimaginable suffering, the Girmityas endured. With resilience woven into their very being, they fought for a better tomorrow, not for themselves, but for the generations to come. They unified themselves under an improvised ‘Fiji Hindi,’ and consolidated their customs and traditions, refusing to let despair erode their identity.
Today, the descendants of the Girmityas stand tall across the world. The Fiji Indian community has flourished, excelling in business, education, politics, and beyond. From humble beginnings, they have built legacies of success, all while honouring the sacrifices that made their achievements possible.
Keeping the Memory Alive
Their stories deserve to be told, not merely as chapters in history, but as reminders of courage and resilience. Across Fiji and the global diaspora, efforts have been made to ensure that future generations understand the legacy of the Girmityas.
Annual commemorations are held in their honour, cultural organisations educate the youth, and families pass down tales of struggle and triumph. The memory of the Girmityas is not just preserved—it is celebrated.
To ensure that the experiences of the Girmityas live on, many writers, filmmakers, and historians have dedicated themselves to chronicling their history. Books such as Tears in Paradise by Rajendra Prasad offer a harrowing look at the lives of indentured labourers, giving voice to their suffering. Documentaries like Beyond the Wave bring visual narratives that stir the soul, showing firsthand accounts of the hardships faced.
Additionally, cultural festivals and exhibitions have been organised to educate and engage younger generations. These initiatives serve not only as a history lesson but as a tribute to the unbreakable spirit of the Girmityas.
The Fiji Girmit Foundation
The Fiji Girmit Foundation plays a crucial role in safeguarding this legacy.
It ensures that the descendants of the Girmityas remain connected to their history.
The Girmityas endured the unfathomable so that their descendants could thrive. We owe it to them to remember, to honour, and to share their story.
