Descendants of Girmitiyas in Fiji will not seek representation on the Great Council of Chiefs, says Sashi Kiran.

“We will not seek a seat on the GCC,” said Ms Kiran, who is also Assistant Minister for Women.

“The GCC is for the indigenous people of Fiji and we will respect that. The Tui Noco is there, that’s our Mata Ni Katuba (door way) and he will represent us on the GCC.”

Descendants of Girmitiyas in Fiji are now known as Luvedra Na Ratu (Children of the Ratu) and were declared as belonging to the Vanua o Noco, Rewa in 2017 by paramount chief of Rewa, the Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa.

Ms Kiran led a group from the Luvedra Na Ratu community yesterday to be part of the Rewa traditional delegation to Bau

“As Rewans, we are here gladly to be part of the event, we’re most grateful to be part of the solevu, to give our gifts. There’s a dozen or so of us and the protocols are still new to us. It’s been a journey and we’re still learning,” Ms Kiran said.

The Rewa delegation presented gifts of mats, bales of cloth, coconut oil, brooms and food items to the vanua o Bau.

Story by: dionisia.tabureguci@fijisun.com.fj