Girmit descendants urged to donate family treasures for national museum

Girmit descendants have been urged to contribute ancestral items and artefacts for display at the proposed Girmit Museum, with supporters saying the collection should reflect the true history and contributions of Fiji’s girmitiya community.

Pundit Suresh Kumar said the museum should not only be viewed as a Government initiative but as an opportunity for descendants to share family belongings for national recognition.

He made the remarks during a Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs public consultation in Labasa yesterdday focused on preliminary works for the state-of-the-art Girmit Museum.

Pt Kumar said being a descendant of girmitiyas was both a source of pride and a responsibility to ensure displayed items were authentic and reflected their historical value.

While the museum would have a physical structure, he said its true significance would come from the artefacts, stories and traditions showcased inside.

"The museum will breathe alive with a range of artifacts, stories, musical items of the traditional nature, portraits of girmitiyas, typical girmitiya jewelleries, clothes, food spices, all this will need to be compiled first," he said.

The 75-year-old Vunicuicui resident said the museum would help preserve the values and contributions of girmitiyas to Fiji.

"The traditional way of cooking, undertaking housework, dressing-up, musical instrument playing, sugarcane farming, religious devotion to Hindu texts and stories are part of the girmitiyas history," he emphasised.

Pt Kumar said personal collections could play an important role in building a national display where future generations could learn about Fiji’s history.

"The life, struggles and contributions of the girmitiyas is a national history which must be learnt by every citizen," he said.

Project architect Ashok Bal Govind said donated items would be credited to their sources, with informative plaques recognising contributors.

"So, people donating will be recognised for their contribution to the museum's knowledge bank," Mr Govind said.

He said the museum would introduce a pay-to-enter system once operational, with revenue supporting maintenance and preservation.

Mr Govind said the first phase of design works would begin in the coming months, with construction targeted for early 2027.

The expected construction cost is $2 million, subject to ministry approvals and the tender process.