115 years on, Khan family reunites to honour Girmit legacy

More than a century after their Girmit ancestor arrived in Fiji, generations of the Khan family reunited in Sabeto last week to celebrate 115 years of shared history, heritage and family bonds that now span the globe.

The three-day reunion, which ended last Sunday, brought together descendants of Girmitiya Rahmat Ali Khan from Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, England, Canada, the United States, Hawaii and other parts of the world.

The gathering featured cultural activities, entertainment and family celebrations, while giving relatives an opportunity to reconnect and honour their family's journey.

The gathering featured cultural activities, entertainment and family celebrations, while giving relatives an opportunity to reconnect and honour their family's journey.

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Khan Group chief executive officer Mohammad Nasir Khan, the eldest son of Mohammed Yaqub Khan, Rahmat Ali Khan's youngest son, described the occasion as unforgettable

"It was a truly memorable weekend filled with unity, love and family pride," Mr Khan said.

For Zaina Khan, who lives in England, the reunion carried special significance after years of separation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It really was amazing to be back with all the Khan family, especially after the hardship, isolation and separation during COVID," she said.

Ms Khan, the eldest paternal granddaughter of the late R.A. Khan through her grandfather M.R. Khan, thanked the organisers for bringing the extended family together.

For Zaina Khan, who lives in England, the reunion carried special significance after years of separation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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"I am super appreciative of all the effort our organising committee and the wider families put into organising the reunion events," she said.

"It was so well organised and so much fun for all ages and generations. It's bittersweet going back to Saudi Arabia for work, but I carry with me new stories of our heritage, new memories from this reunion and even deeper connections within the family.

"Even though we are distant, there is no distance between our love for each other. We are a huge family, and we are blessed to remain connected no matter where we live in the world. The best part is when family becomes friends."

Ms Khan, who previously served as programme manager for the Nadi and Suva Road Infrastructure Upgrading Project (NASRUP), left Fiji 10 years ago to care for her mother in London.

"She was not well, and I wanted to be with her. I will never regret that since she is no longer with us," she said.

The three-day reunion, which ended on July 19, brought together descendants of Girmitiya Rahmat Ali Khan from Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, England, Canada, the United States, Hawaii and other parts of the world.

A legacy that began with Girmit

At the age of 23, Rahmat Ali Khan arrived in Fiji aboard the S.B. Genghis No. 5 in 1911 after a 72-day voyage.

After completing his indenture in Sabeto, he settled there and raised nine children — six sons, Shafiq, Rafiq, Taki, Jalil, Yusuf (who later relocated to India) and Yakub, and three daughters, Basheran, Jaytun and Naziran.

His first job was transporting British colonial officers between Natova, Sabeto, Wailoko and Lautoka Bazaar using horse-drawn transport.

In 1944, he established a transport business. During World War II, the family rented horses to American servicemen. When the Americans left Fiji, they gifted the family several vehicles, including a bus and a Ford van, which were used to transport passengers between Sabeto and Nadi.

The service later expanded on a scheduled timetable and grew into a successful transport business.

Over the years, the family diversified into earthmoving, bus services, trucking, investments and imports.

One of the highlights of the reunion was the Khan Boys Horse Race in the Sabeto mountains, celebrating the family's equestrian roots while bringing generations together through friendly competition.