Girmit legacy must guide Fiji through uncertain times: PM

Prime Minister and Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka has called on Fijians to draw strength from the sacrifices and resilience of the Girmitiyas, saying their legacy remains critical in shaping a united and compassionate Fiji.

In his message for the 147th Girmit Commemoration Event, Mr Rabuka said this year’s commemoration comes at a time when Fiji and the world continue to face growing uncertainty and division.

“Today, as we have done over the past three years, we come together once again to commemorate the legacy and contributions of the Girmit era – a defining chapter in Fiji’s national journey,” he said.

“It is a chapter written through hardship and sacrifice, yet sustained by extraordinary resilience, courage and hope.”

Mr Rabuka said while global tensions and conflicts continued to rise, Fiji must remain united and grounded in the values passed down through generations.

“We may be separated by distance, we remain united in spirit,” he said.

“The significance of this day is not diminished in any way. If anything, it has only deepened our appreciation of the Girmit legacy and strengthened our collective resolve to honour it.”

The Prime Minister said the Girmitiyas endured some of the harshest conditions in Fiji’s history after arriving from India aboard the Leonidas in 1879, but still laid the foundation for modern Fiji.

“The Girmitiyas worked long hours in the fields. They lived in confined conditions. They endured loss, separation and hardship,” he said.

“Yet despite the hardship, indignities and suffering they faced, they persevered.”

Mr Rabuka said the Girmit experience was not simply a story of suffering, but also one of transformation and national building.

“These were not merely victims of history; they were agents of transformation,” he said.

“From conditions of hardship and uncertainty, they created lives of purpose, dignity and hope.”

He said this year’s theme, “From Roots to Wings, Carrying the Girmit Flame Forward”, reflected the journey of the Girmitiyas from hardship to hope and reminded younger generations of their responsibility to preserve the legacy.

“The Girmit experience was not only a story of displacement, but a journey in search of belonging and a place to call home,” he said.

“To the descendants of the Girmitiyas, and indeed to all Fijians, today we honour the courage and sacrifices of your forebears.”

Mr Rabuka also reaffirmed Government’s commitment to an inclusive Fiji built on mutual respect and unity.

“As your Prime Minister, I reaffirm our enduring commitment to building a Fiji founded on inclusivity, unity and mutual respect,” he said.

“Let us move forward together, carrying the spirit of the Girmitiyas within us – their resilience in times of hardship, their courage in the face of uncertainty, and their unwavering belief in a better future.”