The stories and the information that artifacts in the Girmit Exhibit at the Fiji Museum hold is very important, especially when the full history is not widely known and there is a mindset of division in the country.
This has been highlighted by Fiji Museum Customer Service Officer and Junior Producer Josevata Bose while shedding light on the various Girmit artifacts in the museum.
Bose says while growing up he only learned about the Girmitiyas coming to Fiji only on one ship, the Leonidas which was the first to bring Girmitiyas to Fiji.
While speaking to fijivillage News, he says learning about the actual history that there were 87 voyages and 42 ships, changed perspectives and the way people view their Indo-Fijian brothers and sisters.
He says it has come a long way, and somehow people still have the mindset to differentiate us.
Bose says it is important to learn about where we come from, as it helps us develop a strong sense of identity and move forward as a people.
INSERT: Bose on development 8 may
While speaking about the Girmit Exhibit, Bose says a Girmit section in the museum was opened with a few Girmit artifacts in 1998 and reopened after renovation in 2023.
The exhibit features artifacts such as utensils, tools, musical instruments, jewellery and idols brought to Fiji by Girmitiyas.
Bose says artifacts were donated and some had to procured through the descendants of the great-great-grandsons and granddaughters of the first Girmitiyas.
He says the exhibit is just the tip of the iceberg regarding the many artifacts the indentured labourers brought over, and there are many more still in storage and collections that may also need to be displayed.
Bose also says there is a need to increase the museum space for other artifacts to be displayed.
He further says if there are other artifacts or heirlooms passed down through generations of Girmitiyas, then asks that they be kept properly and safely or the Fiji Museum would be more than willing to preserve those artifacts and display them so people can learn more about the history.
We will be highlighting the various artifacts on our Facebook page, fijivillage, throughout the week, where you will get a chance to learn more about a piece of our history.
As Girmit Day will be celebrated on Friday, people are being invited to visit the Fiji Museum’s Girmit exhibition and take part in the celebrations at the museum.
Entry will be half price at $5 for adults and free for children.
