Indian indentured laborers, known as Girmityas, were brought to Fiji after signing an Agreement (Girmit) that made them legally obligated. After slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1833, there was labor shortage in the tropical colonies. This led to the beginning of Indian indentured immigration.
Around 60,000 Indians sailed to Fiji's sugarcane plantations between 1879 and 1916, seeking new opportunities. For Fiji, most of the south Indian emigrants were recruited from North Arcot, Madras, Krishna, Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Thanjavur, Malabar and Coimbatore.
The British India Steam Navigation Company and James Nouree were the two maritime companies that dominated the industry for the transporting Indian emigrants to Fiji.
It took almost three months to complete the grueling voyage to Fiji. Many people were ill or died because of the unsanitary and congested conditions on the ships. The desire to pay off debts or the prospects of a better future kept the laborers going despite these difficulties.
When the laborers arrived, their living and working conditions were subpar. There were many plantations, and the labor was physically demanding. The overseers frequently treated the laborers harshly. Despite of these obstacles the Girmitiyas maintained their religious and cultural customs, preserving something approaching a community.
A unique Indo-Fijian culture emerged throughout time because of the indenture system, blending elements of Indian customs with the native Fijian setting. The laborer’s and their offspring’s economic contribution were substantial, especially in the sugar sector, which grew to be a vital element of Fiji’s economy.
One of the reasons why Fiji is sometimes called “Mini India” is because of its significant Indian population. This sizable community has had a profound impact on the island’s culture, cuisine, traditions, language, and festivals. Festivals like Diwali and Holi are widely celebrated. Indian languages like Tamil and Hindi are spoken alongside English and Fijian.
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