Re-Storying Melanesians in Fiji
160 years after the first people stolen away from their homes arrived in Fiji, bound to labour on plantations far from home for a three-year-term they did not negotiate for themselves, some of their descendants gathered in Suva, to share knowledge, learn, remember, and celebrate their community.
This was not the first time the descendants of blackbirded people had gathered together in this way, but it was the first time that the Fijian government had shared the resources of the state to support them to do so. This financial contribution enabled people to travel to Suva from settlements all around the Fijian islands. It also placed the experiences and contemporary needs of these descendant communities firmly on the government agenda. Not only did the Prime Minister, the Honorable Sitiveni Rabuka, and Minister Ifereimi Vasu speak to the people who attended, but leaders of the community advocated for their own needs.
On Thursday 7 November, some attendees gathered in the Talanoa Lounge in the Council of Chiefs buildings in Suva for a day of seminars which culminated in the drafting of an outcome statement to be presented to the government, asking for administrative and legislative support for the betterment of the community. The Ministry of iTaukei Affairs (whose Minister opened Thursday with a speech) is now looking at these items. This is a significant step, as iTaukei Affairs is the equivalent of ‘Indigenous Affairs’ ministries in other many other countries—but in recent decades, iTaukei Affairs has not encompassed members of this community, though they have indigenous Fijian ancestry.
On Friday 8 November, huge numbers of people from settlements all over the Fijian islands gathered at the Suva Foreshore, welcomed by the Prime Minister, and undertook important cultural protocols, listened to or offered talanoa, watched an adaptation of parts of Butakoci, saw some of their young boys performing a dance from the Solomon Islands, and all danced together to the music of the Yanu Boyz, Natalie Raikadroka, Phil Dakei, and Laisa Vulakoro.
On Saturday 9 November, they joined in a thanksgiving church service.
In the above video, we have endeavoured to present some of the important moments of this significant community event, seeking to capture the spirit and the many various experiences of such a momentous occasion. The background music was all recorded on 8 November; alongside the speakers, there is music from the production Butakoci, songs performed by the Yanu Boyz, and other music accompanying the Solomoni youth group.
Video credits
Camera operators: Jonati Torocake and Koliaci Vuacati
Film editing: Amy Olrick