The name 'Fijian'

Suva

I thank Timoci Gaunavinaka for his response to my letter on the issue of Fijian as a national name.

I had said that the National Council for Building a Better Fiji (NCBBF) formed by the Bainimarama regime in 2008 had recommended that the Fijian be the national name and this be taken up to the Bose Levu Vakaturaga for acceptance.

The NCBBF was a multi-racial group of prominent citizens led by the late Archbishop Petero Mataca.

Mr Bainimarama ignored their advice and imposed the name by decree. Mr Gaunavinaka was only concerned with the financial and consultation costs.

It would have cost very little financially had Mr Bainimarama done what the NCBBF recommended nine years ago.

But it would have paid much in moral and social dividends to the people of Fiji as a major symbolic act of respect and reconciliation, especially with the owners of the Fijian name.

He argues that “Fijian”, since it was invented by a foreigner, there was no need to get permission from the people who have had this name and identity for over 150 years.

The name Fijian was legally possessed by the iTaukei, since the Deed Cession 1874, which was a legally recognised act of giving sovereignty by the first Bose Levu Vakaturaga. The name has existed in our laws since. All that was needed was a symbolical approach to the Bose Levu to give the Fijian name to all citizens as an act of reconciliation, respect and inclusiveness in 2008; something similar to the inclusive gesture of the Chiefs of Rewa. Mr Gaunavinaka ridicules the ceremony of “Vakatokayaca” of the chiefs of Rewa giving recognition and status to the descendants of the Girmityas.

He said these are just words and have no meaning. He arrogantly insists that the chiefs and people of Rewa should gift the Girmityas some land like what was done by the Chiefs of Serua to Ben Ryan.

Neither Party to the naming and reconciliation event in Rewa expected any land because it is the relationship and the honour given by the status of “Luvedra na Ratu” that mattered.

It was given by the Chief of Rewa and the descendants of the Girmityas have not asked for it. It was the same in Serua. Mr Gaunavinaka’s ignorance of iTaukei culture and history is shameful.

Since Gaunavinka lives in Nausori, he should take his blinkers off and look around there and Suva and its hinterlands. Have not the people of Rewa already given away much land to tens of thousands of us who are settled in their province?

He needs to go to the Rewa Provincial Council office or talk to Ro Teimumu Kepa and find out the positive actions that have been taken, especially from the people who represent the Girmitya descendants, consequent to that historic event.