New Book to Preserve Fiji Hindi Language
The University of Fiji Press has launched a new book titled Khatta Mittha Bàt to commemorate Girmit Week.
The book was launched to showcase the Language of Girmit, a unique language which emerged as part of the experience of indenture on plantations in Fiji.
It was edited by Fijian academics Dr Farzana Gounder, Dr Nikhat Shameem, and Ms Jennifer
Khan-Janif to help preserve and promote the Khatta Mittha Bàt Khatta Mittha Bàt
The book also contains a collection of Fiji Hindi kahawat and advice, most of them linked with the evolution of Indo- Fijians as Girmit descendants and inheritors of a Girmit language, identity and culture.
The book’s Editors acknowledge the contributors, including photographers, writers, artists, friends, family, muses, community members and participants of their orthography workshop in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand in May 2020.
They are also grateful to UNESCO New Zealand for providing financial support for the workshop, which allowed them to trial and further standardise the Fiji Hindi orthography that was then used in the book.
The book was launched by Ambassador Robin Yarrow at the University of Fiji Samabula Campus.
Mr Yarrow said Fiji was an indelible
part of his life as he grew up in Western Viti Levu in the 1950s.
“After University I was initially based in Lautoka in the Ministry of Agriculture, for the first 5 years of my civil service career – much of this time involved travelling across the rural and often remote areas of the Western Division from Ra to Nadroga-Navosa as well as to the Yasawa group,” Mr Yarrow said.
“Visiting farms and meeting and getting to know farmers of all races was a priority. Discussing their issues and aspirations, including their land use, crops and livestock as well as understanding the many challenges was a rich experience for me which I will always value.
“Fiji’s tangible and intangible heritage – our mix of land and water, people, customs and traditions, stories and of course language make our country quite distinctive from the more than 20 other Pacific Island states.”
Mr Yarrow said he was fortunate to have visited several Caribbean states each comprising significant populations of Indian origin.
“Many of whom came from the same areas as those who originally came to Fiji – these states include both Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.
“It was apparent to me there that the Hindi language and culture have been much more effectively retained in Fiji.”
Khatta Mittha Bàt is published by the University of Fiji Press.