Passing down traditional knowledge vital for future generations
Passing down traditional knowledge and skills is vital to preserve cultural heritage for the future generation. Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam (TISI Sangam) Maathar Sangam Lautoka district vice president Kaushal Naicker said this was why members each brought artifacts from their families to showcase at the Girmit day celebration in Lautoka.
The three day celebration was offiially opened on May 10 and held at the Girmit Centre. “Today’s display has actually been here from yesterday and all have been passed down from the Girmitya to their children, the jewelry is passed on from a mother to the daughter and these are all the traditional kitchen items to clean rice and also some to make roti and other items such as bean grinders used for cooking or making spices or chutneys ,theres also traditional farming tools and lanterns,” she said.
“People back then were very resourceful, for example, since they didnt have power in those days, so they would fill a can with kereosene and insert a wick at the top and they use it as a light in the house, they also used coconut husks to wash the pots and Barayara branches to sweep their homes and each item is from our members families passed down to them.”
Gesturing to three pieces of jewellery, Ms Naicker said a member had brought them to showcase at the three day event,
“So this member is already above 60 years of age and shes brought these necklaces and earrings , it’s been passed on from her grandmother to her mother who then passed it on to her so shes brought it here for the display,” she said.
“This is interesting how everything’s well preserved , we are so pleased that TISI had an opportunity to take part of this 145th Girmit day where all mothers got together to up this is a display you see right in front of your eyes. We are so happy that we have this Mother’s Day special for us, so this year’s celebration has brought all the mothers together and we’ll be here through the whole day till night to see the function when it finishes.”