Reflecting on a moment in time

ON this day back in 2017, we wrote about a wave of emotions that was linked closely to history.

We had a report on Page 3 that touched on the descendants of indentured labourers and their connection to the vanua of Noco and Rewa.

Marama na Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa made a declaration at Ratu Sauvoli Memorial School, Nabudrau in Rewa the day before that.

She unveiled a plaque to declare their i cavuti. They are now referred to as the ‘Luvedra na Ratu’ or ‘The Children of the Ratu’.

That day the ceremony was extra special. It embraced history, and strengthened a bond that started on angry waves.

What followed touched the human spirit, and the willingness of the people of Rewa to embrace and accept the descendants of indentured labourers as part of them.

The events stood as testimony of the strength of character of the people of Rewa and of their chief.

It stands as testimony of the fact that multi-racialism is well and truly alive. That should serve as inspiration for us all.

As Ro Teimumu said that day, it is about loving your neighbour as you love yourself.

As we reflect on history, we remember that from 1879 through to 1916 indentured labourers arrived in Fiji on ships, having travelled the seas from India.

The average sailing time could be as long as 72 days, from Calcutta to Fiji.

The story of the vessel the Syria, for instance, continues to attract much attention.

History tells us of its journey which began in Calcutta on March 13, 1884.

Except for a minor storm off the Cape of Good Hope along the Atlantic Coast of South Africa, we know the journey to Fiji was uneventful.

We know that it took the ship 58 days to get to Fiji, which at the time, was a record well below the average of sailing ships.

Leave aside any notion of competency or lack of it on the part of the ship captain and his crew, they sighted Kadavu around 9am on Sunday, May 11.

Dr William McGregor wrote about the journey in

‘The wreck of the Syria, 1884’.

He was the chief medical officer and acting colonial secretary of Fiji at the time.

By 8.30pm that Sunday, the wrecked on the Nasilai reef.

There were 497 indentured adults, children, infants and a crew of 43.

Dr McGregor wrote that 56 immigrants and three Indian seamen drowned that day.

Today, we reflect on that journey, the actions of the

vanua, the contribution of the indentured labourers to the development of our nation, and of their place in society. Such moments in time are encouraging. They are reflective of acceptance by the vanua, and of the value of people’s contribution to development. Such moments are inspiring and must be acknowledged.

Syria, he wrote, was