Details

Latitude

-17.96485

Longitude

178.4635

Start Date

2131-07-16

End Date

2131-07-16

Cuvu, Sigatoka - at Nadola Vishidhya Nand Sharma (Interviewer) Shriman Nanhu (Speaker) Hindi (both sides) Monday, March 1970. During the Easter period. Shriman Nanhu an indentured labourer from the “Kurmi” agricultural community of India, is interviewed about his personal experiences as a “Girmit” in Fiji and the origins of Fijian Hindustani by Vishidya Nand Sharma. Nanhu recounts his journey from India as he is deceived into signing an indentured labour agreement by who he thought to be a relative. He is then taken to the Kolkata depot to be transported to an area near Suva, Fiji. During his voyage Nanhu describes the separation between Indians from different regions and their inability to communicate with each other. The roots of Fijian Hindustani are explored and according to Nanhu, was developed by children in an attempt to play and communicate with each other. The two discuss the differences between Fijian and Indian cultures and languages, providing examples of each. Sharma explains how certain words and phrases that are pronounced in Fiji are of particular interest to Jeff Sigel Nanhu recounts his tumultuous life as a “Girmit” where he was subjected to beatings and tasked with jobs, which conflicted with his religious beliefs. Nanhu retells an anecdote of when a fellow “Girmit” chased down and attacked a white man in an act of rebellion. (Prash Krishnan, March 2019)

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