We found some like-minded members of our community y’all!!  Big shout outs to the artists, creators, and community organizers who made us feel real special during our meetup.  This is a testament to what happens when you put yourself out there, tell your truth, and inspire community amongst a group that has been pit against one another; you find the like-minded folx who want to see you win just as much as you want that for yourself.  Unlike the attitude and feelings the British had towards the Indians whom they indentured!  In this episode we talk about the jahaj - or ships - that transported indentured labourers to Fiji.  "Jahajis" refers to the indentured Indians on the ships.  The Leonidas was the first ship that carried the first ever group of 500 Girmitiyas from Calcutta, India to Levuka, Fiji in 1879.  The four month voyage became more and more bleak as their destination neared.  The arrival itself was met with immediate quarantine with armed oversight due to disease on the ship.  This is but a glance into what the traumatized Jahajis-turned-Girmitiyas experienced in those few months before and after their voyage on the Leonidas, and we pray that we have honoured them well.

Sources:

‘A History of Indian Immigration and Settlement in Fiji’  KL Gillion, 1958

‘Girmit’  Ahmed Ali, 2004

‘Chalo Jahaji : on a journey through indenture in Fiji Part 2 Chapter 8: The Voyage of the Leonidas’  Dr Brij V. Lal., 2000

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Producer: Mat Trewhit @mattrewhit

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Ashneil: @ashneilprakash