Report on the 150 Commemoration on the arrival of the Melanesian Labourers 1864- 2014

1.         INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND

The 150 Commemoration of the arrival of the Melanesian Laborers to Fiji from Friday 07 to Sunday 09 November, 2014 at Levuka was very emotional, inspiring and an eye opening to many Melanesian Laborers descendants that were present during the 3 days at Nasau Park in Ovalau. The event begins with a re-enactment of the arrival of the 35 Laborers believed to be from Vanuatu with a march from the landing site on the forefront beside the monument of the war veterans from the Levuka Hospital point, the site where Melanesian ancestors were sold to white planters from all around Fiji.

Thirty-five descendants wore traditional costumes worn by their ancestors when they arrived. The march stopped in the middle of the town opposite the Catholic Church where 35 Balabala trunks was planted symbolizing the 35 laborers.

The event was attended by descendants of Melanesian Labourers from all over Fiji and including the Solomon High Commission; His Excellency Mr. Patteson Otti who accompanied the descendants from the landing site to Nasau Park

At the Nasau Park a delegation from Vanuatu led by the Minister for Lands Honorable Ralph Regenvanu, Chiefs from Ovalau and Moturiki and some elders who are also descendants of Melanesians waited to accept the march led by the Solomon High Commission.

The event was opened by the Assistant Minister of Education, Heritage and Art, the Honorable Vijay Nath who was the Chief Guest accompanied by the Director Culture and Heritage Mr. Peni Cavuilagi and government Official including the PA Lomaiviti and the Roko Tui Ovalau with a full iTaukei traditional protocol accorded to the chief guest. 

The Fiji Melanesian Association and the Levuka Town Council were the main organizers.

The cost of the 3 days event was $31,200.00 through the financial support provided by the Office of the Prime Minister, Department of Culture and Heritage, the Chinese Embassy, The Solomon High Commission Office and Mrs. Lesley Bryant from the Queensland South Seas Islanders in Australia.

Five Buses loaded with descendants from the 19 settlements from Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Descendants were accommodated at the Eli Peceli Hall, Baba, Kalaba, Wailailai settlement and  St. James Primary School.

2.         SUMMARY OF THE EVENTS

Day 1: Friday 07th November, 2014.

The programme on day 1 started with a reenactment in the foreshore, followed by a March to Nasau Park.

 The Chief Guest in his opening address encouraged descendants to remember the past and at the same times strive for the betterment in their future. They were also encouraged to take advantage of the provisions in the Constitution and at the same time, the different programmes provided by the government like free tuition fees and scholarship and other programmes that will benefit them personally and also as a group.

Mrs. Selina Sanegar who reflected the history of Melanesian ancestors arrival and  the hardship Melanesians faced during their stay in Fiji concluded that although they have been pushed from one identity to the other they are proud of their origin, history and identity and see themselves as Kai Solomoni, Kai Vanuatu, Kai PNG and also a Kai Viti. Mrs. Selina also thank the Bainimarama government for understanding the plight of the Melanesian Community and after 150 years of their existence they now been recognized as Fijians in the Preamble of the 2013 Fiji’s Constitution.

After the Official opening, invited guest and descendants were entertained by traditional dances/meke from some Melanesian descendants and later a “Taralala” in the ground by men and women.

Day 2: Saturday 08th November, 2014

The day opened with stories and reflection from elders who are first and second generation descendants with entertainment by young people from Baba and Wailailai settlement in Levuka and some youth groups from Suva who graced the crowed with a Solomon Islands traditional dance.

 At midday, the Fiji Melanesian Association held its 25 Annual General Meeting at the Eli Peceli Hall. The AGM concluded with a new name for the Association endorsed by the members to be the Fiji Melanesian Council to replace the Fiji Melanesian Community Development Association. The new name also comes with a new structure where all tribes were represented to the Council, compared to the old structure where descendants of Malaitans from the Solomon Islands dominated the Melanesian Association holding the post of President, Secretary, Treasurer and other Committees.

The new chairperson that was elected was Mr. Joe Sanegar who although a Malaitan descendants from the Solomon Islands Mr. Joe Sanegar was chosen based on his experience and as a long serving Civil Servants with a vast experience in community development and is also one of the founder of the Fiji Melanesian Development Association in 1988. Mr. Joe has been a community person and has also involved in the Anglican Church as a project officer with the –Angli-Care Ministry.

Miss Abong is a young lady who is also a community person and was also involve in the Catholic Church and the Vanuatu Community in Fiji was elected as Deputy Chairperson. 

The names of the Council members elected on Saturday 08th of November, 2014 is Annex 2.0. The total numbers of Council members were 33 including the president of the Women and Youth wing. Mr. Pateresio Nunu was anonymously elected to head the new formed Fiji Melanesian Council Secretariat and as the General Secretary.

Day 3: Sunday 09th November, 2014

On the 3rd day, descendants attended their various church denominations in Levuka. Some went to the Anglican Church, some to the AOG, Catholic, Methodist, CMF, All Nations and New Methodist.

At 2:00pm a combine church service was held at the Elipeceli Hall where all descendants gathered together for a thanksgiving service. All tribes presented their items, especially the youths and young children who performed action songs and skits. While Fr. Jeke Abunio from the Anglican Church in Matata Lami delivered a sermon.

In the afternoon, a farewell grog session held at the Levuka Village Community Hall before the descendants departed in the morning at 4:00am to Viti Levu and Vanua Levu

3.         CHALLENGES

The 3 days event was done according to the programme prepared by the Melanesian Association but changes were made when need arises. However, there are some challenges faced during the 3 days.

a) One of the major challenges was the weather. The rain begins to fall since the first day the descendants arrived in Ovalau. However, this did not dampen the spirit of the descendants to continue with the programme until the 3^rd Day.

b) Lack of proper communication and Fijian protocol followed by organizers in Levuka

c) Lack of preparation by descendants of Melanesians around Fiji

d) Lack of support by the main line churches where they all turned down request for a combine service on Sunday.

e) Lack of funds to cater for other cost within the 3 days.

4.         ACHIEVEMENT AND OUTCOME

1)The commemoration event was successfully implemented as all programmes for the 3 days was done as expected with the following achievements.

a) The 400 descendants expected to attend the Commemoration from Viti Levu and Vanua Levu was able to attend the event through the financial assistance provided by the following agencies and individual for transportation of descendants to Levuka.

•           The Department of Culture and Heritage

•           The Chinese Embassy’s  Office

•           The Solomon High Commissions Office and

•           Lesley Bryant from the South Seas Islanders Association Queensland Australia.

b) The Food, Accommodation and cost of facilities, and transportation within Ovalau are funded by Lesley Bryant and the Prime Minister’s Office.

2) Descendants were able to reconnect with their relatives locally and abroad. This was seen in the family reunion done during the 3 days and also plans were made for re-unions in Suva by some tribes and clans.

 3) Reconnecting of descendants to their roots or original islands in the revival of their tradition, culture and languages.

4) Empowerment of descendants to be proud of their identity  as Descendants of Melanesian Laborers and at the same as Fijians.

5) Empowerment of descendants to be proud of their history and contribution to Fiji.

6) Re-enforcing  commitment  to  be  good  citizens  of  Fiji  and  continue  with  their contributions economically, socially and culturally to the Fiji Islands.

7) Embracing  of  change  in  Fiji  through  the  new  direction  set  by  the  current government

8) Embracing change in transiting from the Fiji Melanesian Community Development Association to the Fiji Melanesian Council.

9) The AGM was successfully conducted and a new name and structure was adopted and passed during the AGM

10) A new chair and deputy with 30 members of the Council was elected based on the new structure.

5. CONCLUSION & WAY FORWARD

The event concluded on a high note and after the 3 days; plans have been made by the descendants to meet in various locations in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.

Below are some way forward for the descendants of Melanesian in the years to come.

1)      The  Fiji  Melanesian  Council  (FMC)  should  maintain  the  new  structure  and strengthened the FMC through fair representation from all Tribes.

2) The FMC to strengthen its financial mechanism through the contribution from their members of tribes rather than relying more on the government and donour agencies.

3)  The FMC to request Government through the Prime Minister’s Office for funding assistance or grant for Melanesian Vasu iTaukei to be directed to the Fiji Melanesian Council for the establishment of the Secretariat Office for the first 4 years.

4) The FMC to request government through the PM’s Office for recognition of the FMC that has a mandate to represent the Melanesian People of Fiji

5) The FMC to request government for a recognition day of the arrival of indentured laborers from the Pacific Islands and India

 6) That the future Commemoration Event   should be extended and inclusive of other Pacific Islands of origin and Indians

7) That the Government through the Department of Culture and Heritage should take responsibility in the revival of Culture, Tradition and Languages of Melanesians descendants in Fiji.

  APPENDIX 01:         BREAKDOWN OF FUNDS DONATED BY DONORS

FUNDING AGENCY

AMOUNT DONATED

ACTIVITIES COVERED UNDER                   THE FUND

SERVICE PROVIDER

COMMENETS

 

Prime              Minister’s Office	$10,000.00	The       funding covers Accommodatio n,             Ground, Shed, Food/Meals  for 3       days         in Levuka	Lomaiviti, Methodist  and Levuka                Town Council	Receipt              fr payments         is attached     and Cheque          for payments         is directed               to service provider as per funding proposal
Lesley Bryant	$8,000.00	Funding Covers transportation of                      60 descendants from  Viti  Levu to Levuka Suva/Levuka/S uva  and  Food and Transportation withinOvalau for the 3 days	Patterson Shippingand Levuka                Town Council	Cheque  is  paid directly to Patterson Shippingfor transportation, whileother funds   for   food and transportation within Ovalau is managed        by LevukaTown Council
Chinese Embassy	$5,000.00	The         funding covers transportation 118  descendants from  Viti  Levu @$60 per head Suva/Levuka/Suva            and        15 from         Vanua Levu                 at $100.00     per head               Vanua Levu/Levuka/V anua        Levu total        of    133 passengers/ descendants	Patterson Shipping	Cheque Directed Patterson Shipping
Department of Culture and Heritage	$3,600.00	The         funding covers transportation of 60 descendants    @ $60   per   head	Patterson Shipping	Cheque                 is directed               to Patterson Shipping  as per funding

 

		from Viti Levu Suva/Levuka/S uva		proposal
Solomon         High Commission	$3,600.00	The         funding covers transportation of 60 Descendants from Viti Levu Suva/Levuka/S uva	Patterson Shipping	Cheque directed to Patterson Shipping
TOTAL	$30,200.00

 

 

 

APPENDIX 2.0 MELANESIANS SETTLEMENTS REPRESENTED IN THE EVENT

 

 

No	SETTLEMENT
1	WAILOKU
2	TAMAVUAIWAI
3	MATATA
4	NAIKOTOKOTO MATATA
5	KALEKANA
6	WAIDRADRA
7	NADRALA NADROGA
8	LAUTOKA/NAVUTU
9	MANIAVA
10	WAINUNU BUA
11	NAVIAVIA WAILEVU
12	MALAITA SAVUSAVU
13	MANIKOSO
14	VILLAVOU
15	NADAWA
16	NEWTOWN
17	CAUBATI
18	TACIRUA
19	NAMARA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 APPENDIX 3.0 LIST OF FIJI MELANESIAN COUNCIL MEMBERS

NO	NAME	TRIBE/ORIGIN	AREA
1	Richard Koi	Buka PNG	Ovalau and Eastern Division
2	Lorosio Waqa	Pentecost Vanuatu	Ovalau Eastern Division
3	Antonio Tiko	Ambae  Vanuatu	Ovalau Eastern Division
4	Jimi Tawai	Bali Solomoni	Ovalau Eastern Division
5	Selai Murray	Wai Solomoni	Ovalau Eastern Division
6	Inoke Sololo	Vataleka/ Kuwarai Solomoni	Ovalau Eastern Division
7	Jimi Rido	Bali  Solomoni	Vanua Levu
8	Jone Kalakai	Kalakena  Solomoni	Vanua Levu
9	Jotame Ratuloa	Vataleka Kuwarai	Vanua Levu
10	Gasio Rokoduru	Abrim	Ovalau Eastern Division
11	Agnes Abong	Malekula Vanuatu	Viti Levu and Vanua Levu
12	Jack Koi	Buka  PNG	Fiji Wide
13	Eileen Moli	Ambae  Vanuatu	Fiji Wide
14	Eparama Siga	Sadro Vanuatu	Central Eastern
15	Tomu Nawako	Sadro Vanuatu	Northern and Western
16	Jone Sade	Merelavo Vanuatu	Fiji Wide
17	Maikeli Tukana	Lakoni Vanuatu	Fiji Wide
18	Akanisi Bole	Motalava Vanuatu	Fiji Wide
19	Miachle Malo	Maevo Vanuatu	Fiji Wide
20	Gasio Rokoduru	Abrim Vanuatu	Fiji Wide
21	Tome Anikisuna	Marata Solomoni	Central Eastern
22	Jale Tora	Marata Solomoni	Northern
23	Are Maori	Marata Solomoni	Western
24	Kelemedi Vokona Replace Aminiasi Abariga February Deceased  2015	Bali Solomoni	Viti Levu
25	Tomasi Aloi	Wai Solomoni	Suva Nasinu
26	Are Marika	Wai Solomoni	Viti Levu South
27	Jale Suvadi	Kalekana Solomoni	Suva Central
28	Demesi Kedei	Vataleka/Kuwarai Solomoni	Viti Levu
29	Jeseva Lasea	Kuwaio Solomoni	Central
30	Fulori Lasea	Kuwaio  Solomoni	Eastern
31	Akuila Cama	Kuwaio Solomoni	South and Western
32	Joe Sanega	Chairperson Solomoni	Wailoku
33	Lucy Abong	Deputy Chair Vanuatu	Fiji Wide
34	Laisa Rayawa	President Melanesian Women’s Wing Solomoni	Fiji Wide
35	Are Marika	Youth President Solomoni	Fiji Wide