CWM-TIM 2023

 A SPIRITUAL CONNECT TO THE FIJIANS PICTURE: Fayaka in front of Ratu Finau Canoa      AS I entered this place, immediately I felt   a   chilling breeze right on my flesh, and my     soul was certain that this place is sacred. One of the members from one of the groups that are also attending a workshop in PTC asked us about the experience we had as he claimed that "I heard that you went to the Museum... how was it..?" Involuntarily, the first words that came from me were that - "You should go. We met the ancestors of the Fijian indigenous people there, they are welcoming!" "Wait! What..?! Are they mummified??! He exhaled! In laughter I responded; that no! What I meant actually is that when you enter the Voyagers Fiji Museum you immediately feel a wind running on your skin as if you've entered a sacred place (if you know what I mean), and actually, that's how the museum is treated by the people of Fiji - Sacred Place. For me, in the M...

 As teachers, we would always believe that a child should always have toys to play with at an very early age. This allow them to use their creativity while developing the dexterity, imagination and emotional strength. Seeing this in the Fijian museum amazed me and with a thankful heart to the missionaries, they knew and acknowledged the needs of the children present during their teaching.  Imports and Exports were not exercised at the time hence the use of what was available from the surroundings to build these beautiful handmade dolls. Reminiscing on my younger days, the joy of receiving a Barbie doll to play with was all I wanted for Christmas.  Therefore, imagine the joy that I had when playing with my dolls and the joy these young Fijians felt when they saw  these hand-made dolls by the missionaries. It is an experience that I will always remember!

If you want to know about culture and tradition of a country, you must visit the museum of that country at least once. In this way, you about a country in less time. So when I went to the museum in Fiji, the thing that I like the most is the atmosphere there. It was very clean, quiet and beautifully decorated. Here, the independence of Fiji, which country they were under, how their livelihood was, all that was written and arranged. In particular, there was an idea about their life was with nature. And if you go a little inside, you can see  information about Indians. They came to this country, and we see how they got a place to live here, Some information about their life journey is also given in that small room. The saree caught my attention because it is a part of our native culture. So after seeing everything, when I went to the exit door, I saw a shop there too. Apart from 📚, there are also some local items that you can buy. We had a good time there and learned a lot.

The first time when I saw Shark Rattle, I thought it served the same purpose as Bear Bell. In Taiwan, when we go mountain climbing,  especially some higher mountain, we were suggested to bring the bear bell. When it make noise, bears will know there are people here and won't come close. But when I searched for shark rattle, it serves a completely different purpose. A Shark Rattle made from eight coconut shell halves threaded on a stick loop. When we placed it in the water and shaken vigorously, the noise is said to sound like a shoal of fish. These will attracts sharks to come. So the fisherman can catch them.

Museum talks about our people's past, reminds the present generations of the their ancient cultures and traditions. Many times we forget our roots, cultures and indigenous elements which are overridden by modern elements.  This museum is really a eye opener and wonderful place. Lot of historical things, cultural items, their ancient boats, vessels, clothes etc were preserved in that museum. Fijian history and it's relations which was influenced by colonization of British empire had a great impact on Fiji in all ares and levels of live which is observed through things displayed.    Came to know about Indio- Fijian relationships in the past and how Indians came to Fiji and settled down here, transfer of knowledge and other skills and techniques. How Fijian people accommodated foreigners in their land, their cultures, their traditions etc. Most importantly caught my attention, missionar...

Story of Indo - Fijian Experience  Girmit - The Agreement Life in India for many people at the time was tough. Babies born during that time could expect to live, on average, for just 24.5 years. Lack of rain and poor management of resources by the British Government resulted in widespread famine. Food and jobs were scarce. The Indo-Fijians arrived in Fiji in 1879 with 463 laborers, and between 1879 and 1916, over 60,000 Indians landed in Fiji for Girmit. The agreement was for five years of indentured labor, and after five years with many choosing to remain in Fiji and become their home, leased land from iTaukei and developed their own sugarcane fields or cattle farms.