THE descendants of the Syria which hit the Nasilai reef 132 years ago are now Rewans.
This was confirmed by the head of the Burebasaga Confederacy, Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa, yesterday during the Rewa Day celebrations while accepting the descendants of the girmitya to commemorate 100 years of cordial relationship with the people of Noco District.
In a moving address at Nausori’s Syria Park yesterday during the second and final day of the celebration, RoTeimumu said the descendants were now home at last with fellow Rewans.
“You are home at last with your fellow Rewans and when we’re together, we’ll be a greater force to be reckoned with; and together we will build a better future not only for Rewa but for the people of Fiji,” Ro Teimumu said.
“Today (yesterday), we the people of Rewa welcome this special delegation of the descendants of the survivors of the Syria to Rewa Day to re-establish and re-new old ties,” she said.
The chief of the Rewa Province in her address did not dwell on the historical details nor the political implications of the indentured labour system, but on the principles of human decency and milk of human kindness based on God’s love for all mankind.
Ro Teimumu also commended the forefathers of the Noco District who dared to implement one of the sea rescues of our history.
“It is my honest belief that the principles of love and kindness, the traditions of a warm, welcoming and nurturing nature had been firmly planted; the same spirit motivated our Noco villagers to such brave acts of kindness and nobility,” she said.
Noco District rep Ratu Mitieli Naivaluvou said the victims of Syria who were laid to rest in individual graves in Noco had turned into a seed of a tree of relationship.
And by giving dignity to the dead, Ratu Naivaluvou said a strong bond of friendship and togetherness bound the two communities.
He reiterated the words of Tui Noco, Ratu Isoa Damudamu to the descendants saying “You belong to Noco and that means you belong to Rewa and that you belong to Fiji”.
