TO honour the struggles and sacrifices of the Girmitya ancestors, Suva jewellery house Lords Jewellers Limited has curated a special cultural jewellery display to celebrate the rich heritage and legacy of Fiji’s Girmitiya community.
Lord Jewellers Limited owner Himmat Lodhia said the exclusive exhibition, titled “Girmit Heritage Jewellery – From Girmit to Generations,” showcase traditional jewellery styles inspired by the Indian indentured labourers who arrived in Fiji between 1879 and 1916.
He said the display highlights the cultural significance of jewellery carried through generations as symbols of identity, resilience, tradition and family heritage.
“Jewellery has always been more than adornment, it represents identity, memories, family traditions and cultural pride,” Mr Lodhia said in an interview with this newspaper.
“This special display is our tribute to the Girmitiya journey and the generations that followed.”
The collection features traditional-inspired pieces including bangles (Churi), mangalsutra (sacred Hindu necklace worn by married women to symbolise committment, love and marital status), nose rings (Nath), Anklets (Payal) and traditional earrings (Jhumka).
“These days you see a lot of new jewellery coming out in machines but in those days, they had all handmade jewellery, so most of the jewellery that you’d see on display that we have would be handmade jewellery, they were not even cast jewellery,” Mr Lodhia said.
“These are very elaborate adornment, they would be heavy, some of them would be clumsy and all that, but they were personal wealth of the Indian ladies at that time and some of them have religious significance too,” he said.
The exhibition also incorporates historical visuals representing the arrival of the Girmitiyas aboard the Leonidas, life in Fiji’s sugarcane plantations and the enduring influence of Indian culture in modern Fiji.
According to Mr Lodhia, the display is aimed to honour the sacrifices and the strength of the Girmitiya ancestors while educating younger generations about the importance of preserving cultural traditions.
Members of the public, schools, community groups, and cultural organisations are encouraged to visit and experience the girmit heritage displays at Lords Jewellers Ltd, 19–23 Cumming Street, Suva.
