This multidisciplinary work addresses a critical gap by integrating Girmitiya identity into broader theories of diaspora and transnationalism. It redefines unique diasporic spaces by bridging theoretical frameworks with a deep empirical exploration of the Indo-Fijian experience.Tracing the evolution of Indian indentured labourers transported under the British colonial system into settled, influential citizens of Fiji, this book maps their migration, settlement, and contemporary life. By navigating complex host-land politics and economic contributions, and by maintaining an unbroken, vibrant connection to their ancestral homeland, Indo-Fijians created dynamic, hybrid zones that are uniquely their own, distinct from both India and Fiji. The book first establishes robust theoretical frameworks for diasporic identity, then situates specific elements of Indo-Fijian political activism, economic impact, and cultural retention.A trailblazing reference for scholars, researchers, and enthusiastic readers, this book offers a systematic account of how historical migration shapes modern transnational identities. Its deep insights into transnational community dynamics also provide valuable perspectives for policymakers.
Amba Pande is a scholar of Diaspora & Migration Studies and works as Documentation/Research Officer at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Chapter 1Introduction: Theoretical Approaches to Diasporas and Diasporic IdentitiesChapter 2The Indentured Labour System and Migration of Indians to FijiChapter 3Negotiating Identity through Political Struggle: Indo-Fijians and Racial Politics in FijiChapter 4Building Identity through Economic Contribution: The Indo-Fijian Impact on Fiji's EconomyChapter 5 Navigating Socio-cultural Spaces: Integration and Indo-Fijian IdentityChapter 6Conclusion: Reading Indo-Fijian Identity through a Diasporic Lens