Bhojpuri Bihari in Fiji

Introduction / History

The Bihari of Fiji have their ancestry in Bihar, a state in eastern India. As a result of the depressed social conditions in India during the late 19th and early 20th century, numerous Indian Hindus and Muslims signed five-year contracts to work as indentured servants in the Fiji Islands sugar cane fields. Many spoke Bhojpuri, thus the name Bhojpuri Bihari.

However, the traumatic move pushed them into even greater economic turmoil in a strange land. Herded into a ship's cramped quarters, they were forced to eat, drink, and live next to people of every caste.

The plantation system in Fiji and the native Fijians, who looked at them with contempt, further added to the loss of their Indian value systems. When their contract was completed, many leased land and remained small-time farmers. As the years passed, most Bihari lost their ties with India. Today, most of Fiji is a mixture of groups with various social, ethnic and religious origins.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The first Bhojpuri Biharis, like many other South Asian migrants, came to Fiji as indentured servants. They worked in the sugar cane fields. The original tenant structure was supposed to be small enough so the tenant could farm the holding without outside help. Although a farmer can grow most of the rice and vegetables his family needs, this rarely happens. Instead, farmers buy what they need and go into debt until the harvest brings in their yearly income. Bihari farmers commonly hire assistants to cut their share of cane.

There is tension between the Bihari Hindus and Muslims in Fiji. Both cultures normally keep obvious religious prohibitions. For example, following Hindu belief, most Hindus are reluctant to sell cattle for slaughter. Although Muslims and Hindus generally observe feasts, fasts, festivals and holy days they have less significance for the whole community.

What Are Their Beliefs?

About two-thirds of the Bhojpuri Bihari people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins. Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.

Typical Hindu roles of caste and religion appear to be modified on Fiji. In India, an individual is born into a particular caste associated with a trade or profession. These castes are ranked from high to low in terms of purity or pollution. One could marry only within one's caste and members of different castes usually have nothing to do with one another. On Fiji, however, marriage according to caste is no longer mandated. The caste system is weakening in the new environment.

What Are Their Needs?

A few of the Bihari in Fiji are Christians. Hindus represent the majority and Muslims make up much of the remainder. Scriptures have been translated into Bihari, and the JESUS Film and gospel recordings are available in the Bihari language. Who will distribute them?

Prayer Points

Pray that Bihari Christians in Fiji will live lives that are a strong testimony of what God can do in the life of a sold-out believer.
Ask God to create a hunger in the hearts of the Bihari and an openness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers to the Bihari in Fiji.
Pray for the effective use of the JESUS Film.
Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of Bihari Hindus and Muslims towards Christ.
Ask the Lord to raise strong local churches that will plant more churches among the Bihari.

Text Source:   Joshua Project