Booth, Alison and Bapat, Jayant B. and Hughes, Philip and Bilimoria, Purushottama and Prasad, Rajendra (2023) Hindu Diaspora in Oceania (Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific). In: Hindu Diasporas. The Oxford History of Hinduism . Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp. 146-177. ISBN 978-0-019-886769-2
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Oceania comprises Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga, and habited by distinct ethnic peoples, to which ‘Hindoos’ were brought by colonial powers. With the arrival of indentured labourers (girmityas) in Fiji 150 years ago, Fiji-Hindus have worked tirelessly towards preserving their way of life. Over the generations, Hindu sects have created their unique identity through their culture and adapted practices. Recently, New Zealand’s resident Indian populations have also increased significantly. Generations of Hindus from Gujarat, joined by Indo-Fijians, South Indians, and Hindus from elsewhere, have established temples and associations representing a diversity in languages and religious cultures. South Asians began arriving as seamen onboard ships from India to the colonies of terra australis, circa 1790s. Even during ‘White Australia’ years, significant numbers of Hindoos were recruited as farmworkers, labourers, and mineral-diggers, some becoming hawkers and merchants. With surges in professional and student migration, in more recent decades, Hindus with their temples, community centres, comparatively high profile and education, are contributing to the region’s multiculturalism, while passing on their heritage to the next generations.
| Item Type: | Book Chapter |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BL Religion |
| Divisions: | School of Pacific Arts, Communication and Education (SPACE) |
| Depositing User: | Mr Rajendra Prasad |
| Date Deposited: | 12 Dec 2023 03:02 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Dec 2023 03:02 |
| URI: | https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/14337 |
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