Descendants of indentured labourers have been adopted as people of the District of Noco in the Rewa province.

This was confirmed by High Chief Ro TeimumuKepa during Rewa Day celebrations at Syria Park in Nausori.

The Rewa High Chief told the people of her confederacy that because the indentured labourers were rescued by the people of Noco – they have become one with their rescuers.

“You are home at last with the Rewans .You are home at last with your fellow Rewans .When we together we will be a greater force to be reckoned with and together we will build a future not only for Rewa but also for Fiji and we ask the Lord to bless us all.”

The labourers were saved by villagers from Noco after the ship Leonidas hit a reef and began to sink.

Ro Teimumu also saw fit to acknowledge, and give credit to the descendants of the Girmitiyas for choosing to stay in Fiji and make a life for themselves.

The celebration yesterday was an emotional moment for the descendantsmen and women who couldn’t be saved and were laid to rest in Noco.