Nepalese community in Fiji

The Nepalese community in Fiji are descendants of indentured labourers (known as Girmityas) brought in by the British colonial rulers of Fiji. These Nepali Girmityas came together with the Indian labourers from India under the indentured labour system.^[2] The Nepalis settled first in Suva, the capital of Fiji, and then moved around the island to Navua, another large town, and eventually to Kavanagasau, now home of the largest Nepalese community in the islands.

Situated in the "Sand dunes of Singatoka", Kavanagasau is the one place in Viti Levu with mist-shrouded hills and valleys, a landscape which appealed to the Nepalis for its similarity to the Himalayan foothills.^[3] Ironically, like much of the Nepalis´ home country, Kavanagasau is not favoured with large tracts of productive land. Here they lease farmland from the Native Fijians and grow sugarcane and vegetables for the market. Most children end their studies after getting a basic high school education and the majority follow in their parent's footsteps as peasant farmers.^{[citation needed]}