Girmitiya Culture and Memory : Navigating Identity, Tradition, and Resilience Across Continents

This book explores the multifaceted dimensions of the Girmitya diaspora and post-memory.  The intersections of dis/re-location and memory have always been a focus of scholarly interest and the volume envisages the roots of migration and culture, life stories, narratives, and personal anecdotes. It further accentuates Girmitiya struggles, politics of displacement, relationships with the homeland and host land, oral traditions, repercussions, and retention of the archival sites. The cross-examination of memories helps in building a framework to study the varied experiences of the Girmitiya community. In this volume, through a blend of historical and scholarly discourse, we embark on a journey to unearth the layers of meaning embedded within the Girmitya experience. The tales of Girmitya migration amplifies marginalized voices and illuminates the enduring resilience. By chronicling the experiences of the indentured migration, we pay homage to the pioneers, recognize the intricacy of their toils, and commemorate the continuing legacy.

Dr. Priyanka Chaudhary is a Professor of English in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies at Manipal University Jaipur, India. Her research interest lies in Gender Studies, South Asian Writings and Cultural Studies. She has supervised seven PhD scholars. She has published many articles and reviews in Scopus, Web of Science and UGC journals. She has co-authored / edited books five books. She has attended many FDPs, and workshops and convened two International Conferences.

Dr. Neha Singh is an Assistant Professor at Institute of Management, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India. She is a member of the International Scientific Committee-Indian Ocean Committee, Indentured Labour Route Project. She has published articles in reputed journals and in UNESCO’s World Heritage Site Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund’s newsletter. She has co-edited a book Literature of Girmitiya: History, Culture and Identity, Palgrave Macmillan (2023). She is a recipient of ICSSR data collection abroad award and has been awarded an ICSSR funded research project in 2023. Her major interest lies in migration and diaspora studies, slaves’ narratives, and cultural production.