Mangaia's story

I came with another man as his brother. We quietly fled from our homes. My brothers gave me a rough time so I wanted to leave India. I suggested to this man that I would accompany him. I did not like the work I had to do in Madras. Since I had a companion for my travels there was nothing to fear. By rail we came to the depot in Madras town.

Fijians did not fight with us in those days. They used to bring a bunch of bananas and exchange it for a couple of our rotis. They also gave us shelter in their villages when we ran away from our estate. They appeared as devils to us, because they were all naked except for a few pieces of banana leaves tied around their waist.