Blurred Traditions: The Ongoing Change of Rites and Rituals, including Digitization, in Indo-Fijian Hindu Funerals

<p><strong>Abstract Indo-Fijian Hindus have experienced two significant waves of mass migration: the first as indentured labourers taken from India to Fiji, and the second from Fiji to western countries in response to political coups that made Fiji unsafe for Indians. Each wave of migration has brought with it significant adaptation to rituals; Indo-Fijian Hindus have established their rituals to comply within the laws and regulations of the countries they live in. This research project considers the landscape of Indo-Fijian Hindu funerals, exploring three facets. Inevitable change is considered from a ritualistic perspective, and it is compared with a digital point of view through the lens of funeral livestreaming on Facebook. Finally, changes adapted by pandits (Hindu priests) are considered and discussed. The data collated in this research project comes from interviews with individuals and responses to anonymous online surveys. This is a pilot study in the field, and is the first to explore Indo-Fijian Hindu funerals in academia.</strong></p><p>This research project considers the importance of documenting Indo-Fijian Hindu funeral rites and rituals, and how they have changed with waves of mass migration from India to Fiji, and later Fiji to the western world. Keywords: Girmit; Hindu funeral rites; funeral livestreaming; pandits</p>