The Gujaratis in Wellington: the study of an ethnic group

Abstract

This thesis examines the Gujaratis' immigration to New Zealand and their settlement in Wellington from the turn of the Twentieth Century to the present day. The Gujaratis' socio-cultural background and experiences in New Zealand are investigated to see how they affected their settlement. The Gujaratis distinct physical, social and cultural traits have made them a very distinct ethnic group in New Zealand. As an ethnic group, the Gujaratis have continued many of their cultural traditions as well as adopting a few of the New Zealand ones. Most of the Gujaratis' primary social contacts remain within the boundaries of their community. The second generation of Gujaratis in New Zealand internalise the norms and values of their ethnic group. The family has major influence over their social conduct. Strong family sentiments and obligations induce many of the second generation to remain within the boundaries of their ethnic group, conforming to expected norms of the family and community. The second generation's interaction with the New Zealand European population often creates many conflicts between themselves and their parents because of differing norms and values in the two cultural systems. Many of the second generation feel they do not fully belong to their Indian community nor to the New Zealand European society, therefore they begin to feel like 'marginal men'. This marginal experience is usually temporary with endogamous marriages being the turning point because they confirm who the individuals are and which group they belong to. This also maintains their ethnic boundaries. Although endogamous unions express individuals' group membership, it does not necessarily mean that they only have an (ethnic) identity with their own ethnic group. In fact the Gujaratis cannot avoid their ethnicity and identity with their ethnic group because of their distinct physical and cultural differences from the New Zealand European population. But since an ethnic identity is a subjective choice, individuals can choose to have more than one ethnic identity. The Gujaratis' decision to permanently settle in New Zealand incorporating some of the New Zealand social and cultural practices into their daily lives, is an indication of their willingness to accept their adopted society as their own and identify with it. From this incorporation of two social and cultural traditions, 'dual ethnic identities' of New Zealand Indians emerge. This 'dual ethnic identity' enables the Gujaratis to participate in and identify with both their ethnic group and their adopted society giving them a sense of belongingness in two different social and cultural worlds.