Indian Arrival Day, celebrated on 30th May, commemorates
the arrival of the first Indian Indentured labourers from India to Trinidad, in
May 1845, on the ship Fatel Razack. The Fatel Razack brought
not only a new labour force to assist in the economic development of Trinidad,
but also a new people with a new culture.
The 225 adult
passengers on board were immigrants from India who had come to the British
colony to work in the sugarcane plantations after the abolition of African
slavery. They had spent 103 days on sea during the arduous and dangerous
journey that spanned 14,000 miles (36,000 km). The immigrants were contracted
for five to ten years to work in the sugarcane estates in a system that ended
in 1917.
A total of 147,596 Indians came to Trinidad over a 70-year
period. Although they were promised a free return passage back home, at least
75 percent of them stayed and settled in the New World colony. Descendants of
these Indian immigrants, who today now comprise about half of the multi-ethnic
society of the island (1.3 million), commemorate the arrival of their ancestors
to these shores annually. According to ICC Trinidad, 2017, the entire month of
May has now been deemed as Indian Heritage Month, but May 30th holds a special
historical significance.
In many ways,
they brought India to the Caribbean. They continued with their traditions of
Hinduism and Islam, and eventually transformed Trinidad into a colourful
cosmopolitan society with their introduction of new styles of dress, music,
songs, dance, language, cuisine and customs (which will later be individually explored
on this blog).
On 30th May each year, Indian Arrival Day commemorates
this momentous event by staging a re-enactment of the arrival of the Fatel Razack at
various beaches throughout Trinidad and Tobago. Indaian Arrival Day
Celebrations also occurs in communities using a collaboration of music and
dance, where outstanding members of the community are honoured for their
contributions to society.
What do you celebrate this day? You are welcome to share your experience with us 😉
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