The Indian Diaspora

The Indian Diaspora in the
Caribbean Islands
• The Indian Indenture System began in 1838 and ended in 1917.
• It came in existence due to abolition of slavery system.
• In 1838 first Indian laborers were sent from port of Calcutta to British Guiana.
• By the time this system ended almost 4,00,000 Indians came to Caribbean.
• Various push factors that encouraged Indians to immigrate their homeland.
• The initial hurdles. Harsh conditions, long voyage, hostile host population, loss of
tradition and the fury of dominant Afro-European culture.
• The Indians got united( caste endogamy was destroyed) and became a well known
minority community, a visible cultural group beautifully blended in that of the host
population.
• Over 2.5 million people in in the Caribbean are of Indian origin.
• This community has shown a upward trend in socio-economic spheres.
• Political advance – Indians in Trinidad and Guyana
• In 1995, Dr Cheddi Jagan was elected President of the Republic; upon his death his
wife Janet Jagan became his successor.
• Bharat Jagdeo of People’s Progressive Party has served as the president of Guyana.
• Basdeo Panday became the first Indian to be elected as the Prime Minister. During
the 1995 to 2001 term. Kamla Persad Bissessar served as the first Indian woman as
the Attorney General.
• Perhaps, the only person of Indian origin in the Caribbean who has acclaimed
international recognition is the novelist V. S. Naipaul.
• He has won a Nobel prize for literature.
• Tangible and non-tangible aspects.
• Divali is a natioanl public holiday. Eid too,is a public holiday.
• Majestic mandirs adorn the landscape of Trinidad and Guyana.
• Hosay is one of the largest cultural events in Jamaica.
• The Indian Arrival Day is public holiday in Trinidad.(30 May 1845)
• The cuisine- curry is very popular roti has become a staple food.
• Chutney is a musical form of cross-cultural genre.
• Educational- in 1952, Bhadase Sagan maharaj founded the Sanatan Dharma Maha
Sabha(SDMS)
• Islamic bodies (Anjuman Sunaat ul Association and the Trinidad Muslim League)
have been successfully refining education and Religion for over two decades.
• There are several radio stations that broadcast Hindi films and Indian music.
• In central Trinidad, a 85 foot murti of Lord Hanuman has been consecrated. This
statue symbolizes the strength of Hindu faith in Trinidad and west.
• In July 2003, a full panel of Hindu women narrated the epic verse and song of
Ramayan. This gesture of women empowerment shows the strength of Indian
women.
• Indians in St. Vincent
• St. Vincent got introduced to immigrants of indentured labour in 1860.
• 2475 Indians were brought to St.Vincent , mostly Hindus from Bihar and Oudh
(modern day region of Uttar Pradesh).
• They have lost their culture, religion, kinship patterns , caste ,etc; but they still tend
to form a separate identifiable group. Racial hostility has declined over time.
• Reasons for decline of Indian population and culture in St. Vincent are
• Upon completion of contact most of them returned to India and many travelled to
other islands( Trinidad Guyana Grenada).
• Hurricane in 1888 .
• Eruption of Soufriere volcano in 1902.
• Indians in Cuba.
• Majority of Indian migrants came from Jamaica and minority from India.
• Both men and women worked on sugarcane plantations , but women were paid
lower wages compared to men.
• Indian girls were not allowed to have relationships with and marry Cubans who
were not of Indian origin. However, same did not apply to Indian males.
• Large scale Indian acculturation to wider Cuban norms.
• Conclusion
• After 160 years in the Caribbean , Indian culture in Trinidad and Guyana has
undergone change, adaptation, survival and triumph. The Indian culture, religions,
music, food, architectures, politics, and much more have been so much ingrained
in the Caribbean that it feels like home. Caribbean Indians are tying their best to
revive the traditions brought by their forefathers from their ancestral land.

The Indian Diaspora

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