An Islamic
festival
observed by
Shi’a Muslims
throughout the
world – and the
celebration was
brought to
Trinidad as
early as 1845
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Diviali
This is the
largest Hindu
festival in our
islands, taking
place in the
month of Karthik
–
October-November
on the Hindu
calendar. This
national holiday
is celebrated on
what is said to
be the darkest
night of the
year.
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Phagwa or Holi
The
observance of
Phagwa or Holi
as we also cal
it, was
introduced to
Trinidad by the
indentured East
Indian labourers
around 1845.
This is a spring
festival
corresponding to
the springtime
months of March
and April. It is
primarily a
Hindu festival,
but as with all
observances in
our
multi-ethnic,
multi-religious
country, the
wider community
always gets
involved – even
if it is to just
watch and
admire.
The root of Holi
is derived from
the Sanskrit
word Holika,
meaning,
“parched
grains”. This
festival has
deep religious
significance as
a rite of
purification to
promote good
health.
There are many
Hindu texts you
can read that
explain
significance of
Phagwa. One
story tells of
Prahalad, son of
the evil King
Hiranyakashipu.
The King wanted
desperately to
destroy the
young boy and
enlisted the aid
of his equally
evil sister
Holika. Holika
had powers that
rendered her
immune to
destruction by
fire. The King
ordered her to
take the boy
into a large
fire to end his
life but the
child’s faith
was so great
that not only
was he unharmed,
but Holika’s
powers were
reduced and she
burned in the
fire. Today’s
observance of
Phagwa
incorporates
aspects of this
story and an
effigy of Holika
is burnt as a
symbol of
purification.
Other aspects of
the festival
include lots of
joyful singing
and dancing. A
Carnival-like
atmosphere
pervades as
willing
participants are
sprayed with a
variety of
coloured dyes.
You can hear the
strains of
special folk
songs called
Chowtal being
sung,
accompanied by
two instruments
– the Dholak, a
small hand drum
and Majeera,
percussive
instruments. The
music is fast
paced and
extremely
infectious,
making you want
to take part in
the joy-filled
revelry. Phagwa
celebrations are
easy to find
throughout
Trinidad and the
happy
participants
will be sure to
invite you to
join them!
Indian Arrival
Day
Indian Arrival Day is a holiday celebrated on May 30 in Trinidad and Tobago. It commemorates the arrival of the first Indentured labourers from India to Trinidad, in May 1845, on the ship Fatel Razack (alternatively, Fath-al-Razzaq). It was first celebrated (under the name Indian Emigration Day) in 1945 in conjunction with the hundredth anniversary of Indian arrival. During the 1970s it was celebrated annually on a small scale by various religious and cultural organisations with the first national observance taking place in 1979. In conjunction with the 150th anniversary of Indian arrival, then Prime Minister Patrick Manning declared it a national holiday in 1994. Originally given the name Arrival Day, it was re-named Indian Arrival Day in 1995. This entailed some controversy, with opponents of the name-change claiming that holidays should not be restricted to a single ethnic group. However, supporters of the change pointed out that the day was meant to celebrate Indian arrival, and had existed long before government intervened to proclaim it a national holiday. This holiday continues to create some controversy.
Since its establishment in Trinidad, Indian Arrival Day has given rise to similar celebrations in Guyana, Jamaica, Britain, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The importation of Indians as indentured labourers spanned the period 1845-1917. During this period over 140,000 people were transported to Trinidad, generally in cramped conditions in small ships. They were originally contracted to serve a 5-7 year indenture, after which they were promised passage back to India. Those who remained in Trinidad are the ancestors of the Indo-Trinidadian community (40.3% of the population; 1990 census) and a substantial (but unquantified) portion of the mixed-race population (18.4% of the population).
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Eid-Ul-Fitr
Eid-Ul-Fitr, or
Eid, for short,
is another of
our East
Indian-based
religious – this
one, however, is
Muslim in
origin. It is
the holiday that
follows the holy
fasting month of
Ramadan,
celebrated by
devout Muslims
the world over.
The Islamic year
is based upon a
13-month lunar
calendar.
Ramadan starts
on the first day
of the tenth
month, Shawwal,
heralded by the
sighting of the
New Moon.
Local
observations of
this holy
occasion are
much the same as
in other parts
of the world –
prayers are said
five times a
day, and it is a
strict period of
fasting –
dedicated
Muslims do not
allow themselves
food or water
during this
sacred time,
which lasts for
about 28 to 30
days or until
the new Moon is
once again seen.
Eid is marked by
visits to local
mosques,
offerings of
charity to the
less fortunate
and of course
the gathering of
friends and
family.
The day itself
revolves around
the renewal of
family ties –
“family” being
rather extensive
– encompassing
Aunts, Uncles,
distant cousins
and often
neighbours and
friends. This is
very unique to
our islands –
everyone we like
is automatically
“family”!
Preparing and
eating delicious
dishes, like all
other
Trinbagonian
observances, is
an integral part
of the
proceedings,
with everyone
laughing and
talking as they
mill around the
kitchen. And if
you manage to
get through the
delectable meal
without feeling
completely full,
dessert tops
everything off
with the
traditional
sweets, Halwa
and Sawine,
being served
Corpus Christi
The Feast of the Body of Christ
Corpus Christi is a long-standing tradition in our islands, going back to our pre-British occupation by the Catholic Spaniards. Though mainly observed by Roman Catholics, it is a designated public holiday. This special Feast Day is celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, in commemoration of the institution of the Holy Eucharist. The impressive processions that take place (the biggest is in front of the Cathedral on Independence Square in Port of Spain) give you just a glimpse into the sacredness and significance of the occasion.
Followers of the Roman Catholic faith will attend church on Corpus Christi before going to their choice of processions taking place throughout the country. Many people regard this day as an auspicious time to tend to their garden as it is said that anything planted on this day will thrive.
