Major Indian-inspired Festivals of Trinidad and Tobago

Indian Arrival Day commemorative magazine 2013

Indo-Caribbean Cultural Centre Co Ltd (ICC) is proud to announce the publication of its latest magazine commemorating Indian Heritage Month (May 2013) in Trinidad and Tobago (Caribbean). The theme of the magazine which marks the arrival of East Indians/South Asians from India to Trinidad (1845-1917) is “Indian-inspired Festivals of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Few countries in the world offer as many multi-cultural festivals all year round as Trinidad and Tobago. The range of festivals is reflective of the diversity of the people in the multi-ethnic society who can trace their roots to Africa, India, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Although East Indians form half of the population of the twin-island republic of 1.3 million people, not many visitors witness the variety and abundance of their colourful festivals. Indian-inspired festivals are of Hindu, Muslim and Christian origin, and include Divali, Eid-ul-Fitr and Soopari Mai. The first two festivals are observed as national holidays in addition to Indian Arrival Day. Other Indian-based festivals include Ram Leela, Phagwa, Shiv Raatri, Ganga Dhaaraa, Kartik, Janam-ashtimi, Ganesh Utsav, Ratha Yatra, and Hosay. All of these festivals have been adapted to suit the modern times and local environment. These Indian-inspired festivals form an integral part of the multi-ethnic society and add colour, enthusiasm, harmony and character to Trinidad and Tobago.

Read Online

May 2013
11 x 8 ½ inches
72 pages with advertisements and articles
ISSN 1683-4143
Glossy pages and cover

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • About Indian Arrival Day in Trinidad and Tobago
  • Indian-inspired Festivals of Trinidad and Tobago – Editorial
  • Greetings from the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago – The Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar
  • Greetings from the Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism – Dr. The Honourable Lincoln Douglas
  • Greetings from the Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration – The Honourable Clifton De Coteau
  • Shiv-Raatri: All-day fast and all-night vigil
  • Shiv-Raatri: It coincides with the secular Roman Catholic festival of Carnival
  • Soopari Mai: Hindus participate in the Roman Catholic Feast
  • Soopari Mai: Hindus camp outside the church
  • Soopari Mai: A poojari [Hindu head-priest] officiates in the church grounds
  • Phagwa: Spraying of abeer [coloured liquid] central to the festival
  • Phagwa: A good natured splash of abeer
  • Phagwa: Ancient games are re-enacted
  • Indian Arrival Day: A new meaning to being West Indian
  • Indian Arrival Day: A day of remembrance and reflection
  • Ganga Dhaaraa: A revival an old festival
  • Ganga Dhaaraa: Creating greater awareness of the environment
  • Ganga Dhaaraa: Celebrated at the Marianne River
  • Ratha Yatra: An ancient chariot festival
  • Ratha Yatra: Large colourful chariots on parade
  • Krishna’s birthday or Janmashtimi: Like Jesus, Lord Krishna had a miraculous birth
  • Krishna’s birthday or Janmashtimi: Rocking the cradle beyond midnight
  • Ganesh Utsav: Honouring Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of wisdom
  • Ganesh Utsav: The procession climaxes with the immersion of the deity
  • Eid-ul-Fitr: The most popular festival in the Islamic calendar
  • Eid-ul-Fitr: Gifts and greetings are exchanged
  • Hosay: The re-enactment of historical scenes
  • Hosay: Re-enactment of the battle at Karbala
  • Hosay: The drama begins with the new moon
  • Hosay: Spectators converge in their multitudes
  • Ramleela: The open-air theatre holds an unrivalled running record
  • Ramleela: Walcott claimed it is one of the greatest epics of the world
  • Divali: The defining event that marks Trinidad as multi-ethnic
  • Divali: Simple houses are transformed into magical kingdoms
  • Divali: Tons of sweetmeats are distributed free
  • Kartik: A cleansing festival at beaches and rivers
  • Kartik: The last Hindu festival in the calendar