Nelson Island tour and lecture reveal rich East Indian heritage

The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago, under the auspices of the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism, hosted a tour of and lecture at Nelson Island on Saturday, May 29, 2010 to commemorate the 165th Anniversary of Indian Arrival Day in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Lecture entitled: “Jahajin’s Journey” took place at the Assembly Area on Nelson Island and was delivered by Dr Radica Mahase (in photo at right), a graduate of UWI and a teacher at Naparima Girls High School. The lecture highlighted, among other things, the experience of Indian women during the Indentureship period (1845 – 1920); which accounts for much of the rich legacy of East Indian culture in Trinidad and Tobago today.

In her discourse, Dr Mahase gave an overview of Nelson Island and its role in the Indian Indentureship System. She indicated that the labour scheme of the island’s history comprised female East Indian labourers and cited three females Sughagi, Maharaji and Partabia’s journeys to Trinidad to work at the Calcutta Depot in the Indentureship (contract) system. On May 30, 1845 the first groups of labourers arrived on the Fath al Razack and were taken to work in cocoa and coffee plantations.

Their contract conditions consisted of an obligation to work for the first five years after which a certificate of completion was given to them. In order to qualify for return to India, a further five years of labour was required. They earned 25 cents per day and were housed in barracks. They had to ration for food which was deducted from their salaries. The labour force comprised Hindu women in the majority (77%) while the Muslim and Christian women totalled 15% and 8% respectively. Forty one percent were from low castes. Bhrahmins, agricultural and artesan castes came.According to Dr Mahase’s research, because India was a patriarchal society, problems arose in the recruitment of women. For every 100 men, only 40 women were recruited and while they performed the same jobs as men, women were paid less.

As women were generally difficult to recruit, the then colonial rulers resorted to illegal recruiting. They reportedly tricked many into making the journey to the Caribbean.

The law was also biased in men's favour and infidelity by women often resulted in wife murders, Dr Mahase told approximately 200 persons who went on the tour.

Visitors to the island also learned that in 1869 a decision was taken to grant women land ownership rights in lieu of their return to India. As women were not allowed to be schooled, this new development empowered Indian women and strengthened their economic situation.

Today, fortified by their struggles over the decades, Trinidad and Tobago's women of East Indian descent have become highly influential in society. They are the custodians of a strong cultural legacy, which includes the oral traditions and prayer.

In concluding, Dr. Mahase dedicated her presentation to all the East Indian women of Trinidad and Tobago who have become influential and respected professionals.

Following the lecture, Dr Mahase answered questions from the audience on some pf the myths about the early indentured East Indian women, health and living conditions and integration with the other ethnic groups present in Trinidad at the time.

The lecture was followed by a tour of the island and lunch was served after.


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CREDITS:

- Story by Natalie Walters

- Photo by Kenneth Balfour