The Indians of Trinidad

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that in Trinidad, a country far from India, the largest ethnic population group is of Indian descent. The paper describes the history of the influx of Indians to Trinidad. The paper discusses how the Indians brought with them strong traditions of song, dance, music, food and religious practices that they continue to adhere to today.

From the Paper:

"The tiny two-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago is nearly as far physically removed from India as any nation can be. Yet surprisingly, the largest ethnic population group in Trinidad is of [East] Indian descent. ("Trinidad and Tobago 2006") Having traveled literally half way around the world, and rising from indentured servitude to freedom, the Indians of Trinidad overcame crushing obstacles to transplant their culture largely intact on this Caribbean island. (Manas) They are, as writer V. S. Niapaul describes, East Indians from the West Indies. (Review) They have brought with them much of their culture, music, cuisine, and religion and customs. Their ability to do this has allowed them to become one of the dominating forces in Trinidad, carving out and sustaining a space which they held as their own. This space is reflected in the names given to many of the streets in the towns of Trinidad and to many of the major civic monuments. (Manas)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Barbilsingh, Frank. "Review of The Promise by Sharlow Mohammed," Undated, accessed Jan. 14, 2007. Available at <http://sharlow.virtualave.net/THE%20PROMISE.htm>. Internet.
• Eriksen, Thomas. "Imagined Indians: A review of Peter van der Veer, ed., Nation and Migration. The Politics of Space in the South Asian Diaspora. Anthropos. Spring 1997, accessed Jan. 13, 2007. Available at <http://folk.uio.no/geirthe/Vanderveer.html>. Internet.
• "History: Trinidad." TriniGenWeb. CaribGenWeb Pages for Trinidad & Tobago. Undated, accessed Jan. 13, 2007. Available at <http://www.rootsweb.com/~ttowgw/history/index.htm>. Internet.
• "Indian Arrival Day." NALIS: National Library and Information System Authority. 2004, accessed Jan. 14, 2007. Available at <http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Culture/arrivalday.htm>. Internet.
• "Indian Culture and Its Transformations in Trinidad." Manas: The Indian Diaspora. Undated, accessed Jan. 14, 2007. Available at <http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Diaspora/athome.html>. Internet.

More papers on The Indians of Trinidad:

• Research Paper # 41127 : "Women and the Emergence of an Indo-Caribbean Community in British Colonies"
• Essay # 29767 : "Hernando de Soto and the Indians of Florida"
• Essay # 72356 : "'The Joys of Motherhood'"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: