f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
f Paria - Ins and Outs of Trinidad & Tobago 2013
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Indian Festivals<br />
CaféMoka<br />
Shree Ram, born the eldest son <strong>of</strong> a king in Ayodia, was destined<br />
to destroy the powerful demon Ravana (pronounced Rawana) who<br />
lives in Lanka. But fulfilling his purpose is not a simple task; Shree<br />
Ram endures palace intrigue, betrayal <strong>and</strong> finds love along the<br />
way to his destiny.<br />
Each <strong>of</strong> T&T’s approximately thirty-six Ramleela groups act out<br />
this drama with individual style between September <strong>and</strong> October<br />
each year. Most groups are located in central <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> many still<br />
act out the story on open ground (without a stage). The productions<br />
can use up to 100 players <strong>and</strong> take between nine to eleven nights<br />
to complete. The spectacle is sacred. But the mystical tale will draw<br />
you into the richness <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> T&T’s most widely practised religions.<br />
Divali<br />
This Hindu “festival <strong>of</strong> lights” is held on the darkest night <strong>of</strong> the<br />
month <strong>of</strong> Kartik, which runs from mid-October to mid-November.<br />
Pronounced as “Diwali,” it is characterised by the spectacular<br />
display <strong>of</strong> hundreds <strong>of</strong> lit deyas (small clay lamps) outside houses,<br />
on walls <strong>and</strong> perched upon homemade bamboo st<strong>and</strong>s. Deyas are<br />
said to have lit Shree Ram’s path back to Ayodia after his exile.<br />
Children are allowed to light firecrackers or “buss bamboo” (using<br />
the bamboo as an explosive) to represent the defeat <strong>of</strong> Ravana.<br />
Divali is celebrated all over the world, with devotees wishing<br />
each other Shubh Divali or Happy Divali. In the Caribbean <strong>and</strong><br />
especially in T&T, the festival is celebrated in accordance with the<br />
custom in the Indian provinces <strong>of</strong> Bihar, West Bengal <strong>and</strong> Uttar<br />
Pradesh, since many indentured servants came from these areas.<br />
Because Divali traditionally marks the end <strong>of</strong> the harvest season<br />
in many countries, Hindus honour goddess Lakshmi with a puja<br />
(prayer ritual) at 6 p.m., just when the first deya is lit, to thank her<br />
for bringing wealth <strong>and</strong> prosperity. They may abstain from meat,<br />
alcohol or intimate relations for up to a month before Divali, <strong>and</strong><br />
ensure that their houses are kept clean so that Mother Lakshmi<br />
will enter on Divali night <strong>and</strong> bless the household. On the day itself,<br />
Hindus prepare feasts with special food <strong>and</strong> sweets to share with their<br />
neighbours, wear new clothes <strong>and</strong> look forward to the year ahead.<br />
Phagwa<br />
It’s hard to believe that this picturesque spring festival, celebrated<br />
by children <strong>and</strong> adults alike, has such gruesome symbolism. But it’s<br />
true; Phagwa (Holi) is the celebration <strong>of</strong> the death <strong>of</strong> Hiranyakashipu,<br />
a king who was blessed by the creator Brahma but used his power for<br />
evil instead <strong>of</strong> good. He was killed by an avatar <strong>of</strong> Lord Vishnu because<br />
<strong>of</strong> his evil deeds <strong>and</strong> intentions toward his son Prahalad, a true<br />
devotee. Hindus celebrate Phagwa by playfully squirting a coloured<br />
fluid called abeer on each other in pastoral settings, representing<br />
the spurting blood <strong>of</strong> King Hiranyakashipu. Abeer was originally<br />
red, but can now be found in colours like pink, purple <strong>and</strong> blue.<br />
Ramadan <strong>and</strong> Eid-ul-Fitr<br />
Ramadan is the Islamic month <strong>of</strong> fasting, which may fall anywhere<br />
between August <strong>and</strong> November since the Islamic calendar is lunar<br />
<strong>and</strong> not fixed like the solar calendar. Muslims are comm<strong>and</strong>ed to<br />
fast from eating <strong>and</strong> drinking during this month from dawn until<br />
dusk; the purpose <strong>of</strong> this fast is to remember those who are less<br />
fortunate. They may also give alms to the poor at this time. Fasting<br />
increases a Muslim’s taqwah (relationship with Allah) <strong>and</strong> so when<br />
they make dua (pray), their prayers are more likely to be heard <strong>and</strong><br />
answered.<br />
At the end <strong>of</strong> Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr is a feasting festival, but it<br />
is important to note that over-eating is not considered true Islam.<br />
Families wear new clothes, eat breakfast <strong>and</strong> then visit their<br />
mosque for prayers. Afterward, they may go to visit friends <strong>and</strong><br />
family to share a meal with special sweets <strong>and</strong> pastries. During this<br />
time, Muslims <strong>and</strong> non-Muslims commonly greet each other with<br />
Eid Mubarak or Happy Eid.<br />
36<br />
The <strong>Ins</strong> & <strong>Outs</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong>