Sons of Indentured
by
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The Jahagis When India was under the British rule, a very poor village called Uttum Pradesh, lived people who were very poor. They were told by the British if they leave their country and go to the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, to work the plantations of sugar cane, cocoa, and coffee, that they would be well treated. Some were very excited to go and some decided to stay at home. The Journey In the year 1845, the first sailboat called the “Fatel Raback” sailed with two hundred people. They were called the Jahagis, meaning poor and free. The journey was very long and some got sick and died due to unsanitary conditions. The journey took a few months and when they landed, they were put in barracks and nurse back to good health. They were put to work in various fields; the men in the sugar cane field and the women in cocoa and coffee fields. They were paid for their labour and were called indentured labourers. The Production They produced sugar, coffee, and cocoa that was grounded and boiled then to ship back to England to be refined into tea, coffee and sugar. Many products were made and ship to other countries. The indentured labourers were treated with food and lodging. The Cultures The indentured labourers brought their cultures with them. Some were Hindus and some Muslims and some Christians. They practice their festivals throughout the year and sang folk songs and religious songs called Bhagans, and also dance to the coming of spring. The Muslims observed the fasting period of “Eid” for forty days; like Christians for Easter. The British shared in their festivals and ate and dance with them to the sounds of drums. The Canadian missionaries came to the islands in the year of 1865 and taught the east Indians to read and write in English. Doctors and Nurses came to care for them with medicine and clothing. They were taught to read and understand the bible. Some Hindi songs were translated to English and were called Christian Bhagans. Education: The Canadian missionaries built schools and churches like the British and educated the people to work in harmony and praise their God in different ways. The Population Increase and the production increase, and sugar, coffee, and cocoa, were consider the best in the world. The East Indians represent half the population of Trinidad and many schools and churches were built. The Canadian Christians were called Presbyterians and were trained to teach and preach the gospel of Christ. The Discovery When Christopher Columbus discovered the islands in the Caribbean in the year 1492, on his fourth voyage, he name the island “La Trinity” in the name of Spain, after that the Dutch fought the Spanish and took some of the islands. The British came and fought the Dutch and took over most of the island.
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About the Book
The Indentured Labourers They celebrate the coming of spring by assembling in parks to spray coloured water and powder on people.\ They enjoy the celebration (“Pagwa”). Ramleela was celebrated in parks to tell the story of the saints and the evil God. Diwali is the festival of lights. The Hindu people fasted for weeks and clean their homes so that the goddess Laxmi will bring light into their houses. There is a lot of food cooking and sharing to others. Christmas time the Spanish people celebrated their culture by going to homes and parks to sing and dance to the Parang music. They cook a lot of food and drink their rum to entertain the family and friends. There was also the Labour Day celebration by all races in the country.
About the Author
Selwyn Cecil Lutchman, the author, was born in Trinidad in 1942. He was baptized by a Canadian missionary, Rev. J. C. Mc Donald. His parents, Amos and Miriam Lutchman, raised nine children. He was third to the last and straddled along to be educated and keep the faith of his parents. They were Presbyterians and taught all the children to do good to others and go to church. My dad at twelve years old drove the buggy cart to take the missionaries to village to preach. He became a tailor and then worked in the oil fields. Mom was a housewife and did a lot of sewing after toiling in the cocoa estate with her mom and sister. Selwyn did odd jobs and became a postman for thirty-three years. He married Tara, and they had two sons, Selyon and Sheldon. They migrated to New Jersey, where Tara worked as a nanny and Selwyn went into security working for an armored company. Selwyn continued his faith after serving as an elder at his church in Tacarigua, Trinidad. He serves as a deacon in New Jersey for three years and joined the choir on a tour to Scotland. In 2002, Selwyn and Tara moved to Florida and continued their faith at Hope Presbyterian Church. They became citizens of America in 2004. Thanks to my brothers and pastors of the church.