Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonian

Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonians

Rudranath Capildeo • Nicki Minaj
Total population
1.2 million Including the Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonian diaspora
Regions with significant populations
Trinidad and Tobago · United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Venezuela
Languages
English (Trinidadian) · Spanish · Hindi · Punjabi · Urdu · Tamil · Telugu · French
Religion
Hinduism • Islam • Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Dravidian peoples Indo-Aryan peoples

Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonian are nationals of Trinidad and Tobago of Indian or other South Asian ancestry.

Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonians has now become interchangeable with Indians or East Indians. These were people who were taken from India by the British either as (indentured laborers) workers or educated servicemen in the 1830s. Most of the Hindus and Muslims of Trinidad and Tobago are Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonians.

Culture and religion

Some Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonians can trace their ancestry to indentured labourers who immigrated to Guyana, Jamaica, St. Vincent, Grenada, or other islands in the Caribbean. Many are descendants of later immigrants from India, predominantly doctors and Gujarati businessmen.

A majority of Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonians are Hindu; a very large minority are Muslim. Three national holidays, Indian Arrival Day, Divali and Eid-ul-Fitr are primarily celebrated by Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonians. The Opposition United National Congress draws most of its support from the Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonian community, and the new party: The Congress of the People

A major Hindu organisation in Trinidad is the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha led by Satnarayan Maharaj. The major Muslim organisation is the Anjuman Sunnat-ul-Jamaat Association (ASJA) led by Yacoob Ali. Although these organisations were once seen to speak for the vast majority of Hindus and Muslims in Trinidad, their membership has gradually eroded but they still remain the largest organized voice for the respective Indian communities.

Trinidadian and Tobagonians that consider themselves Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonians have retained their distinctive culture, unlike the original South Asian people that arrived earlier as indentured servants, but also function in a multi-racial milieu. The Bhojpuri, Hindi, Urdu, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam languages of their ancestors have largely been lost, although a number of these words have entered the Trinidadian vernacular. Indian movies, Indian music and Indian cooking have entered the mainstream culture of Trinidad and Tobago. Chutney music rivals calypso and soca music during the Carnival season. Divali and Eid ul-Fitr are national holidays, and Hosay (Ashura) Phagwah is widely celebrated.

See also

• Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonian
• Chinese Trinidadian and Tobagonian
• Dougla
• Indo-Caribbean music
• Indian Arrival Day
• History of Trinidad and Tobago
• Indo-Guyanese
• Indo-Caribbean
• Pichakaree

References

• Indian Diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago