The history of an Islander

Today 31 May, as the United States recognises and honours the millions of military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties on this annual Memorial Day, I couldn't help but think of a different kind of service that has formed a part of the history of my country, Trinidad and Tobago.

In case you didn't know, my country is multi-cultural and multi-racial and is a melting pot of ethnicities brought about by the arrival to our shores by peoples from Africa, India, Syria, Spain and England to name a few. The country was already inhabited by indigenous people who, depending on which history book you read, would give you one version of the story that makes my people who we are.

HISTORY LESSON

It is a public holiday here too as we recognise the contribution made to our nation by the thousands of indentured labourers who travelled by boat from India in May 1845. Called 'Indian Arrival Day', the holiday pays homage to the first Indian labour force who not only brought their exemplary work ethic to assist in the economic development of the country, but also their language, food and culture.

According to the National Library, Indian immigration to Trinidad spanned the period 1845-1917, in which over 140,000 Indian men and women were

brought to the island to work on the sugar cane estates across the country. At the time, sugar was one of the major exports and money-makers for the island. With the promise of a better life, sailing on the ship the Fatel Razack, these men and women made the journey of almost 14,500 km (or 8,900 miles) to the foreign lands in the Caribbean.

It is interesting to note that the arrival of the Indian indentured labourers followed the Emancipation of African slaves in 1838 - this event is also annually recognised by a public holiday on 1 August. These slaves were heavily affected by the Atlantic slave trade with the majority of slaves brought to Trinidad's sister island Tobago. But that's a whole other history lesson which I will likely provide in a few months time!

FOOD

For the foodies and chefs among our WA community, our country has been blessed to have integrated in the national culture, the food of the Indians who made Trinidad their home. Here are a few delicious dishes that have become indigenous to Trinidad and Tobago (recipes included):

Dhalpuri (dhalpouri) Roti - Flat bread stuffed with seasoned yellow split peas ground up into a smooth paste. It pairs perfectly with curried meats (chicken, beef, duck, shrimp or goat - yes we eat goat!) and vegetables and can be wrapped (like a burrito) or broken into pieces and eaten with the hands.

Dhal (daal) - Derived from the Sanskrit word that means “to split”, daal is a collective term for various beans that can be cooked and made into a soft, porridge-like dish. Usually eaten with white rice and curried meats and vegetables.

Gulab Jamoon - an Indian sweet consisting of a ball of deep-fried paneer boiled in a sugar syrup

Aloo - is literally potato and we like it fried and seasoned with garlic and Indian spices like gheera and massala. This is usually eaten with Sada - another type of flat bread.

CULTURE

History buffs in the WA community might be interested to know that as a cosmopolitan people, we have embraced the Indian culture and recognise its many forms, including:

Divali (Diwali) - the Hindu festival of Lights usually celebrated in October or November and associated with Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity.

Phagwa (Holi) - recognises the beginning of the Indian spring and the Hindu new year. The one-day festival is an explosion of colour (abeer), dance and song.

As you may have noticed from some of my blogs, I enjoy doing research and sharing non business-related information with the WA community. I like to mix it up sometimes and I think any kind of new learning is valuable in some way. Is there any wonder I can't dish out a blog in an hour!!

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post and might be brave enough to try a recipe or two. I'm a huge fan of my country and our diversity (there's a lot more than most) and I trust that you have a new found appreciation of who we are as a people.

Please feel free to comment below.

Cheers!

Maria