Divali - the celebration of Light in Trinidad

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Updated 4 years ago

Arising from a melting pot of cultures in Trinidad and Tobago we have a dizzying mix of Religious festivals, rituals and traditions. Can you believe Google globally ranks us at 4th with 18 on the most holidays country listing. We are truly some of the happiest people on earth. But I digress. Yesterday we celebrated Divali which is also commonly known as the festival of lights. This festival celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil which is all detailed in Hindu scriptures.

For those of you who don’t know, In 1845 Divali was brought to Trinidad and Tobago by our Hindu East Indian ancestors who came as indentured labourers to work on the sugar cane plantations, after the end of slavery. And it has been celebrated ever since on the 15th night of the dark fornight, either in October or November.

As a child growing up I always looked forward to Divali to see the temples, parks, communities and people’s home lit up The Hindus would use these small clay bowls or saucers. In it they would put coconut oil or as Lutchmie, my housekeeper would say, Ghee (a type of butter). A flame would be lit from a woolen wick placed at the centre. Some families and communities construct elaborate bamboo structures which the deyas are put in. They provide a spectacular sight as you can see below.

More recently the deyas have been increasingly replaced with electric lighting

Before the lighting, Hindu devotees fast, clean their homes and surroundings, wear new clothes, give to charity and conduct prayers as it is a very sacred time for them. After this is finished, there is a celebration with quite a sumptious array of food (no meat for followers but I throw in some curry chicken). The meal typically includes roti, pumpkin, mango, dhal, potato and channa. After that there are sweets like Khurma and a sweet cake called barfi. If you like your belly you will like this.

So you might be wondering how this might connect up with Wealthy Affiliate. Well the intent of the Divali celebrations is to encourage man to seek the right (spiritual) pathway on his/ her journey toward enlightenment. Like the deyas (lighs) I believe that we, as affiliates, seek lihgt and wisdom on our joureny for everlasting fulfillment.