Author: Caribbean Hindustani

In the colonial diaspora, Bhojpuri culture forms the main part. This is evident in the lyrics of a song that is sung during a children’s game called “Ika Boka”. In the video is a demonstration of this game being palyed in a Mauritian primary school. In Mauritius the game is called “Oka Boka” and the…

THE MISUNDERSTOOD LANGUAGE OF CARIBBEAN HINDUSTĀNĪ: CULTURAL PRESERVATION AND RETENTION THROUGH DISPELLING MISCONCEPTION Visham bhimuLL National Council of Indian Culture Trinidad and Tobago Abstract Much of the colonial Indian diaspora, like India, have recognized Modern Standard Hindi (MSH) as the authoritative form of the Hindustani language. The nationalistic move by India to adopt the Khaṛī…

The Māṭīkhor (Digging of the dirt) is an integral ritual in the Hindu marriage ceremony in the Indo-Caribbean tradition. Today, the Friday night, the night of the weekend long activity, is called ‘Hardī Ke Rāt’ (The night of applying the turmeric to the skin of the bride or bridegroom) or ‘Māṭīkhor’. Both rituals are performed…

Dhanteras ot the first day of Divali, the Hindu festival celebrated on the trayodashi or thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha (waning fortnight) in the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar month of Karthik. Thus it is also known as Dhanvantri Trayodashi. Dhanvantari, who is also worshipped on the occasion of Dhanteras, is considered the God of…

STORIES OF OUR PAST Credit : Angelo Bissessarsingh. THE MILK SELLERS OF PORT OF SPAIN. It was primarily the labour needs of the sugar industry, particularly those of the extremely powerful William Hardin Burnley of Orange Grove Estate that provided the impetus for the importation of indentured labour from India. Indeed, almost a decade after…

Here is a popular Local Classical number in the Tilana genre that has become a classic within the Indo-Caribbean context. Heavenly merriment राज इन्दर झीम झीम झूम (The king of the gods dances and sways) चा ना ना ना ना ना नाधिर (Cha na na na na nanadhir sound of the beat) चतुरंग को गाई…

East Indians in Belize comprise four percent (7,000 persons) of the population. Understandably, they have lost almost all of their traditional Indian culture. Interestingly, Indians in Belize are longing to rediscover and re-claim their Indian history, heritage and culture. They are looking towards Trinidad for inspiration, interaction, support and sustenance. Formally known as British Honduras,…

Sharad Navaratri ki hardik shubhakaamanayen! A compilation of verses from the Rigveda in offerings to the ritual fire (Agni) for the sake of the Universal Goddess or the Remover of ‘durg’ or obstacles), during this the Sharad Navratri (The Nine Auspicious Nights of Spring dedicated to Goddess of the Universe.) जातवेदसे सुनवाम सोममरातीयतो निदहाति वेदः।…