Indentureship
–
Visions of the Past
WITH
the passing of the Emancipation Act of 1834, the sugar planters of British
Guiana, like their counterparts in other British territories, found
themselves in a dilemma to replace the freed slaves.
And
so the system of indentureship came into existence. People from different
continents were trafficked to this part of the world, unsuspecting that
their hearts brimming with joy of a bright future would be plummeted in
despair.
Four
groups of people were sailed to these shores under indentureship, and
although the system came to resemble the face of slavery, it has left
legacies of cultural traditions which influence our daily lives and which
today forms modern day multi-cultural Guyana.
May
5 is observed as Arrival Day here, and even though the holiday takes on
more significance for East Indians, who celebrate the arrival of the first
batch of workers on May 5, 1838, it is also meant to reflect on the life
of the Portuguese, Chinese and Africans who came under the indentureship
system.
This
painting by final year University of Guyana Arts student Brian
Tankoon depicts a Chinese woman performing ancestor worship. In
the background are dragons, mythical to Chinese culture. It forms
part of the Indentureship exhibition at the National Museum.
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For the
seventh time, the National Museum is hosting an exhibition titled
“Indentureship under the theme “Celebrating our Cultural Diversity”.
Presented
in displays of artifacts, written material, photographs and paintings, it
is a rich collection wrapped intrigue, disbelief, and wonder and
delightful discoveries.
The
exhibition opened Wednesday and runs until May 16.
The Chinese
A simple bird kite hangs at a section dealing with the Chinese, but it
tells a truth not known about today’s kite flying craze at Easter time.
Philbert
Gajadhar, University of Guyana Arts lecturer, says this painting
of an Indian peasant girl, adorned in traditional dress, addresses
the custom of Indian Hindus and Muslims wherein girls were not
allowed to venture out alone, but accompanied only by a male of
the household. She looks to the future, her peers are in the
background. It forms part of the Indentureship exhibition at the
National Museum.
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Kite
flying originated as a Chinese tradition to mark the beginning of spring.
However, because of the plantation owners were ever so suspicious of the
planter class, the Chinese claimed that it represented the resurrection of
Jesus Christ.
It
was a clever argument, as at that time, Christians celebrated Easter to
the glory of the risen Christ.
The
Chinese came to Guyana from 1853-1879. Among the favourite pastimes of the
Chinese was opium smoking. There were many instances when the plantation
owners had to deal with the fact that they were too “high” to work.
MASKS
are an important component for African rituals and other
celebrations.
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Knitted
doileys adorned the homes of the Portuguese immigrants
from Madeira.
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The
Chinese immigrants who came to British Guiana originated mainly from the
south coast of China from such areas as Hong Kong, Canton, Amoy and
Whampoa. Those who came were of two groups: Punti (who formed more than
half of the population of the province of Kwang Tung, and who considered
themselves the rightful owners of the soil) and the Hakka (squatters).
The East Indians
The largest group of indentured immigrants who came to Guyana were the
East Indians, starting under Vreed-en-hoop plantation owner John
Gladstone.
An
Indian girl who came to Guyana under indentureship.
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They
came from different districts in the north and south of India. In the
north, they came from Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, Bihar and to a limited extent
Punjab. From the south, most originated from the Tamil and Telinga
districts of the Madrass presidency.
They were shipped from the port of Calcutta, and the first batch arrived
here on May 5, 1838 aboard the ship, Whitby.
Between
1838- 1858,a large number were “Hill Collies” (Dhangars, Mundas, Kols,
Orgons) from Nagpur, a sub-division of the Bengal presidency.
Up until 1917, about 240, 000 Indians were brought to British Guiana and
allocated to plantations around the country.
An
African fish vendor who came to Guyana from Liberia.
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Cooking
is one of the most important daily ritual of an Indian
wife. Familiar implements, including the brick used for
grinding massala, are displayed.
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Much of
the traditions they brought are fading, but the exhibition gives glimpses
of what used to be practiced.
For
example, displays of the “lorha” and “sil”, stones used to grind
massala, showcases what were primary objects in the Indian woman’s
kitchen. Though she too toiled on the plantations, cooking was one of the
most important daily routines of an Indian wife. Many will tell you that
coconut choka made from grinding roasted coconut with seasoning and pepper
far out-tastes those made from today’s modern methods.
The
Opium pipe Chinese used. Opium smoking was popular among the
Chinese immigrants, with complaints that they were too “high”
to work.
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You
will see too a checkered Rumal (headscarf), worn by Madrassi Indian women.
The Rumal, (the plain white more recognizable) though still worn by some
women, is quickly becoming a thing of the past.
The Portuguese
The Portuguese were the first set of immigrants to arrive in British
Guiana under indentureship.
A
Chinese immigrant family.
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They
left their homeland because of political instability, poverty and vain
promises of El Dorado, the golden city. The first batch of 40 arrived on
May 3, 1835 on the ship Louisa Baillie.
They
came from the island of Madeira, and supposedly one of the reasons for
bringing them was to balance the black to white ration on the colony.
However,
they became unsuitable for the work because of the harsh climate.
The exhibition features hand made knitted doileys and cloaks which adorned
the homes of the immigrants. They employed themselves in this craft for
leisure and to make some money. They also crafted furniture.
The Africans
Two
Portuguese dancers.
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The
trafficking of Africans to British Guiana was initiated in 1840 as a
result of a temporary halt of the East Indian scheme and it became one of
the most sensitive schemes.
It
is not hard to imagine why there was skepticism. Many feared that it was
the revival of the slave trade.
Those
who came were from Sierra Leone and St Helena (of Yoruba and Congo
origins). Others came from Liberia and the Cape de Verde islands.
On
display at the exhibition are mask and drums, which are important
components of African rituals and celebrations.
With
this background the Africans have made substantial contributions to the
development of the arts.
Sunday,
May 06, 2007
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