Did You Know: Indian Arrival Day in Trinidad and Tobago
"On the 16th February 1845, the Fatal Razack, which means Victory for Allah, set sail from the docks off the city of Calcutta destined for the Caribbean. The ship docked off Port-of-Spain on the 30th May, 1845. It left India with 231 immigrants on board, but 6 died on the voyage and 2 were born. In total 227 immigrants reached Trinidad.
The journey from India to Trinidad was a very perilous and heart rendering one. During this journey, the immigrants were subjected to harsh treatments. They also had to overcome dangerous weather conditions such as hurricanes and cyclones and were subjected to a number of climate changes ranging from the hot weather from the Bay of Bengal to the cold smoggy climate off coasts of South Africa. After that, they headed in a north-westerly direction to the tropics and finally to the Islands.
On board the vessel, the immigrants lived in an incessant state of semi-darkness below decks. It was not possible for them to light lamps because there was a fear that it may cause fire on board, they were forbidden from bringing their own food so by force, they had to eat whatever was prepared for them. They were restricted from moving upwards into the open areas of the vessel because immigrants chose to jump overboard in a desperate effort to swim back to their beloved homeland India.
On board the vessel, little or no regard was shown to the religious and cultural practices of the immigrants. For example, the cook on board the ship had no qualms about preparing beef broth for the nursing Hindu women. Food often deteriorated and became infested with insects or rotted because of poor preservation practices. The treatment of the dead was just as worse in that when an immigrant died at sea, his or her body was just bagged, secured with a heavy stone and flung overboard during the night. The women folks on board became the target of European crewmen who came from the unemployed, illiterate classes of society.
On board the vessel, the hardships and mistreatment that the immigrants had to undergo did not deter them from their purpose. In fact, they emerged stronger and were able to cope with the new problems that they would have to face in the Caribbean. The treacherous journey served as a time for bonding for these immigrants. Their experiences brought them together in a Jahaaji Bhai / Bahin (brother or sister of the boat) bond or Jahaaji Nata (boat relation) that surpassed the divisions of caste, religion and language which was a dividing force in India. Whilst on the estates, these immigrants will seek out their Jahaaji bhai / bahin whom they now considered family and assisted each other in times of difficulties.
After this long journey, the indenture ship finally docked at the Coolie Depot on Nelson Island off the Port of Spain docks. Whilst on the island, the new immigrants were fed and allowed to rest for approximately two weeks before being allocated to the various plantations / estates.This parting was a very sad one because for many of them this would be the last time they would see their Jahaaj (boat).
From the Coolie Depot, the indentured labourers were taken to Port of Spain by their new owners, and from there they travelled to the various estates via train, coastal steamers or horse drawn carriages, each one grasping in their hand the small bundle of clothes and other keepsakes that he / she brought with him / her from their mother-land (Dharti-Maataa) as they slowly disappeared into the various estates. Their hard work and painful life as indentured labourers had just begun."
Source:
(http://www.trinidadexpress.com/…/Leaving-India-260685321.ht…)
CUSTOMS AND FESTIVALS
 The East Indians brought to Trinidad a wide range of festivals and religious observances. For East Indians - both Hindus and Muslims - these celebrations were important. They allowed the immigrants to hold on to the values and principles which had sustained them for centuries. They also served to make the harsh daily life more bearable. Events such as Divali, Eid-ul-Fitr, Phagwa and Hoosay have, over the years, become part of the cultural fabric of Trinidad and Tobago.
East Indians who came to the Caribbean initially came from various regions in India, each with its own language and customs. However, by the late 19th century there was less diversity in language as the majority of immigrants originated from Uttar Pradesh. The inhabitants of this region spoke Bhojpuri, a Hindi dialect, which became the shared and unifying language for East Indians in Trinidad.
The indentured labourers brought not only their religion, food and clothing, but also the names of the places from which they came. They gave to the places they settled in Trinidad, the place names with which they were familiar. Hence the reason for village names such as Fyzabad, Barrackpore, Chandernagore, and many others.
One ancient practice which has recently become a western phenomenon is the Mehndi (or Henna) which is the ancient art of body tattooing. Mehndi powder is made out of dried leaves from a shrub. Traditionally, mehndi is used to decorate the hands and feet of a new bride.
Family and community were very important to the immigrants. They brought the panchayat system which was a way of dealing with with inter-communal conflicts and family problems. They also continued their naming convention of family members. Below is a sample list of Hindu and Muslim names and their meanings.
Aruna - Dawn
 Chandra - Moon
 Indira - Lakshmi
 Indrani - Wife of Indra
 Lalita - Variety, Beauty
 Madhuri - Sweet Girl
 Mohini - Most beautiful, Bewitching
 Prema - Love
 Shanti - Peace Avinash - Endless, Boundless
 Hemaraj - King of Gold
 Manoj - Born of Mind
 Mohan - Charming, Fascinating
 Prakash - Light
 Rajesh - God of Kings
 Saurav - Divine, Celestial
 Sundar - Beautiful
 Vijay - Victory Alia, Aalia - Exalted
 Aneesa - Friendly
 Fareeda - Unique
 Fatima - Name of the Prophet Muhammad's Daughter
 Kaamla - Perfect
 Nadia - The Beginning, First
 Nadira - Rare, Precious
 Rasheeda - Wise, Mature
 Saleema - Safe, Healthy
 Yasmeen - Jasmine
 Zahraa - White Ali - Excellent
 Hamza - Lion
 Hassan - Beautiful
 Jamal - Beauty
 Kareem - Generous, Noble
 Khalid - Eternal
The indentured labourers who came to Trinidad brought with them their own East Indian cuisine, complete with traditional seasonings and ways of cooking. Most important of their spices were the curries. In Trinidad and Tobago most Hindi words in common use today relate to the kitchen and food. Over time foods such as roti, doubles, saheena, katchowrie, barah, anchar and pholourie have become household names and are consumed by a wide cross-section of the society. Today, East Indian dishes are part of the national cuisine of Trinidad and Tobago.

 EAST INDIAN COOKING UTENSILS
 In addition to the their cuisine, the East Indians also have special cooking utensils.
 Tawa
 Belna
 Chauki
 Dabila
 Puchara
 Chulah
 Pukni
 Chimta
 Karahi
 Sup
 Saphee
 Dhall-ghotni
 Okhri
 Musar
 Sil
 Lorha
 Jharu
 Lorha
 Cocoyea broom