Holi Celebration in Trinidad 2011

The islands of Trinidad and Tobago are located at the southern part of the Caribbean island. Majority of the population of this country are Indo-Trinidadians in ethnicity. These Indo-Trinidians consist of nearly 40% of the total population. Due to the significant presence of the Indians, many Hindu festivals are celebrated in this country. Quite naturally, Holi””the Hindu festival of colors””is celebrated in a big way in this country. The Holi Celebration in Trinidad 2011 will be observed with same kind of gusto and enthusiasm.

Holi Celebration in Trinidad

Holi, the popular Hindu festival is celebrated in many parts of the world where there is signinificant presence of Indian diaspora. In Trinidad, too the festival is observed with much pomp and enthusiasm. In Trinidad and Tobago, the festival is popularly known as Phagwa.

The root of the Holi festival in the Trinidad Island goes back to 1845. During that time, a large number of Indians from the state of Bihar, migrated to Trinidad as contract laborers in various sugarcane fields of the country. These contractual laborers working in the country, only started celebrating the occasion in Trinidad. Since then, the festival is being observed in the country every year with fun and great enthusiasm. In the earlier years, the festival was a very low key affair. But, with time, the popularity of the festival has grown in the country. Today, festival is a big affair in the country and is celebrated in grand style. The Holi Celebration in Trinidad 2011 will be no exception.

Hindus, who are present in the island, actively take part in this festival.

Major Features of the festival

• Includes dance, music, songs and colors.
• A variety of colored powder are added to water to prepare the mixture. On the eventful day, colors are applied to the others in such a way that they become unrecognizable.
• A variety of special Holi dishes are prepared at the houses of the Indians in Trinidad. Sweets & greetings are exchanged between the people. People take this festival as wonderful opportunity to get out of all types of enmity and animosity.
• Various ceremonies are held at different parts of Trinidad. Prince Prahalad, stately king Hrinia appear in delicate attire appear during the Holi. Purple red abber (dye) is sprinkled every where. It is believed that occasion marks the victory of good over bad and a general sense of harmony prevails in the atmosphere.
• Another important feature of the Holi celebration in Trinidad is the Chowtal””a traditional folk song. This special folk song is sung during this festival. The Chowtal is generally played with two instruments””the majeera and the dholak.
• Majeera is a percussion instrument and the dholak is a hand drum. The Chowtal songs are very high pitched and sung very loudly. The high-pitched music sets the perfect mood of the festival.
• Many people join the celebrations, being attracted by this music and dance with the rhythm. In recent times, however a different type of music, called Chutney is replacing the traditional Chowtal

Last Updated on 28/01/2011