The people of Trinidad and Tobago observe May 30 as Indian Arrival Day.

This holiday honors the nation's citizens of Indian descent and acknowledges their
contribution to the social and cultural landscape of Trinidad and Tobago.

In particular, it recalls the arrival of the first boats from India in 1845.

The boats brought poor people who were made to work as indentured servants, thereby
filling the need for cheap labor created by the emancipation of the nation's African slaves
in 1838.

The holiday grew out of an observance organized by Indian social activists in 1977, who
used the festival to counter anti-Indian prejudice and to encourage ethnic pride in
Trinidad's citizens of Indian descent.

It was later adopted as a national observance.

Today the holiday is celebrated with reenactments of the arrival of the first ships
bringing Indians to Trinidad, parades honoring the history of the nation's Indian citizens
and their festivals, and various cultural events.

Full story:
https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Indian+Arrival+Day

Mike Dippel

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