Although not an official holiday yet, today marks the 151st anniversary of the arrival of East Indians to Grenada. They came to work as indentured labourers after the emancipation of the African slaves. The first ship, named the Maidstone, departed from Calcutta on January 27, 1857 and arrived a few months later on May 1. In all; 3,206 East Indians arrived to Grenada by 1885. Only 380 of them returned to India. The Indians made many contributions to Grenada, with the most obvious being the foods-especially dalpuri and curry goat.
Indian Arrival Day was celebrated last year for the first time since the centenary celebration in 1957.
Indian Arrival Day was celebrated last year for the first time since the centenary celebration in 1957.
The following are external links that provide more information on this topic:
Info on the indenture ships
Abolition, Indentureship and Creoleness: Reflections on the Indo-Grenadian Predicament by Raymond D. Viechweg
© Kimberly Joseph
Info on the indenture ships
Abolition, Indentureship and Creoleness: Reflections on the Indo-Grenadian Predicament by Raymond D. Viechweg
© Kimberly Joseph
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