Photograph By: Valdez & Torry International

Indian Arrival Day

Posted: 3rd Oct 2009

Indian Arrival Day is celebrated on various days around the world, the day was established to commemorate the arrival of people from the Indian subcontinent to that nation. It originally originates from Trinidad and Tobago and has since spread to many nations.

Indian Arrival Day is a public holiday celebrated on May 30^th in Trinidad and Tobago each year. The celebration began to remember the arrival of the first Indian labourers from India to Trinidad in May 1845 on the ship Fatel Razack.

While this momentous event has been celebrated among the East Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago for many years, it was only in 1994 that it was made an official public holiday. It was called Arrival Day and in 1995 it was re-named Indian Arrival Day.

Today the event is celebrated by staging a re-enactment of the arrival of the Fatel Razack at various beaches, along with music and dance ceremonies. Members of the community with outstanding contribution to society are also honoured at this event.

In Guyana the holiday is celebrated on May 5^th commemorating the first arrival of servants from India to the country on May 5^th 1838. On this day the workers arrived to work in sugar plantations. Their descendants today make up 44% of Guyana’s population.

In Mauritius the holiday is celebrated on November 2^nd to commemorate the labourers brought to the island.

In Guadeloupe and Martinique the commemoration of 150 years of Indian presence is celebrated officially by Indians and non-Indians.

In Suriname, Indian arrival Day is celebrated on June 5^th.

Written By: Nadia Auckburally