From: schmidt@auvax1
Newsgroups: soc.culture.caribbean
Subject: RE: Indians-Indians...
Date: 12 Sep 92 01:23:28 GMT
Organization: Adelphi University

In article <1992Sep11.040228.11590@ncsu.edu>, jasammer@eos.ncsu.edu (JOHN ASHLEY SAMMERSON) writes:
> 
>                  STUFF DELETED
> 
>> I realize those islands are called West Indies, actually I've been asked
>> if I'M West Indian, but my question is:
>> 
>> What's the percentage (a guestimate)  of Indians among these Islands.
>>
> 
>   I can't speak for the other islands and Guyana, but approx. 42%
> of Trinidad's population is (of some form) of East Indian descent.
> I say "of some form", because like most Trinidadians, there is a
> remanence of every dam ethnicity amongst the masses. As a matter
> of fact, it exemplifies some of the most cosmopoliton cross-sections
> of people; especially taking into consideration it's size. Take for
> example my family; I have cousins whose dominant ethnic trait is
> of East Indian descent (surname is Maharaj) and others who are of
> a more Chinese than anything else. And this is not an uncommon
> occurence. I'll tell yuh one thing, weddings an' ting does be nice;
> from Chow Mein to Pelau to Roti. As a matter of fact, Diwali(Divali);
> a Hindu ting right around de corner. Dat is big ting for a lot of 
> Trinidad Hindus (and for some of us who just want an excuse for some
> curry).
> 
>   As far as the music goes; yes; a lot of it does have an East Indian
> overtone. Also, there is a specfic subset of soca that has an even 
> stronger East Indian intimation - called Chutney. I hear it is a big 
> ting, and growin' bigger every year.
> 
>   Ah Gone!
> 
> 
> John S.
> 100% Trini
> My Uncle Sonny never cease to amaze me
>   Since he pick up dis Indian woman living Caroni
> What she give him to eat, I really don't know
>   But ev'ry 10 words he speak, bet yuh life 9 is 'bout Golo
> He stop practicing African tradition
>   And tell he-self he true, true Indian....
>                     Golo - Second Imij  
> 	            (BTW, dis was de song at de end of de Caribbean
>                      Music Awards show that frequents BET)
> -- 
> 
> *~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*       
> * Computer Arch & Telecommunications *   jasammer@eos.ncsu.edu *
> * Dept. of Elect & Comp Engineering  *  or js@duke.cs.duke.edu *
> * North Carolina State University    *  Phone:  (919) 546-0780 *    
> *--------------------------------------------------------------* 

I had been curious for some time concerning the ethnicity of one of the many
Trinis I know at my "paying" job, and eventually got up the courage to ask him. 
It turns out he is one quarter Black, one quarter "East Indian", one quarter
Portugese, and one quarter Chinese, give or take a little.  Trinidad has to be
one of the most cosmopolitan places around.  The history of how this came about
is most fascinating.

John
  
-- 
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