The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-18
COOL|ES ARE VERY IMPORTANT PART
 OF TRINIDAD LIFE
Attractiveness of Women Makes Up for Unpleas- ant Features of
 the Men

Port of Spain, Trinidad, August IT. Especial )--For the traveller from the United States who never has visited the far east the coolies, or East h. dians of Trinidad, will have a particu- larly fascinating apreal. These peo, pie, though most Of them have been here for many years. are a strictly for eisn section, remaining true to their religions, their manners and their GUS toms. Through a ss stem of iudenture established by England in the early years of the last century these coolies have been brought to Trinidad year after year as latorers for the sugar and cocoa plantations. However, this indenture plan is about to be dscon- tinued. the British government having ordered its abolishment after giving the planters five years of grace in which to adjust themselves to the new order of things that will obtain when no more coolies can be indentured
 ! he East Indian population in Trini- dad is more than 100, ,000 with Fort of Spain and San Fernando as the centers of the colonies. The coolies are the most interesting and picturesque fea- ture of life on this island. Their dress manners customs ideas and religions are so entirely different from those belonging 0 the native of this and the other West Indian group that they form a fertile field for study The coclies have not changed any of their customs or ways since coming to this foreign shore. and therefore in their villages and settlements they give this island an atmosphere of the far east
 The coolie men are characterized by thin and ernaciated features. Very sel dom does enc observe an East Indian man with stout legs. The cooke almost seems 10 he standardiZed with long, 1.-the legs that are marked by an. absence ct symmetry. These Indians are very dark with straight features. Many have heavy boards, while others are distinguished by dark mustaches, muttonchops or coach mans wlsiskers
 But the women fully make up for ali that ehe men lack in physical attrac- tiveness Some of the coolie girls and young women are beautiful-women who, if they were white and had the clothes of a well dressed New Yorker, would out shine most of the women on Fifth ave nue. They possess spelndid stature, well formed figures and facial features that very frequently are the perfection If beauty Their teeth showing against the darkness of their skin, only add to ths attractive quality; while their eyes speak with a flashing force that might easily prove irresistible in a white woman.
 In the home life of the cooles will be. found much that is foreign to every othe, race. The houses are scantily furnished. some of the homes of the poorer cooies being without chair or stool. They are always small, poorly constructed and of a variety of materials. Some are made If mud, many of straw and bamboo, but very few of wood alone. Some possess q single room with the earth as the floor; others have two or three rooms which may contain two or three pieces of fur niture. Some of the lower caste coolies are very dirty about their homes, though among the higher class East Indians the homes are kept very clean. These usually are painted white, inside and out. ans. are kept in very good order and free from dirt by the women, who seem to take considerable pride in working about the house.
 Basket weaving is an important in dustry among the coolies who are not indentured in Trinidad, or who have served their period under contract and settled down to live on this island. Both men and women are skillful in the art of weaving these baskets, and the more industrious of them earn very good pay through their work. Other willing coolies who are adept at sew ing and making fancy work, reap good returns from their work; and certain spcts in villages of the island contain little sewing colonies where these workers may be seen each day, prepar- ing their goods for the stores.
 But unless the colonial government reconsiders its decree on indenture, the East Indian coolie, with all he has that is quaint and picturesque. is certain to be lost to Trinidad after the passing of some few years: and with his pass ing will come labor problem of such serious import that upon it's settlement may depend the entire future of this British colony Local men of power and prominence have hopes of solving the question satisfactorily-and they are derending a great deal upon the part the coolies are playing for England in the war to bring about action by the British government that will be favOr- ah1e to it's adjustment.
 The Age-herald Travel Series, show ing views of he East Indians of Trini- dad, may be seen at the Colonial thea tre. Birmingham. and Franklin theatre, Ensley.