Guyanese Hindu History: A Journey of Resilience and FaithThe history of Guyanese Hindus is a testament to resilience, cultural preservation, and spiritual strength, shaped by the arrival of indentured laborers from India and their enduring commitment to Sanatana Dharma. This article explores this rich heritage, featured on Temples in Guyana, highlighting the community’s journey and the influential leaders who shaped it.Arrival of Indentured Laborers
The story begins with the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which ended slavery in the British Empire, leaving sugar plantations in British Guiana (now Guyana) short of labor. To fill this void, Britain turned to India, recruiting indentured laborers between 1838 and 1917. The first group of 396 immigrants arrived on May 5, 1838, from Calcutta, marking the start of a massive migration. Over 238,000 Indians, primarily from North India’s Bhojpuri and Awadhi regions, along with some from South India, journeyed across the “kalapani” (Black Waters) under harsh conditions—overcrowded ships, poor food, and diseases like cholera claimed many lives. Promised land or return passage after ten years, most stayed, adapting to Guyana’s tropical climate and forging a new life. Despite brutal working conditions and hostility from freed African populations, these laborers brought their Hindu faith, laying the foundation for a vibrant community.Preserving Sanatana Dharma in Guyana
Sanatana Dharma, the eternal way of Hinduism, thrived despite challenges. Initially, laborers held rituals under mango trees due to the lack of proper spaces, a practice born from the poor “lodgies” provided by colonizers. Over time, they built mandirs along the coast, embedding Hindu practices into Guyanese culture. The arrival of Arya Samaj in 1910 and other reform movements in the late 1940s strengthened this preservation, countering Christian missionary efforts that began in 1852 with little success. The caste system, rigid in India, broke down, allowing a unified Hindu identity to emerge. Families passed down epics like the Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita, brought on immigrant ships, while festivals like Diwali and Phagwah became community celebrations. Though Hinduism’s share of the population has declined from 35% in 1991 to 24.8% in 2012, the Indo-Guyanese (about 40% of the population) continue to uphold rituals, music, and cuisine, ensuring Sanatana Dharma’s vitality.Prominent Guyanese Hindu Leaders and Their RoleSeveral leaders have played pivotal roles in shaping Guyanese Hinduism. Vindhya Vasini Persaud, current president of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and a government minister, advocates for Hindu rights and cultural preservation, drawing from her grandfather’s indentured journey. Her leadership promotes temple activities and education. Sivindra Mangru, president of the Peter’s Hall Mandir, has served nearly a decade, emphasizing community unity and rejecting caste divisions, a legacy of the indentured era. Kamala Dhanvanti, a 56-year-old caretaker at the same mandir for 30 years, exemplifies devotion by maintaining deity statues and assisting pujas, inspiring others through selfless service.
Historically, the Ruhomon brothers, Joseph and Peter, were instrumental in the early 20th century, fostering Indian identity through writings and cultural organizations like the East Indian Cricket Club (1915) and Hindu Society (1922). J.A. Luckhoo, the first Indo-Guyanese legislator in 1916, paved the way for political representation, while Ayube Edun, a prominent leader in the 1920s, envisioned Indo-Guyanese dominance, reflecting growing confidence. Visits from Indian figures like Rev. C.F. Andrews in the 1920s further bolstered this movement. In the diaspora, Ramesh Kalicharran, a New York-based pandit, founded the Pandits Parishad to train priests and promote Sanatana Dharma, influencing Guyanese Hindus globally.
0 Comments