Caribbean islands, especially Trinidad and Tobago, are famed for their diverse culture and abilities to co-exist harmoniously. How these islands become diverse however, lies in a history plagued by the disquieting and despotic terrors of slavery. Despite being abolished however, another predicament arose in the form of an absence of a permanent labour force, as without the slaves there was no one left to work the sugar cane fields. With an issue that threatened to single-handedly send the monetary state of the island into complete ruin, Trinidad and Tobago turned to indentureship as a quick solution. Around 143,939 Indians were migrated to the island between 1845 and 1917, under questionable contracts. Regardless of the fact that slavery was
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As a customer admired their rugs, the boy smiles and once more catches the eyes of the male vendor who warmly reciprocates the gesture. The last ounce of gallantry needed by the boy to confront them is given through this smile. After searching for one of the only words he knows of their language, he greets them, merely saying, “salaam.” Once again laughter is overheard, but it is a pleasant sound to the ears of the child as they question him about his earlier outburst. With knowledge at the forefront of his mind, he asks for the name of the street, which is funny to the vendors as they have noticed him every morning looking at the alley and its inhabitants. Proudly provided by the man, the boy acquires the name of the street to be “Calcatta” and his inquiry has now been appeased. Bestowed upon the boy, without problem, is the unknown knowledge possessed by the man, as he is portrayed as a sort of guardian willing to share with the boy all the facts he has of the places he exists in. Although most of their time is spent giggling at the boy, the women also provide some type of an educational experience as he is able to purchase one of their many scrumptious foods, the “yellow, wet channa,” with “plenty” pepper as a souvenir. Again, the man asserts himself as a guardian as he quickly produces a penny, as opposed to the boy’s frantic search for his own, and pays for the bag of channa before sending him on his
As a customer admired their rugs, the boy smiles and once more catches the eyes of the male vendor who warmly reciprocates the gesture. The last ounce of gallantry needed by the boy to confront them is given through this smile. After searching for one of the only words he knows of their language, he greets them, merely saying, “salaam.” Once again laughter is overheard, but it is a pleasant sound to the ears of the child as they question him about his earlier outburst. With knowledge at the forefront of his mind, he asks for the name of the street, which is funny to the vendors as they have noticed him every morning looking at the alley and its inhabitants. Proudly provided by the man, the boy acquires the name of the street to be “Calcatta” and his inquiry has now been appeased. Bestowed upon the boy, without problem, is the unknown knowledge possessed by the man, as he is portrayed as a sort of guardian willing to share with the boy all the facts he has of the places he exists in. Although most of their time is spent giggling at the boy, the women also provide some type of an educational experience as he is able to purchase one of their many scrumptious foods, the “yellow, wet channa,” with “plenty” pepper as a souvenir. Again, the man asserts himself as a guardian as he quickly produces a penny, as opposed to the boy’s frantic search for his own, and pays for the bag of channa before sending him on his