Holi and Caribbean Phagwah Festival

Indian Holi and Caribbean Phagwah Festival

I had few years ago come to know about Indian community living in Southern American countries like Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago and Suriname. After studying more about them I got to know that even though their official language is English and is spoken by their current generation but their older generation still talks to their loved ones in Awadhi and Bhojpuri language. The older generation which was young earlier when the British brought them to these countries as indentured labourers had settled there itself and hence is able to retain the Northern Indian culture and language like Awadhi and Bhojpuri.

I also got to know that they celebrate Indian festivals too and Holi is on the oft prominent festival there and is celebrated as Phagwah. Phagwah is derived from the world Phalgun which is the name of a month from the Indian calendar.

Well in Guyana and Suriname not only the Hindus but all other people belonging to other ethnic groups (whose ancestors were Indian) celebrate Phagwah.

Preparation of Sweets in Phagwah 

Just like celebration in India, in Guyana too  they prepare various sweets at home like Barfi and Gujia for Phagwah.

I sometimes wonder how have they still been able to keep their Indian culture alive even after 100 years of migration to these countries. Whatsoever it maybe, it's good to know that somewhere far away there is an alive and happy Indian community.

Traditional Dresses in Phagwah

Men and Women from Caribbean countries' also wear traditional dresses like Kurta and Sarees for celebrating Phagwah. It is really nice to see people living so far away from India retaining their culture.

Indian Music in Phagwah

After researching more about it I also learned that Hindi songs are extremely popular there especially the ones which are related to some sort of celebration. In Guyana also they dance on the Holi songs - Rang Barse Bheege Chunar Wali and Jogira Sa Ra Ra Ra Ra ! Thanks for Bollywood!

Use of Abeer in Phagwah

They play Holi or the Phagwah with great pomp by applying colour to each other and wishing everyone a very happy Phagwah. This colour that they put in each other is known as Abeer and it is exactly what we call it here in India. 

My introduction to Phagua 

There is a dialogue in the movie Nadiya Ke Paar where Chandan says this to Gunja - Hum bhi dikhaate hain tumko Balihaar ka Phagua ! This is when thie word Phagua was embedded in my mind. It is surely a word used in the easter Awadhi Region of Uttar Pradesh and wester region of Bihar.

I wish all the people settled in far away countries like Guyana, Suriname and Fiji etc a very Happy Phagwah.

I hope someday we all are able to witness Caribbean countries' or Guyana's Phagwah !

 

Photo by Raquel Sílva: https://www.pexels.com/photo/unrecognizable-black-woman-creating-colorful-dust-during-holi-on-embankment-3738222/