Hosay Riot of 1884

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Hosay Riot of 1884 The years after emancipation were hard for the planters of Trinidad as labour sources were low and not as dependable and manageable as the pre-emancipation era. Due to this need for cheap easily managed labour the introduction of Indians from India came in 1845. Soon to follow in 1846 the indentureship era began and indeed working conditions in the years to come became harder for this East Indian race. As working conditions became harder for the indentured labourers and a depression in the sugar industry to which they the east Indians became the ‘back bone’ of, the observance of their religious beliefs kept them psychologically sound even while they were made to feel the economic pressure the country was undergoing. During the immigration of the East Indians many were Hindus and still practiced their relative worship. The minority were Muslims who also practiced their rituals soon to come the Muslims annual festival Hosay became a national festival in Trinidad. According to Brereton, “It became largely a chance for festivity for an over worked and oppressed laboring class”, (p.105) Hosay was celebrated largely by the Shi ’ite Muslims, a minority sect to the Sunni Muslims in commemoration of the death of the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, Hussein and Hassan. In the 1850’s this festivity began in Trinidad and later was allowed by Queen Victoria. It was largely celebrated by Muslims, Hindus and creoles alike. Though to the British Hosay was painted as “deviltry” though the culture of these newcomers still fascinated them. In the years leading up to 1884 the Indians became increasingly aroused and the Hosay celebrations were becoming increasingly disruptive. In order to curb these acts of violence the governor had an act drawn up, the Riot Act, to ban the celebrants from their processions through the streets and boroughs. Restricting them to
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