The Indian community of SVG and the Diaspora commemorated Indian Heritage Day on October 7, 2022
Indian Heritage Day received recognition on March 26, 2007, on the recommendation of then Minister of Culture Rene Baptiste; the Parliament, with full support, passed an Act declaring June 1 Indian Arrival Day and October 7 Indian Heritage Day.
Following the abolition of slavery in 1838, there was a shortage of labour as many of the newly freed slaves refused to work on the estates. Between the years 1861 and 1880, eight ships arrived from India bringing a total of 2,474 Indians. They lived on 23 estates in St Vincent.
Their journey on the ships from India to St Vincent, which lasted months, was terrible and conditions on the estates to which they were assigned were harsh. They worked long hours in the hot sun, under deplorable conditions, received low wages or none at all. Other amenities that were promised to them were not provided, and they suffered immensely on the estates.
They bore their suffering until on October 7, 1882, 50 barefooted Indians from Argyle estate laid down their cutlasses and hoes and marched all the way to Kingstown in defiance of the estate manager McKenzie and the laws of St Vincent to take their grievances directly to the Lieutenant Governor.
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The mandate of the SVG Indian Heritage Foundation is to represent the interest of the East Indian community of SVG and those in the Diaspora.
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It aims to instil a greater sense of pride in our heritage and culture. It seeks to create opportunities for Indo-Vincentians to learn more about, and preserve their history, to create and strengthen relationships, and to improve all other aspects of the Indian community
On their way to Kingstown, seven miles away, they were joined by more Indians from Calder, M Pleasant, Stubbs, Diamond, Ratho Mill, Golden Vale, Harmony Hall, Carapan, Happy Vale, Belair, and Arnos Vale.
This march by labourers was the first of its kind in the history of Kingstown, which was overrun by protesters, who were all Indians. It was also the first recorded protest march by workers in the capital. Protests by estate workers in the form of strikes and riots on the estates were held before this, but this was the first in Kingstown. The Indians made their voices heard and new relations between estate and Government authorities were established.
The SVG Indian Heritage Foundation recognizes the struggles, sacrifice, hard work and dedication of our ancestors. We cherish and preserve the legacy they have left us; their off springs, and we continue to build on the foundation they laid.
The mandate of the SVG Indian Heritage Foundation is “to represent the interest of the East Indian community of SVG and those in the Diaspora. It aims to instil a greater sense of pride in our heritage and culture. It seeks to create opportunities for Indo-Vincentians to learn more about, and preserve their history, to create and strengthen relationships, and to improve all other aspects of the Indian community.”
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