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May 3 ,2021

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Dear Editor,

As we celebrate Portuguese and Indian Arrival Day on May 3rd and May 5th respectively, we must continue to show our gratitude to our ancestors for their sacrifices which have shaped our present and influences our future. Berbice is blessed to have the villages of the Portuguese Quarter and Calcutta along the Corentyne Coast. A strong reminder of our indentured immigrant past. Clearly the beauty of these two cultures remains ever present in the ancient county.

The influence and contributions of many sons and daughters of these two cultures including Minster of Finance Peter D’Aguiar and President Dr. Cheddi Jagan has spurred significant growth of our Nation. These two esteemed sons of Guyana formed and led their own political parties which championed the cause of the Portuguese and Indian members of our society. This is but a small example of the great heritage that has been rooted in Guyana thanks to the arrival of the Portuguese and Indians.

The recent celebration of Labour Day on May 1st was not only a celebration of today’s workers but it was also another form of showing our continual gratitude to the sacrifices made by the Portuguese and Indians that arrived many years ago to help build the sugar industry of Guyana. It is with this gratitude we continue to show our respect to these fellow citizens who on equal footing have led and built our nation, leading us to where we are today. They have strengthened our future by continually making significant contributions to the development of Guyana.

As another humble son of Portuguese and Indian immigrants I must also acknowledge the difficulty faced by the Portuguese and Indians in our society despite the many contributions made over the years. The disunity in our society that many attribute to the sugar industry and the redistribution of labour in the 1800s continues to be a challenge of today yet to be overcome. For those who do not share nor identify with the heritage of the Portuguese and Indians I invite you to consider how different Guyana’s history would be today without the contributions of these two great cultures.

We must not see each other as perpetual rivals, but instead accept that we each have a positive role to play in our country’s development. With this in mind, as we celebrate the arrival of our ancestors to Guyana let us recommit ourselves towards and continue to strive for unity and shared prosperity in the future Guyana we hope to achieve.

Sincerely,
Mr. Jamil Changlee
Chairman
The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

Replies sorted oldest to newest

@Ramakant-P posted:

The Portuguese people didn't survive in the cane fields, so the British set them up in commerce and trade.  Easy work.

@Former Member posted:

I thought they set themselves up!

Rama ,presentation of history differs from facts.



THE ARRIVAL OF THE PORTUGUESE

From the time of the abolition of the slave trade in 1807 and, particularly, during the period of the campaign to end slavery, the planters of the Caribbean and Guyana were aware of the acute need to find a substitute labour force that was both cheap and reliable to fill the ranks of the soon-to-be-liberated Africans. They initially were interested in seeking a labour force from Europe since they realised that there was a decreasing proportion of Whites in the colony. They felt that this imbalance could be remedied by recruiting indentured labour from European countries. In addition to strengthening their own security, they wanted to have an alternative labour force to compete with the ex-slaves for plantation jobs after emancipation and thus forcing down employment costs.

In late 1834, a small group of Portuguese recruited from the poverty-stricken Portuguese-owned island of Madeira arrived in Guyana to work on a sugar plantation in Demerara. Then on May 3, 1835, 40 indentured peasants arrived from Madeira on the ship, "Louisa Baillie". The arrivals were brought in through the private enterprise of the planters who were made aware of the great poverty and political instability in the island. The hard-pressed Madeiran peasants were most likely eager to seek their fortune in a land being referred to as "El Dorado". By the end of the year 553 others had arrived and were contracted as indentured labourers to various sugar plantations.

The Madeiran peasants were capable farmers since they were born and bred on a small and mountainous island where every square inch of the soil was precious. Their recruitment was part of a migration scheme based on a "bounty" system. Under this system, public money, made available by the British Government, was used to pay the planters for each immigrant transported to the Colony.

In 1835, in addition to the Portuguese who arrived, small groups of Germans and English farmers were also recruited. In 1836, 44 Irish and 47 English labourers landed in Guyana, and in following year 43 Scottish labourers arrived from Glasgow. In 1839, 209 Maltese and 121 Germans were added to the population. Many of these labourers did not adapt well to the climate and they suffered from a high mortality rate. In particular, the Maltese, who were indentured to Hibernia in Essequibo, suffered badly and their social conditions deteriorated so very rapidly that the Governor cancelled their indentures and arranged for them to be shipped back to Malta.

Between 1836 and 1839 the planters did not recruit any Portuguese, but this situation changed in 1840 when 15 Portuguese from Madeira arrived to be followed by 4,297 in 1841.

The first arrivals suffered from deficiency in diet, poor accommodation and, above all, overwork in a rigorous climate in order to improve their economic status. Yet, suffering, and even death, did not deter them, for 30 of the original emigrants, at the completion of their indenture, returned to Madeira with their earnings and encouraged their families, relatives and friends to migrate to Guyana. The later arrivals from Madeira seemed to be less impoverished, acclimatised better, and suffered little from sickness.

The year 1841, however, proved to be a bad year for the immigrants as yellow fever was raging in British Guiana and, among the children, measles spread rapidly with fatal results. Concern over the high death rate of the Portuguese led to the setting up of a commission of inquiry by the British Guiana Government to investigate the reasons for the sickness and mortality among the emigrants.

Based on the results, instructions were duly sent to the recruiting agent in Madeira to discontinue sending emigrants to Guyana after March 1, 1842. Migration was also halted when the Governor and the Bishop of the island began a scare campaign warning those who wanted to go to Guyana that they would be branded and sold as slaves on arrival. This caused the emigration to slow down to a trickle. Despite the mortality and the subsequent stoppage of emigration from Madeira, yet more than 1,200 Portuguese arrived between 1842 and 1846. A turn-around occurred in 1846 when a famine struck the island and this encouraged over 6,000 of the inhabitants to migrate to Guyana under the "bounty" system that year.

By 1848, an additional 4,000 left the island for Guyana. But migration was halted again in 1848 due to a high mortality rate among these new immigrants, but it resumed in 1850. From then on, small numbers of Portuguese continued to arrive until 1882 when the last group of 182 came. In the period from the inception of Portuguese migration, 30,645 indentured labourers arrived mainly from Madeira, while smaller groups came from the Azores, Cape Verde and Brazil.

The Portuguese labourers rarely remained on the sugar plantations after they completed their period of indenture. Generally, they found it physically difficult to carry out the tough tasks in the sugar cane fields. But they were also influenced by the popular opinion that working in the sugar cane fields was akin to slavery. In addition, they felt uncomfortable working alongside Blacks and Indians, ethnic groups that Whites regarded as socially inferior. They, being White, also felt it was below their dignity to associate themselves with such a menial position in the colonial society. Many of the planters, themselves Whites, also were in an uncomfortable position of ordering people of their own ethnic group to do strenuous field work. A suggestion by the planters for the Portuguese to be given the status as British citizens was never followed up.

As soon as their two- to four-year period of indenture ended, they moved off the plantations and on to their small plots of land as well as into the huckster and retail trade. The White merchants in Georgetown employed many of them as agents to retail imported goods to the rural areas. They quickly took over this role from some Africans and mulattos who had this task. As retailers, they established shops and supplied basic supplies to the plantation workers who were, by this time, mainly Indian indentured labourers. A few of them also began importing their own goods, including famous Portuguese wines, from Madeira.

The Portuguese adapted very quickly to commerce. During their indenture, they worked hard and saved their earnings which they invested mainly in their business. By 1851, in Georgetown, 173 out of the 296 shops belonged to Portuguese. In New Amsterdam, they owned 28 of the 52 registered shops while in the villages they had 283 of the 432 shops. By the end of the nineteenth century, large Portuguese firms were beginning to appear on Water Street in Georgetown.

The Portuguese made a significant contribution to the economy of the country as they moved into every type of business. Eventually, they formed a significant section of the growing merchant class, and became a buffer class between the non-White population and the English expatriate population. However, they were generally regarded by the English planters and civil servants as belonging to a slightly lower social status, and these Englishmen soon classified them as a different ethnic group from that of "Europeans". .

http://www.guyana.org/features...story/chapter47.html

Django

==ARRIVAL DAY MESSAGES==

May 05, 2021 News, Source - https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...-republic-of-guyana/

Arrival Day 2021 Message of His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana

Kaieteur News – I greet all Guyanese on the occasion of Arrival Day 2021. This special day is commemorated as a public holiday on May 5 each year. It celebrates the contributions to the national development of our African, Indian, Chinese, Portuguese and European ancestors and their descendants.

The declaration of May 5 as Arrival Day followed the passage on April 14, 2003, in our National Assembly, of Resolution No. 12 of 2003.

Arrival Day is a day of recognition and appreciation of our nation’s multicultural character. Arrival Day challenges us to appreciate our diverse peoples and their cultures and encourages us to strive for a society in which the contributions of every ethnic group are recognised, respected and rewarded.

https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/images/2021/04/Ali-1.jpeg

President, Irfaan Ali

It is towards that objective that I have committed to launching a One Guyana Commission. The Commission will become an instrument for valuing and respecting one another. As I indicated in my inaugural address to the National Assembly, the Commission’s work will be national in scope.

It would involve engaging our citizenry about how every Guyanese can honour his or her ancestral heritage while fashioning our blended Guyanese civilisation. I urge you all to be part of this important undertaking.

Today, May 5, also marks Indian Arrival Day. This year, we are commemorating the 183rd anniversary of the arrival of the first batch of Indian indentured immigrants to our shores. The contributions of Indians to national development are indelible and undisputable. Indians have excelled in all aspects of national life. They have also passed on a precious legacy, one which should be preserved for and transmitted to future generations.

The Indians who came to Guyana, beginning in 1838, demonstrated steadfast resilience in the face of great adversity. They persevered in the face of hardships, deprivations, oppression and back-breaking exertions. Today we can all be inspired by their sacrifices and resilience.

Today, we are faced with challenges. But if we work together in unity and love, regardless of ethnicity, lineage or political affiliation, we are bound to overcome these challenges. Let us, therefore, pool our ideas and resources and work towards eliminating some of the ills – such as suicide, domestic abuse, poverty, ignorance, substance abuse and the COVID-19 pandemic. All of these have the potential to inflict disaffection, discomfort and distress in our society. Let us also reject hate-filled, rancorous rhetoric aimed at dividing our people.

On this Arrival Day, let us all commit to pooling our efforts to build a stronger, united, freer and more prosperous nation, one in which we can exult in the vitality of our various peoples and their cultures.
Today as we celebrate the Arrival Day, let us remember that we are stronger together.

Let us remember that every group that came did so for improvement, did so to have improved living conditions, did so that successive generations will be better off.

We have an enormous opportunity today to leave a Guyana that will be incredibly better for the generation that will follow. We can only do this if we understand that collectively, in our collective strength, in our collective wisdom and the pooling together of our energies, it is only then that we can be the best and become one Guyanese people.

All of us face various degrees of adversities. But, at the end of it all, our ancestors taught us that with perseverance, patience, kindness, love, unity, and purpose, how much can be achieved.

Today, we are blessed with tremendous natural resources. We have to go back to that inner strength of our ancestors to overcome all that will be thrown at us. That inner strength is what we need to build a unified coalition to improve the lives of each other and bring freedom to this land.

That inner strength with our capacity and the opportunities that lie ahead when blended indeed can leave for this generation and generations to come enough that we can all say in a unified voice, we are proud to be part of this land.

We are proud to be Guyanese, we are proud of our ancestors, and we are proud of all that they did to make our lives better.

Thank you very much.

God bless you, and please continue to stay safe.

>>>>>

A MESSAGE FROM THE PPP ON THE OCCASION OF ARRIVAL DAY 2021

Arrival Day, designated a National Holiday on May 5, is of tremendous significance to our country and all of its people. It’s a day that brings into focus the invaluable contributions of our ancestors who came to the shores of our dear land from various parts of the world. It is also a day to commemorate their arrival and monumental achievements.

Once again, as we observe this occasion, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend greetings to all Guyanese, home and abroad.

As we commemorate this day, all Guyanese are urged to reflect on the many sacrifices our foreparents made to advance our country and better our lives. We are urged to recognise that the sacrifices of all our ancestors will be in vain, if those who would divide us are allowed to succeed.

After their grueling journeys at various points in our history to arrive here and in spite of the hardships they faced, they were selfless in their efforts to not just build for our betterment, but remained steadfast in ensuring the preservation of the various cultural traditions, which continue to instill values, enrich and shape our lives.

Those deliberate efforts have led to the creation of this multi-cultural and multi-religious society of ours in where there is immense pride in diversity imbuing us all with strength as we share and participate in the various festivals that have come to identify us as a people. Over time, those events have served to strengthened bonds of togetherness among our people. The sacrifices and achievements of our foreparents will remain a source of inspiration for our collective efforts to build a prosperous and unified nation that is home to all of us.

Over the decades, activities to commemorate Arrival Day were held across the country providing opportunities for Guyanese and visitors to interact and experience our rich and diverse cultural traditions. At this juncture, those customary vibrant and colourful celebrations associated with this day, have been curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are all reminded to observe the related protocols, to be safe and for those eligible, to get vaccinated.

Happy Arrival Day to All!
People’s Progressive Party

>>>>>

People’s National Congress

The People’s National Congress extends greetings to all Guyanese, especially those of East Indian origin, on the occasion of Arrival Day as our nation observes the 183rd Anniversary of the arrival of the first East Indian immigrants.

Arrival Day, observed as a National Holiday annually on 5th May, celebrates one of the most significant events in Guyana’s history. Our nation’s multi-cultural diversity which was shaped by the β€˜arrivals’ who came during the colonial era, is an asset that enriched our common experience.

Arrival Day not only gives persons of Indian origin an opportunity to reflect on the journey of their ancestors but also, it provides an opportunity for people of other origins to reflect on the journey and history of their own ancestors. It is important for us to examine our origins so that we could understand better the impact of our collective efforts in building our nation and appreciate the need to respect each other.

Arrival Day reminds us that our nation is richer today because of the invaluable contributions which the descendants of all immigrants have made to our national development and to shaping our Guyaneseness – the unique tapestry of beliefs, cultures and traditions.

The People’s National Congress wishes everyone a Happy Arrival Day.

>>>>>

Ethnic Relations Commission

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) extends best wishes to all Guyanese on the observance of Arrival Day 2021. A day which commemorates the historical arrival of numerous indentured servants of diverse ethnic heritages to Guyana, to replace slave labour on the sugar plantations after the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.

On this occasion, the ERC wishes to take the opportunity to reiterate the need for all Guyanese to build together upon their gains and to continue robustly the process of fostering unity and harmony.

Today, we celebrate the enrichment of diversity that Arrival Day embodies in the shaping of modern Guyana. Arrival Day is most significant for what it represents in the context of the multi-faceted mosaic it created and for which our country is known.

Our hodgepodge of multiculturalism was as a result of the untold sacrifices, desires and steadfastness of our ancestors, to practice and preserve their rich and colourful cultural traditions, having come to this land from different parts of the world at different times in our history.

In doing so individually through the various ethnic groups, sharing and participation in each other’s traditions forged our dear nation to become multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural. That is evident as all participate meaningfully in each other’s festivities which have transcended religious and ethnic boundaries to become truly national observances.

Over time, that rich, beautiful and vibrant diversity has become our strength and the common bond in the process of becoming one people, working towards a common destiny. While there have been challenges along the way, our Guyanese brothers and sisters have always found ways to foster togetherness through tolerance and respect. Herein lies the desire of all of our people for harmony and unity to be strengthened and for it to continue to prevail across this land that is home to all.

This is imperative in the interest of our nation and all its peoples so that our diversity must never be made a tool for division but one that will continue to reflect our strength and bonds of togetherness. May 5 also marks the Anniversary of the arrival of our East Indian ancestors who reached these shores on that day in 1838 while on May 3, the arrival of the Portuguese was observed.

The colourful commemorative events across the country will once again serve to bring our people together, allowing opportunities to not only participate, but for the continuation of that important process of educating for a better understanding and appreciation of our cultural traditions. This builds tolerance which is the bedrock of harmony and unity as we strive for one people out of many cultures.

As Guyanese record another milestone amidst the difficult and threatening COVID-19 crisis, the ERC nevertheless emphasises the importance of continuing to observe all the necessary precautions and regulations.

Happy Arrival Day to all Guyanese here and in the Diaspora from the Management and Staff of the Ethnic Relations Commission!

>>>>>

Indian Action Committee

The Indian Action Committee (IAC) wishes all Guyanese a Happy Arrival Day and especially calls upon all citizens to remember the 183rdAnniversary of the arrival of East Indians in Guyana.

The IAC, an organisation which promotes and preserves Indian culture and deals with the issues and concerns of persons of Indo-Guyanese origin, over the years has provided Guyanese with historical information regarding the arrival of just over 239,000 Indian immigrants who came to this country aboard 245 Coolie Ships which made a total of 534 voyages across the Kaalaa Paanii between 1838 and 1917.

The IAC also has clarified and corrected statistical errors pertaining to the arrival of the first two Coolie Ships, the WHITBY and the HESPERUS which, between them landed a total of 423 persons including 382 indentured males, 14 indentured females, 21 children and 6 Christian Anglo-Indian interpreters/superintendents.

The IAC, as the organisation has done over the years, continues to recognise the endeavours by these Indian immigrants and their descendants, the persons of Indo-Guyanese origin, to develop this country.

The IAC, which has recognised important contributions by giving awards to persons from Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo, is aware that tens of thousands of East Indians have made valuable efforts in all fields of human activity in this country including business and commerce; banking and finance; the sugar and rice industries; coconuts and other crops; fishery and livestock; mining and quarrying; forestry and sawmilling; education and academia; medicine and law; journalism and communications; accounting and insurance; private and national security; the hospitality and aviation sectors; the alcohol and beverage industries; sport and entertainment; culture and religion; and politics and governance.

The IAC recognises the extreme danger posed by COVID-19 to the entire population of Guyana including those of Indo-Guyanese origin and urges all Guyanese to practice the concept of social distancing and to take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of this lethal disease.

The IAC wishes to remind all Guyanese that the Indian immigrants who arrived in this country almost empty handed, essentially poverty stricken and with a high degree of illiteracy, have bequeathed to this country, descendants who did not remain in that original state but became literate, educated, industrious, wealthy and patriotic.

A Happy Arrival Day to all.

>>>>>

Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union

As our country once again observes Arrival Day, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) takes the opportunity to extend greetings and best wishes to the people of Guyana. The observances always serve to remind us of the rich diversity and the unique multi-cultural composition of our nation. Indeed, it adds to the specialness of Guyana that people of different backgrounds can co-exist in harmony and unity as they all seek to improve their lives, a goal linked to building our country which will surely augur well for the future generations.

While Arrival Day – May 05 – though largely associated with the arrival of East Indians, the day reminds us of all indentured immigrants brought to our land. Our research advises us that outside of the East Indians, the Madeiran Portuguese came in May 1835, the Chinese in 1853, as well as a few other ethnicities during that phase of colonialism. We are aware that the colonialists brought also labourers from Malta, Ireland, Germany and England.

Arrival Day also reminds us of the reasons for the indentureship system. The then immigrants who replaced the emancipated slaves were made to toil in the fields of the sugar plantations to enrich the foreign owners of the plantations. Indentured labourers and their families were forced to exist in inhumane and atrocious conditions. And, like their compatriots, they were forced to engage in several struggles, which gave us several martyrs, to bring about small improvements and meagre benefits in their lives and work conditions.

Today as we celebrate Arrival Day, GAWU cannot fail to observe that the industry that occasioned our diversity is being revitalised. Our Union recognises that the industry remains critical to the sustenance and wellbeing of thousands of Guyanese. The efforts to push the industry into obscurity by the past regime are well documented and the hardship it created is well known. We are encouraged by the actions and utterances of the new Government which has demonstrated its commitment. Sugar, we reiterate, has all possibilities of success but, among other things, requires the active and material support and confidence of the powers-that-be.

As we celebrate Arrival Day, GAWU urges all Guyanese to spare a moment to reflect on how far as a people we have come, the challenges we overcame and the successes we have recorded. At this time, when we ought to look to be reaching new and higher plateaus, we see concerted efforts that will very likely reverse much of the progress we have made and rightly can take pride in. Let us resist such efforts and get back on the development track.

GAWU joins with all Guyana to celebrate Arrival Day.

>>>>>

High Commissioner of India, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa

On behalf of the Government of India and the High Commission of India in Guyana, I wish to extend my best wishes to all Guyanese brothers and sisters on the occasion of the Indian Arrival Day on May 5. Starting from Port of Calcutta in India, on 13 January, 1838 by the ship β€˜Whitby’ and after traveling for 114 days arrived in Guyana, it was on this day in 1838, the first group of Indian Immigrants, set foot on this beautiful land of Guyana at Highbury on Berbice River.

It is very heartwarming to note that the Indo-Guyanese still retain their Indian traditions and culture despite settling down in a far-off country. The most striking aspect of the Indo-Guyanese in Guyana is their strength of resilience and adaptation. Indian culture has a big influence on the overall culture of Guyana be it music, food, language, art, religion, tradition, rituals, costumes, etc.

The Indian Diaspora in Guyana has and is playing a crucial role in the economic, political and social development of the country. They have excelled in almost all areas. India is very proud of the achievements by the Indo-Guyanese Diaspora and their role in the development of Guyana. The Pravasi Bhartiya Divas held in India has honoured such Guyanese achievers with the Pravasi Bhartiya Award.

I consider it indeed a matter of honour and privilege for me to serve as the Indian High Commissioner to this Girmitiya land. The priority of the current Government of India led by Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, is to build everlasting links with the Indian Diaspora the world over.

On this occasion I would like to commend major Indo-Guyanese socio-cultural-religious organisations which have been the torch bearers of preserving Indianness – Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha under Honourable Minister, Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud, Indian Commemorative Trust led by Dr. Yesu Persaud, HSS – Hindus for Selfless Service, Indian Action Committee, Cove & John Ashram, Saraswati Vidya Niketan, etc.

The Government of India has been closely working with Government of Guyana in several sectors and has delivered on various projects so far. Now we are working on over US$100 million worth of Indian Grants and Lines of Credit for building Roads, Hospitals and a Ferry, Solar panels, collaborations in agriculture, rice, sugar, etc., while oil and gas, education scholarships will be the future.

Availing this opportunity, I would like to reassure you that the High Commission would be happy to work closely with the Government and people of Guyana and extend its hand of collaboration in more areas of benefit to the people of Guyana. It is our aim and endeavours to see that the expertise and capacities available with India is shared with our friendly country, Guyana. I fondly hope that we continue to build upon this sacred relationship between India and Guyana. The massive projected transformation of Guyana in the next decade will surely have India as a strategic partner and we wish to strengthen our partnership. We wish and pray for Guyana’s success. I call upon all brothers and sisters of Guyana to take an oath to join hands and work for the growth and progress of this rainbow nation of Guyana.

On a parting note, India will be celebrating its 75th Independence Day Anniversary on 15th August, 2022. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Government of India is organising several events in India and across the globe. High Commission of India in Georgetown is also planning a series of events on this historic occasion in Guyana. We urge all Guyanese to join us in this series of events which will be publicised in due course.

Long live India-Guyana Friendship.

FM
@Ramakant-P posted:

The Europeans built sea-walls and kokers to protect the land from floods. - They were the first to introduce trading in Guyana. - They set up trading posts to trade with the Amerindians.

They treated Indians like dirt.

How do you know how they treated the. Indians? Indians only came to BG in the 19th century! The Amerindians caught runaway runaway Afro slaves for them!

FM
@Former Member posted:

Lol! Everybody is a victim these dayz. Fact remains dem better off in Merika or Guyana. Better off in Jamaica or Barbados dan staying back and born in UP, Bihar, Liberia, Congo, etc...Some of dem victims have on armani suit and sport land rovers/BMWs/Benz/Teslas and US1300 dollar iPhones. What victims...

Wooden head, which planet do you come from? You are addressing descendants, not forebears!

FM

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