The Ramayana Tradition and Socio-Religious Change in Trinidad, 1917-1990

Hinduism is the second largest socio-religious denomination in Trinidad and Tobago, yet much of the fundamental dimensions of Trinidad Hinduism remain undocumented and a virtual enigma for most of the non-Hindu population. In The Ramayana Tradition and Socio-Religious Change in Trinidad, 1917 1990, Sherry-Ann Singh, demystifies Hindu thought and practice in Trinidad and charts the evolution of a significant section of the Indian diaspora. Using the Ramayana, one of the two great epics of India, and the most popular Hindu religious text in Trinidad, Singh deconstructs the major misconceptions surrounding Trinidad Hinduism. Rather than examining Hinduism in Trinidad as a secondary dimension of the Indian experience, Singh employs an insider s view to unmask the socio-religious transformation of the Hindu community. The result is a pioneering exposition of the dimensions of the Ramayana tradition in Trinidad and a charting of the journey of the Hindu community from the bottom of the socio-economic ladder in 1917 at the end of Indian indentured immigration to one that was essentially integrated into the social, political and economic life of Trinidad by 1990. Explores Hindu Thought And Practice In Trinidad And Charts The Evolution Of A Significant Section Of The Indian Diaspora, Using The Most Popular Hindu Religious Text In Trinidad, The Ramayana. Socio-religious Change, 1917-45 -- The Ramayana Tradition -- The Hindu Textual Tradition -- Socio-religious Change, 1945-90 : The Private Domain -- Socio-religious Change, 1945-90 : The Public Domain. Sherry-ann Singh. Based On Author's Doctoral Thesis, University Of The West Indies, Saint Augustine, Trinidad And Tobago, 2005. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [293]-312) And Index. TABLE OF CONTENTS 8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 10 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 12 INTRODUCTION 14 CHAPTER ONE: Socio-Religious Change 1917–45 41 CHAPTER TWO: The Ramayana Tradition 76 CHAPTER THREE: The Hindu Textual Tradition 113 CHAPTER FOUR: Socio-Religious Change, 1945–90: The Private Domain 152 CHAPTER FIVE: Socio-Religious Change, 1945–90: The Public Domain 203 CONCLUSION: Theory of Change 249 APPENDICES 270 NOTES 286 GLOSSARY 298 BIBLIOGRAPHY 306 INDEX 326 Hinduism is the second largest socio-religious denomination in Trinidad and Tobago, yet much of the fundamental dimensions of Trinidad Hinduism remain undocumented and a virtual enigma for most of the non-Hindu population. In this volume, Sherry-Ann Singh, demystifies Hindu thought and practice in Trinidad and charts the evolution of a significant section of the Indian diaspora.