Oct. 20, 2007

GUYANA CHRONICLE


A bit of our early Muslim forefathers in Guyana

We are once again observing the holy month of Ramzaan, and we would like to share with your readers a bit of our early Muslim forefathers in Guyana. Today we take you back to a journey in time when the second wave of Muslims began arriving on the shores of Guyana.

The year 1838 marked a historical time on our calendar because it led to the rebirth of Islam (following the demised of the religion amongst the African Muslims in Guyana). It was in the year 1838 that 94 Hindustani (Indian) Muslims arrived in the colony of British Guiana on board the first two “coolie” ships – the Hesperus and the Whitby. This account debunks the myth that Muslims were not among the first set of indentured immigrants to the colony.


After slavery was abolished, the British turned to India for cheap labour which ushered in the period of indentureship and this led to the second wave of Muslims to South America, and since then Islam remained strong in Guyana notwithstanding the many obstacles that Muslims faced since their arrival and amidst a sea of evangelism.


Based on the information compiled from the two ships’ logs of the immigrants, 94 passengers, or 21 per cent of them were found to belong to the Muslim religion; the second largest group after the Dhangur tribesmen and women. Interestingly enough, from the Islamic names of some of these Dhangurs, it is apparent that they may have converted to Islam prior to their recruitment as indentured servants. However, on the embarkation list Dhangur and other castes were recorded as their scheduled caste.


The Whitby was the first to set sail from Calcutta on Saturday, 13th of January 1838, with 267 immigrants and after 112 days at sea it dropped anchor off the shores of Berbice on that eventful day, Saturday 5th May 1838. A total of 181 immigrants were unloaded - 166 men, six women who accompanied their husbands, two boys, five girls and two infants whose gender were not stated. Of the 166 males, 45 were Muslims, two of them – Ally Buckus and Chummare – were recruited to serve as mates on board the ship. Of the 45 Muslim men, five were teenaged boys ranging between the ages of 14 and 15, who were registered as indentured labourers to be paid wages in the amount of six farthings monthly. Among the six women, only one was a Muslim – Sheebah, aged 18 years, who accompanied her husband, Beejo number 92 in the embarkation register. This first batch of our ancestors was “bounded” to Plantation Highbury, East Coast Berbice, which was owned by Messrs. Davidsons and Company and administered by John Cameron.


Having unloaded its human cargo in Berbice, the Whitby then sailed to Demerara where the balance of the immigrants - comprising 82 men, two women, one boy and one girl - were unloaded, all indentured to James Matthews, Plantation Bellevue, Property of Andrew Colville, esq., of London. One Muslim man, Nophur aged 25 from Bancoorah (District of Bankura), State of West Bengal, died on the voyage, while another Muslim – Jhurri - whose name did not appear on the embarkation list, was shown as having disembarked with the other passengers.


Of the 82 men, 17 were Muslim one was a sardar, Nuthaw Khaw (spelt Nertha Khan on the disembarkation list) while, Jhurreechuck (shown as Thurry Huck on the disembarkation list) served as a mate on board the ship. Khan converted to Christianity shortly upon his arrival in the colony and was looked upon favourably by the Minister of the Parish. This trend of converting to Christianity continued throughout the years in the colony.


Up until 1966, those Indians who converted were given preferential treatment and considered more suitable for certain jobs both on the sugar plantations and in the Public Service over the other Indians who chose to follow their Hindu/Muslim religion, even though in some cases they were just as qualified as the ones who converted to Christianity.


The second ship – The Hesperus, laden with 171 passengers, departed Calcutta 16 days after the Whitby for British Guiana, on Monday, 29th January 1838, and landed later the same day as The Whitby on Saturday 5th May 1838, at Port Demerara, with 157 servants– 141 men, 6 women, 5 boys and 5 girls (which meant that 14 immigrants on the Hesperus died during the voyage). Ninety-four men and two women were bound to John Gladstone owner of Plantations Vreed-en-Hoop and Vriedestein. Among this batch of indentured servants on Gladstone Plantations, 14 were Muslims, one of them – Jeewoon Khaw (Irrwan Khan) was accompanied by his wife (Bharrupp), there was also one Pathan - Coda Buckus, aged 26 or 27, from Ara, Bihar. The remaining 61 immigrants from the Hesperus comprising 47 males, 4 women and the 10 children, were bounded to John and Henry Moss Plantation at Anna Regina, Essequibo. Among this latter batch there were 11 Muslim men, one of the men, Uckloo, was accompanied by his wife and four kids. At least two Muslim men died on the Hesperus – Soonawoolah, and Kryamt; while one immigrant - Kyut Alle - whose name did not appear on the embarkation list, was shown on the list of passengers that disembarked from the vessel.


No doubt the rebirth of Islam in 1838 (and subsequent years when fresh “recruits” were brought into the colony from Hindustan) contributed to the religious diversity in the colony. The immigrants brought with them the richness of the Mughal culture –the Urdu language, arts, cuisine, fashions and lifestyle. They came from districts and cities where the Mughal culture proliferated - Lucknow, Ghazipur, Allahabad, Agra, Gorakpur, Murshidabad, Azamgarh, Mirzapur, Shahabad, Sultanpur, Faizabad, Patna and Alighar. Where Agra, founded by Sultan Sikandar Lodi in the year 1506, and Lucknow, Faizabad and Patna, to name a few states, were centers of great learning and culture of the Mughal Empire. Soon after their arrival in the colony the Muslims became organized despite the lack of the traditional structures of mosques. With the basic characteristics such as minarets or domes these early Muslims nevertheless celebrated their traditional Islamic holidays such as Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha as well as the Tazia festival. And today, according to the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG), there are about 140 mosques scattered throughout Guyana.


Despite attempts at conversion, humiliation and subjugation, Islam survived in Guyana, and it is an ongoing struggle. Hindustani Muslims in Guyana have had a long history of resistance dating back to the 11th October 1838, when two Muslims – Jummun (Juman) and Pultun escaped the clutches of the gora sahibs (white masters). The bodies of two strange men were discovered shortly afterwards at Mahaica, in the bushes. They were believed to be the two “runaway coolies”, Jummun and Pultun.


We also saw the Rosehall uprising of 1913 where mainly Muslims were at the forefront “battling” imperialism - Moula Bux, Jahangir Khan, Dildar Khan, Chotey Khan, Aladi, and Amirbaksh stood up to the injustices on the plantations.


Ramzaan Kareem to all our brothers and sisters in Islam
Shabnam Ali
Raymond Chickerie

Do the record indicate the first and second indenturers to set feet on Guyana's soil? If so, can you please post ther names. Thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by ICIP:
Do the record indicate the first and second indenturers to set feet on Guyana's soil? If so, can you please post ther names. Thank you.

Your question makes no sense trouble maker, you done with the batchman group? As you see others are moving on and you have done nothing.

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:
Your question makes no sense trouble maker, you done with the batchman group? As you see others are moving on and you have done nothing.

What about my question "makes no sense" to you? If I know what you do not understand, I can make clearer. Thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by ICIP:

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:
Your question makes no sense trouble maker, you done with the batchman group? As you see others are moving on and you have done nothing.

What about my question "makes no sense" to you? If I know what you do not understand, I can make clearer. Thank you.

Stop being a wise fool, First and Second? There were many voyages from 1838 to 1916. We have in our possesion the passenger list of the firt two ships. I will not inform you of anything else because I dont trust you. You have tried to destroy my efforts. So tell me you all got anyway yet? Did you all digitalize the documents yet. Like i said i done and i have no website. Am sure you are happy now since you attacked the website for carrying pics of masjids in guyana. Good luck to you and MR. Singh. HE approached the archives and they had a meeting with the govt. He told me you donated few thousands of dollards for the project. I admire that.

I am on my own and doing my own thing.

BK, i got a call from India and they the project is progressing well. When do you expect to be there.

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:

quote:

Originally posted by ICIP:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jansher:
Your question makes no sense trouble maker, you done with the batchman group? As you see others are moving on and you have done nothing.

What about my question "makes no sense" to you? If I know what you do not understand, I can make clearer. Thank you.

Stop being a wise fool, First and Second? There were many voyages from 1838 to 1916. We have in our possesion the passenger list of the firt two ships. I will not inform you of anything else because I dont trust you. You have tried to destroy my efforts. So tell me you all got anyway yet? Did you all digitalize the documents yet. Like i said i done and i have no website. Am sure you are happy now since you attacked the website for carrying pics of masjids in guyana. Good luck to you and MR. Singh. HE approached the archives and they had a meeting with the govt. He told me you donated few thousands of dollards for the project. I admire that.


hahahaha unwise fool alright
amazing that someone would donate money to a cause they are clueless about and not have the answer to a simple questions.
perhaps he needs to ask where he donated his money or give his money where he ask the ???s

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:
Oct. 20, 2007

GUYANA CHRONICLE



Ramzaan Kareem to all our brothers and sisters in Islam
Shabnam Ali
Raymond Chickerie

Ray
this article is dated Oct. 20, 2007.what gives.
today is Sept.30. sch for oct 20. for chronicle.

JS
check your email.
resent the pics and few with Tajah shots.

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:
Oct. 20, 2007

GUYANA CHRONICLE



Ramzaan Kareem to all our brothers and sisters in Islam
Shabnam Ali
Raymond Chickerie

Ray
this article is dated Oct. 20, 2007.what gives.
today is Sept.30. sch for oct 20. for chronicle.

am confused.. its ramadhan and it was in chronicle on the 20th of oct.

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:
Stop being a wise fool, First and Second? There were many voyages from 1838 to 1916. We have in our possesion the passenger list of the firt two ships. I will not inform you of anything else because I dont trust you. You have tried to destroy my efforts. So tell me you all got anyway yet? Did you all digitalize the documents yet. Like i said i done and i have no website. Am sure you are happy now since you attacked the website for carrying pics of masjids in guyana. Good luck to you and MR. Singh. HE approached the archives and they had a meeting with the govt. He told me you donated few thousands of dollards for the project. I admire that.

I am on my own and doing my own thing.

BK, i got a call from India and they the project is progressing well. When do you expect to be there.

It is shame when you make an a$$ of yourself and show to the world your despicable character. All the research in the world you do will not buy you an iota of decency amongst the respectable; even during ramadhan. My critique of the IDP's website was fair, truthful and accurate - it is the truth that you are so contemptuous about.

quote:

Originally posted by ICIP:

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:
Stop being a wise fool, First and Second? There were many voyages from 1838 to 1916. We have in our possesion the passenger list of the firt two ships. I will not inform you of anything else because I dont trust you. You have tried to destroy my efforts. So tell me you all got anyway yet? Did you all digitalize the documents yet. Like i said i done and i have no website. Am sure you are happy now since you attacked the website for carrying pics of masjids in guyana. Good luck to you and MR. Singh. HE approached the archives and they had a meeting with the govt. He told me you donated few thousands of dollards for the project. I admire that.

I am on my own and doing my own thing.

BK, i got a call from India and they the project is progressing well. When do you expect to be there.

It is shame when you make an a$$ of yourself and show to the world your despicable character. All the research in the world you do will not buy you an iota of decency amongst the respectable; even during ramadhan. My critique of the IDP's website was fair, truthful and accurate - it is the truth that you are so contemptuous about.

Richard Ramdin good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:
Good luck to you and MR. Singh. HE approached the archives and they had a meeting with the govt. He told me you donated few thousands of dollards for the project. I admire that.

I am on my own and doing my own thing.

BK, i got a call from India and they the project is progressing well. When do you expect to be there.

Will probably try to make it early next year.

Mr. Singh don't have a clue about restoration of the old books (especially those that are are disintegrating when one open the books), nor does he have a clue on the equipment to use for digitizing - and after that then what - he don't know where to go from there. He is going around collecting money for the project. the main reason why he is getting the approval from the government is because THEY claim that you are a fullah and they can't trust with the project, even though they know fully well that it was your brainchild and you have the most experience and knowledge on how the do this research, including the backwards search for those records that are missing and or destroyed.

You probably could find out more about this from your father since he is one of the PPP-diehards (well I don't want to use the traditional word here).

But good luck with your dad on this, I know this is your passion.

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:

quote:

Originally posted by RQ:

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:
Oct. 20, 2007

GUYANA CHRONICLE



Ramzaan Kareem to all our brothers and sisters in Islam
Shabnam Ali
Raymond Chickerie

Ray
this article is dated Oct. 20, 2007.what gives.
today is Sept.30. sch for oct 20. for chronicle.

am confused.. its ramadhan and it was in chronicle on the 20th of oct.

biajaan
dont blame confusion on Ramadhan. during this time of fasting and prayer, you must 'gain' clarity, harmony, serenty piety...
isn't this what it's about den am confused

quote:

Originally posted by BK:

quote:

Originally posted by Jansher:
Good luck to you and MR. Singh. HE approached the archives and they had a meeting with the govt. He told me you donated few thousands of dollards for the project. I admire that.

I am on my own and doing my own thing.

BK, i got a call from India and they the project is progressing well. When do you expect to be there.

Will probably try to make it early next year.

Mr. Singh don't have a clue about restoration of the old books (especially those that are are disintegrating when one open the books), nor does he have a clue on the equipment to use for digitizing - and after that then what - he don't know where to go from there. He is going around collecting money for the project. the main reason why he is getting the approval from the government is because THEY claim that you are a fullah and they can't trust with the project, even though they know fully well that it was your brainchild and you have the most experience and knowledge on how the do this research, including the backwards search for those records that are missing and or destroyed.

You probably could find out more about this from your father since he is one of the PPP-diehards (well I don't want to use the traditional word here).

But good luck with your dad on this, I know this is your passion.

I am done with this and have no intention of wasting my time.

RQ, i know mr. ramdin well and has been all over cyber following me. I wish him luck.

BK. i have not interest in meeting anyone or talking about this project. I do little things to get satisfaction.

JS

You 2smrt that's why deh guy cybering you.
eeda dat or yuh 2 tall, dark n handsome.
eeh wanabe lik yuh, eeh na gat dem looks

A film on this subject is being discussed now.