The History Of Douglarization
The History of Douglarization
The word Dougla is of Hindu origin. The term has many meanings such as many, a mix and much. This term is also used to describe a certain group of people in countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and Guyana. Dougla is a derogatory term used to describe a person born to one African and one Indian parent. He/ or she is referred to as a dougla. The term is often seen as offensive as it refers to a person as half- caste or a half breed.
Dougla's came about during the period of Indian indentureship. During this period Indians were taken into the Caribbean to work on the plantations for a contracted period of time. However, very few women came to the island due to factors such as fear of exploitation and as such douglas were mainly offspring of Indian fathers and black mothers.
The Douglas were treated as outcasts in the Indian community. There were three reasons for this, namely: the socio-religious factor, the socio- economic factor and racism. The Hindu religion and the Indian culture is of the most important parts of an Indian’s life more so the Indian Indentured servant, as he was away from his homeland. Maintaining their culture was of utmost importance however Indians were of the belief that socialization with the Afro- Indians (Douglas) would ruin the purity of the race, religion and culture. The main aim of the Indians when they came to the West Indies was to gain wealth and return to their homelands. It was not a permanent move to the Caribbean however the “Douglas” represented departure from cultural traits and rendered the return almost impossible. Racism in Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean countries was prevalent at the time and individuals were treated based on the colour of their skin. This reinforced the exclusion of “Douglas” in the Indo society. These factors affected how the “Douglas” were seen both within Trinidad and in the wider Caribbean.
In recent times Afro- Indians have formed recognizable
The word Dougla is of Hindu origin. The term has many meanings such as many, a mix and much. This term is also used to describe a certain group of people in countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and Guyana. Dougla is a derogatory term used to describe a person born to one African and one Indian parent. He/ or she is referred to as a dougla. The term is often seen as offensive as it refers to a person as half- caste or a half breed.
Dougla's came about during the period of Indian indentureship. During this period Indians were taken into the Caribbean to work on the plantations for a contracted period of time. However, very few women came to the island due to factors such as fear of exploitation and as such douglas were mainly offspring of Indian fathers and black mothers.
The Douglas were treated as outcasts in the Indian community. There were three reasons for this, namely: the socio-religious factor, the socio- economic factor and racism. The Hindu religion and the Indian culture is of the most important parts of an Indian’s life more so the Indian Indentured servant, as he was away from his homeland. Maintaining their culture was of utmost importance however Indians were of the belief that socialization with the Afro- Indians (Douglas) would ruin the purity of the race, religion and culture. The main aim of the Indians when they came to the West Indies was to gain wealth and return to their homelands. It was not a permanent move to the Caribbean however the “Douglas” represented departure from cultural traits and rendered the return almost impossible. Racism in Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean countries was prevalent at the time and individuals were treated based on the colour of their skin. This reinforced the exclusion of “Douglas” in the Indo society. These factors affected how the “Douglas” were seen both within Trinidad and in the wider Caribbean.
In recent times Afro- Indians have formed recognizable