Religion has played a pivotal and important role in the world during the 1900s. Ramdew Chaitoe, impacted the Indo-Caribbean country through his religious music. The Indo-Caribbeans are people in the Caribbean with roots going back to India. Therefore, this would make them descendents of the original indentured workers brought to the Caribbean by the Dutch, French and British during colonial time. 

I chose to translate this song entitled, Ho Piretam Pyar. From the lyrics of the song, it shows that Krishna is asking his object of desire, which towns and homes she is in. Then he is asking her once again if anyone knows where she is hiding so that he can go to them to find out where she is. He asks again if she is hiding disguised as an animal and asking where he should search. He is then telling her that he has went to many different places in search of her but hasn’t find her. Lastly, Krishna is begging to his beloved to tell him where she is. The song has a religious meaning towards the Hindus which sends of a message that one of their god’s called Krishna is searching for his beloved Radha. 

The song is Baithak Gana, a form of music that originated from the Indian community in Suriname. These songs are a mixture of Bhojpuri folk songs along with Caribbean influences. In basic Baithak Gana there are three main instruments called the harmonium, dholak and the dhantal. Hindus play these instruments more frequently than any other religions or they are more likely to have them within their houses. These songs are very similar to chutney songs but are more viewed as spiritual Hindu bhajans. These are still widely used by Hindus up to this day. I say this because my Hindu grandparents would still play these songs every morning because the song embodies Hindu beliefs within it. I would think that the Hindus have made Ramdew Chaitoe an idol since few Hindus would display his picture on the walls of their homes. Baithak Gana is very popular and was used as a source of comfort and relaxation for the Indian specifically the Hindu community. 
 

The link above shows videos of my Hindu cousins playing the instruments used in Baithak Gana.
NB: Videos were too large to upload to Padlet. 

0.  (Refrain)  Ho  priytam  (प्रियतम)  pyāre;   ho  priytam  pyāre. (2)

Ho,  priytam pyāre tū kahā` vasatu hai;   mohe nagariyā batāy jā.

Mohe  nagariyā  batāy  jā;  mohe  daghariyā  batāy  jā. (Āṛāūī) (2)

Ho priytam pyāre tū kahā` vasatu hai; mohe nagariyā batāy jā.(2)

O beloved darling, where are you, object of my desire. Tell me  

the town,  tell me the house.                              

 

1. Tohare sandeshā mai` kaun se pūchhū`,  kaun se pūchhū`.  

Tohare  sandeshā  mai` kaun  se  pūchhū`,  kaun se pūchhū`. 

Kaun  nagariyā  mai`  jāu`  a...a,    kaun  nagariyā  mai`  jāu`;    

mohe daghariyā batāy jā.    (Refrain)

Who can I ask for messages about you?  In which town can I go, 

in which house can I search? 

 

2.   Ban  ke  koyaliyā;   jangalvā  me` jūru,   jangalvā  me` jūru.  

Ban  ke   machhariyā;  Jamunvā  me` jūru, Jamunvā me` jūru.  

Mohe  jangalvā  batāy  jā  a...a,   mohe  Jamunvā  batāy  jā; 

mohe nagariyā batāy jā.      (Refrain)

Did you become a cuckoo in a jungle, beloved; did you become  

a fish in the Yamuna,  beloved?  Tell me the jungle,  tell me the  

location in the Yamuna,  tell me the town.

 

3.   Kābe  me`  dūr  ā;   Madīne  me` dūr  ā,   Madīne  me` dūr  ā. 

Kāsī me` dūr ā; mai` Madhuban me`dūr ā, Madhuban me`dūr ā, 

Koī   mandirvā   batāy  jā    a...a,    koī   mandirvā   batāy   jā; 

mohe nagariyā batāy jā.     (Refrain)

I went (came) all the way to the Ka'aba and to distant Medina.  

I went all the way to Kashi and far off Madhuban.  Tell me in 

which shrine,  tell me the house.

 

4.  Mohe nagariyā batāy jā, ajī  mohe daghariyā batāy jā. (Relā) a...a 

Mohe daghariyā  batāy,  ajī  mohe nagariyā batāy,  ajī  mohe  nagari.

Ho,  priytam pyāre tū kahā` vasatu hai,  mohe nagariyā batāy jā. (2)

Tell me which town;  O tell me the house.   O beloved darling, 

where are you,  object of my desire;  tell me the place (town).

[Song may be interpreted as Krishna's search for his beloved Radha.]

Ramdew Chaitoe was born in Suriname on Dec 19th, 1942 and died on June 6th 1994. His Bhojpuri-speaking ancestors were from Eastern UP / Western Bihar. He is considered one of the foremost exponent of Baithak Gana - a musical genre that is mostly concerned with Bhojpuri folk songs and Bhojpuri bhajans - which is popular in the Bhojpuri diaspora communities of Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa, and the West Indies (Guyana & Suriname included). Ramdew learnt music from his illustrious father & songwriter/lyricist Pandit Shastrie Sewpersad (Shastri Shivprashad). He released a Baithak Gana album called The King Of Suriname in 1976. This album is considered to be the first Baithak Gana album ever in Suriname. However, due to the exposure that he and his album recieved, Chaitoe became a household name in the Indo-Caribbean world as well. These songs, like blue bhajans, captivated audiences with Chaitoe's artistic trend not just in Suriname but all over the Indo-Caribbean community. Chaitoe is regarded as one of the best singers of the Caribbean in the genre of Baithak Gana. He and Dropati are considered the greatest performers of Surinamese Hindustani music.

 

 

The African slaves that came to Haiti were from the Guinea Coast of West Africa. So the Africans of Haiti were obliged to disguise their lwa or spirits as Roman Catholic saints, a process called syncretism. Haitian Vodou is not a mixture of West African religions with veneer of Roman Catholics and this is said because of the influences from the native Taino Indians as well as the evolutionary process that Vodou has undergone by the very erratic molding of Haitian history. Also, there is a large influence of European paganism in Roman Catholicism and its pantheon of saints as well.

Now, Vodou which is a traditional Afro-Haitian religion has a fundamental principle and that everything is spirit. The primary mission and activity of Vodou is to serve the spirits (sevi lwa). During their rituals, they would go into a trancelike state being possessed by spirits and they may eat, drink, dance, give supernatural advice to people and perform medical cures. The aim of this ritualistic activity is for the restoration of balance and energy in relationships between people and between people and the spirits of the unseen world.

According to Tim Johnson, African-born Haitian Vodou is credited with empowering the successful slave rebellion that cast off Napoleon’s yoke and won Haiti its independence from France in 1804. Many Haitians view Vodou playing the most important role in the rebuilding of the country, as the religion’s messages of joy and cooperation promote renewal among locals, and as its influence on the country’s cultural traditions brings tourism dollars to communities that were devastated by the earthquake just five years ago. 

From my perspective I strongly believe that this type of religion is entirely demonic. Just from observations made by watching and studying their practices or rituals, or their oral traditions it is very ungodly. The god of Voodoo is not the God of the Bible. Not only is Voodoo a religion that is incompatible with Christianity but their beliefs and the things they are founded on are against God's Word. Voodoo is also very risky and dangerous since it opens people up for the influence of demons. Voodoo is incompatible with God's word since, firstly the true God is not worshipped, secondly Jesus is secondary to the spirits and lastly their occult practices prevail. My perspective on Voodoo became solidified when a missionary to Haiti, The Johnstons, visited my church, Charity Baptist Church, last year in January during our missions conference. He explained to us that voodoo is the most dominant of all religions and then Roman Catholics. He highlighted certain chapters of his life regarding things he had never seen before that tested his faith and trust in God. One instance of the many was when he encountered a group of voodoo worshippers in a secluded area where he saw people levitating a few feet from the ground. 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/04lth5e0g700n98/AABEjc6-UUlaFcMk1qhTSsjUa?dl=0
NB: THE LINK ABOVE IS FOR A VIDEO THAT IS FILMED JUST FOR COMEDIC PURPOSES AND IT IS NOT MEANT TO OFFEND AND HARM ANYONE IN ANY WAY. IT JUST ATTEMPTS TO DEPICT THE INCORRECT WAY SOCIETY PERCEIVES VOODOO. FOR EXAMPLE, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A VOODOO DOLL OR CRYSTAL BALL.

Crime today has unfortunately been linked to Islam and there are many indications that it can be linked to ISIS. This is disappointing since Islam has contributed so much to the development of Trinidad such as some of the prestigious schools, business places and many more. There actions for violence, however is inexcusable and could never be accepted. Christianity is facing persecution today more than ever because of ISIS.  

The verse above is from the noble Qur’an that Muslims use as a commandment from Allah. I had the opportunity to ask a Muslim the question “If Muslims were to become the majority in a country or community then they would be entitled to kill off the remaining people that aren’t Muslims?” I asked. The person replied without blinking or flinching “Yes! We would do it since it’s commanded from Allah.” 
I mentioned this to show that the Muslims have unfortunately been linked to the spike in the crime rate in Trinidad, since they view killing others as being a right and also allowed by Allah in their Koran. 

LINK FOR THE ARTICLE: 
 

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/12/isis-trinidad/509930/

 

My journey through this course was unlike any other course mainly because it was outside of my comfort zone which in turn grew and stretched me as an individual. I absolutely enjoyed the first coursework assignment since I learnt a lot about Roman Catholicism. Since I am pursuing a Biology major and most of my courses were within the Life Sciences department, which tends to be heavily weighed, this was one of those courses that I wasn’t totally engrossed in. I didn’t put the extra effort into listening to all the plenaries but the ones I listened to, the content gripped me because I was constantly fascinated and shocked by the information that was being taught for example the myths of Caribbean history such as the Caribs and Arawaks, No Civilisation before Columbus and that the Caribs were man-eaters. The course content was very engaging since it broadened my mind on the topic of civilisation and also misleading and incorrect information that were taught previously were cleared up. On the other hand, the tutorials which I attended regularly was very informative and interactive. The tutorial sessions were quite enjoyable since the tutor taught with enthusiasm which was very contagious and it encouraged me to put more effort into the course. I would like to thank all the lecturers and tutors who made the course exciting and engaging and I also appreciate the hard work and effort that was put into making Caribbean Civilisation the course it is today. 

The topic that stood out to me was religion since it plays such a pivotal role in society. Discussed in this portfolio is music with respect to Hinduism, Vodoo in Haiti and Islam. It fascinates me to observe and study the way religion has influenced and encouraged development within the Caribbean such as tourism (festivals), education, clothing and food. Religion therefore gives people an identity which gives them morals and standards and as well guides their lifestyle. 

 

A GRAVE MISTAKE 

The message in the song talks about the story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The song mainly highlights that after the death of Jesus Christ, he was buried afterwards in a tomb and by Sunday early in the morning the stone rolled away signifying the resurrection of Christ. The meaning behind the resurrection of Christ is that Jesus is God, it means that Christians (born-again) will be resurrected by the Holy Spirit and it means that all our sins have been completely paid for, as well as the Founder of the Christian Faith is alive and helping us. 

The song’s name is ‘A Grave Mistake’ which is a pun (a play on words). One of the meanings can be that the grave mistake was that he came back alive in only three days to declare that he is God and showing the world that he has conquered death, thereby death losing its sting. Another meaning to the title is, the people who killed Jesus thought they had won when Jesus died but they didn’t know he was going to come back as the King of Kings three days after dying. 

This is a significant event in the Bible because if Christ wasn’t resurrected then he would have never been God and there would have never been a Bible or the Christian faith. 

 

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1fmruwbwikgne92/AAClgtp5PDIajxnAf9A6xW5la?dl=0
NB: The link above is the video for the song. I can be seen on the extreme right in this video.