Chinese Arrival Day in Trinidad
This article is about Chinese Arrival Day in Trinidad.
Chinese Arrival Day in Trinidad is celebrated on October 12th.
On October 12, 1806, the Fortitude arrived in Trinidad carrying the first set of Chinese immigrants. They came from Macao, Penang and Canton (not mainland China).
200 Chinese embarked on the Fortitude but 8 passed away on the journey. Some were sent to sugar plantations. And some were sent to form a community of farmers and artisans at the Surveillance Estate in Cocorite (outside of Port of Spain). The living conditions were dreadful and the experiment failed since many did not have agricultural experience.
Only 23 opted to stay in Trinidad. They became shopkeepers, market gardeners, and/or carpenters. The rest returned to China in July of 1807.
By 1810, the census records only mentioned 22 Chinese males in Cocorite. By 1834, the last official mention of the community recorded just seven men remaining, at which point this initial community effectively vanishes from the formal historical record.” The Fortitude was lost in 1812.
There were a total of 9 ships that brought Chinese immigrants to Trinidad from 1806 to 1866.
The second phase started after the abolition of slavery between 1853-1866 with Chinese from the Guangdong province. The British government ended the program after the Chinese government requested free return passage for the laborers.
The third phase began in 1911 but stopped due to the Chinese Revolution. The last phase began in the 1970s and continued on a small scale.
Trinidad and Tobago now hosts an annual Chinese Arrival Dragon Boat Festival in honor of these Chinese immigrants.
This article was about Chinese Arrival Day in Trinidad.
FAQ: Chinese Arrival Day in Trinidad
1. What is Chinese Arrival Day in Trinidad?
Chinese Arrival Day, celebrated on October 12th, marks the arrival of the first group of Chinese immigrants to Trinidad in 1806 aboard the ship Fortitude.
2. Why is Chinese Arrival Day significant?
It commemorates the beginning of the Chinese community’s contribution to Trinidad’s cultural, economic, and social development. The Chinese population influenced local cuisine, business, and multicultural identity.
3. Who were the first Chinese immigrants to Trinidad?
The first group of about 200 Chinese men came from Macao, Penang, and Canton (not mainland China). They arrived on the Fortitude on October 12, 1806.
4. What happened to the first group of Chinese immigrants?
They were placed on sugar estates or sent to form a small community of farmers and artisans at Surveillance Estate in Cocorite, near Port of Spain. However, poor living conditions and lack of agricultural experience led to failure. Many returned to China in 1807, and only 23 chose to remain in Trinidad.
5. Why did the British government end the Chinese labor program?
The program ended when the Chinese government demanded free return passage for Chinese laborers, which the British found too costly.
6. What is known about the Fortitude?
The Fortitude was the first ship to bring Chinese immigrants to Trinidad. It carried 200 passengers, of whom eight died during the voyage. The ship was lost at sea in 1812.
7. How is Chinese Arrival Day celebrated today?
Trinidad and Tobago honors the Chinese community with cultural events such as the Chinese Arrival Dragon Boat Festival, featuring dragon boat races, traditional Chinese performances, and community gatherings.
8. What is the legacy of the Chinese community in Trinidad today?
The Chinese-Trinidadian community has become an integral part of the nation’s multicultural fabric—contributing to business, cuisine, arts, and civic life.
Main References
Trinidad & Tobago National Library and Information System Authority
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian https://www.guardian.co.tt/article-6.2.343354.a1480d355f
https://www.facebook.com/groups/191766699268/posts/10163419292739269
https://www.mychinaroots.com/places/651548/trinidad-and-tobago
https://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/03/22/features/casual-encounters/
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She runs West Indian Diplomacy, a Caribbean blog aimed at promoting West Indian history and business in the global marketplace. Melissa has been an attorney for over 10 years. She currently focuses on trademark registration, trademark searches, and office actions. She also has extensive legal experience in the areas of trademarks, copyrights, contracts, and business formations. She owns her own Trademark Law Firm that is virtually based in Florida.
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