Sarnami Hindustani is a language that has evolved due to indentured labourers from India migrating to Suriname. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the Caribbean islands were home to many indentured labourers, many of whom were of Indian origin. As the labourers settled into the country, they adopted their own way of speaking, culture, language, and tradition. This intermingling of Indian and Caribbean culture in Suriname came to be known as Sarnami Hindustani. This blog explores the progress of the language, culture and its people.
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Historical Contexts of Caribbean Hindustani
The history of Caribbean Hindustani began with the arrival of Indian indentured workers in the late 19th century and early 20th century. After slavery had been abolished, the British government sought to find labourers for their croplands in the Caribbean. To do this, many British, Dutch and French colonies exported Indian workers to Caribbean countries. This included nations such as Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica. The labourers were primarily from parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The initial population brought with them Bhojpuri, Awadhi, and other Bihari languages, along with elements of Hindi-Urdu.
Together, these languages collectively blended to form what became known as Caribbean Hindustani. In Suriname, this linguistic blend adapted to new surroundings and influences, giving rise to the "Gaon ke Bolee" language, which slowly became the 3rd most spoken in the country. The Caribbean Hindustani language also slowly became popular in other British colonies, and many variants arose. This included Trinidadian Hindustani, Sarnami Hindi, Trinidadian Bhojpuri, Tobagonian English, Berbician Hindustani, Guyanese Hindustani, Guyanese English and many others.
Sarnami Hindustani
Sarnami Hindustani, also known as Suriname Hindustani or Surinamese Hindustani, primarily stems from the mixing of cultures between the two lands. Workers, usually of Hindustani origin, settled in Suriname and began interacting with the local language and culture. Indian languages such as Bhojpuri and Hindi began intermingling with the Dutch language and even Sranan Tongo, a Creole language. Since Suriname was primarily a Dutch colony, many Indian speakers took up the Dutch pronunciation of certain words and phrases, which led to the formation of Surinamese Hindustani.
The language is primarily composed of Indo-Aryan languages and other Eastern Hindi languages such as Magahi and Dutch. The language also has inspirations from English and some Dravidian languages. The language inspired many descendants of the initial indentured labourers and has remained relevant in spheres of classical music, Indian folk music such as "Baithak Gana", and other forms of art such as Chutney music.
Modern World and Preservation
In modern times, many languages that came up as a result of the intermingling of cultures have seen a decline. As many descendants of the initial migrants have been assimilated entirely into the culture, there has also been a loss of these languages. Some have even migrated out of the country to look for better lives. Many Caribbean Hindustani languages, such as Trinidad Bhojpuri, Sarnami Hindustani, Guyanese Hindustani and other heritage languages, have declined. While the Dutch government in Suriname did not like the usage of Surinamese Hindustani among workers, it gained wide popularity after the independence of the country.
For many 3rd and 4th generation Indians on the island nations, these languages served as a tie between their culture and themselves. For them, the intermingling of the languages that resulted in Sarnami Hindustani was of utmost importance, as it provided a grounding and connection with their motherland. While the popularity of English and Creole languages, such as the Guyanese English Creole, has led to a dwindling in some other Caribbean Hindi languages, there have been recent efforts to ensure these languages don't go extinct. Organizations like Caribbean Hindustani Inc. and other academic initiatives by scholars are actively working to document and promote Sarnami Hindustani. These endeavours highlight the spirit of the Surinamese-Hindustani population.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, Sarnami Hindustani reflects the resilience and adaptation of Indo-Caribbean culture that blends Indian, Caribbean, and European influences. The language is key in preserving ancestral languages while also embracing new cultural shifts. Though these languages face decline, community efforts and scholarly initiatives are working to document and revitalize them. Caribbean Hindustani stands as a testament to cultural fusion and the enduring spirit of the Indo-Caribbean diaspora.
