In early May I came across a post on social media advertising Indian Heritage Workshops at the Indian Caribbean Museum of Trinidad & Tobago. The museum had recently reopened following its closure during the Covid-19 pandemic. Workshops were scheduled both to celebrate Indian Heritage Month (observed in May) and to make people more aware that the museum had reopened.

Having visited many, many years ago I was excited to visit again and to take part in the workshops as much as my schedule allowed. I shared the flyer with my family and then encouraged people to attend with me.

• In early June my dad, my partner, and I learnt about chai and butter making.

• In late June into early July, my dad and I learnt about madhubani painting.

• In late August my dad, his partner, my partner, and I learnt about toran making. 

At each workshop our tutor went into the history of each activity, the importance to Indo-Trini culture, and how we can use the tools and activities of our past to shape and connect to our future. 

I have heard many people say that our youth are not as connected as they once were to family, to culture, to self. I was a little bit sad that most of the attendees were older people - perhaps that speaks to the fact that younger generations are not as interested in learning these things. I feel that it is important in this present age to make the time away from online spaces, to connect in person, to observe how our traditions and culture can support our everyday lives. It is important for us to share with both those older than us and younger than us. There is value in multi-generational learning and interaction.

I am thankful to have been able to attend these workshops with my parent. Since my mom's passing our relationship has changed, mostly for the better. Perhaps we both have mellowed as we age, perhaps we are each maturing in our own ways. I know that there will come a time when one or the other of us will no longer be with the other in this space and so I am grateful to be able to spend this time with him. I am always impressed by his creativity and technical skills and know that some of my ability to create, plan, and put together things comes from him.

I am thankful for the work that the museum is doing and look forward to attending events and workshops with them in future.  Workshops like these three that I have participated in help to provide that grounding, to bring persons together in community.

Please visit the Museum, see the exhibit and collections, and participate in the events they facilitate.

Peace,