CULTURE Minister Joan Yuille-Williams sees the opening of the Indian Caribbean Museum at the Waterloo Hindu School as a direct celebration of the arrival of East Indians to this country.

Speaking at the opening of the museum at Carapichaima last Sunday, Yuille-Williams told the gathering that the museum would provide an invaluable source of learning for people of all ages, of the richness and value of Indian heritage.

The minister gave her assurance of continued support and partnership of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs.

Anthropologist Dr. Kumar Mahabir said the museum’s largest collection was obtained by administrators of the institution.

Most of the items were acquired as gifts, bequests and loans by interested individuals, families, priests, historians, scholars and collectors of the island community.

The collection include old items such as rare musical instruments, agricultural objects, cooking utensils, pieces of clothing, ancient photographs and historical books.

Some objects of historical and aesthetic value include a sapat (wooden slipper), jata (grinding stone), boli (gourd bowl), hassawa (grass knife) and aluminium scoop.

Secretary General of the Maha Sabha SAT
MAHARAJ (third from left) speaks with
Culture Minister JOAN YUILLE-WILLIAMS
during the ceremony.

The sapat -- wooden slippers worn by indentured
labourer s who migrated to the Caribbean from
1838 to 1917.

Dhekhi was used for pounding cocoa and coffee
beans as well as corn and rice.