Hosay in Trinidad
@imusic
Cool. When I was about 5 or 6 y.o., which would make the year ≈ 1956-57, my mother took me to see a Hosay in Savanna-la-mar. I can recall being scared of some of the animals and heads costumed. I don't believe that celebration is kept up in JA anymore.
--Æ.
@JayMor
There was hosay or as we used to say hooseh in Alley, Vere, Clarendon. Lots of Indians in that part of JA. Was held in August/September if I remember. Don't know if it's still around.
@JayMor
Hosay, derived from the name Husayn, is a religious ceremony observed by Shi’a Muslims. Husayn and Hassan were assassinated by Yazid in the Battle of Karbala, 680 AD. This Battle of Karbala is commemorated throughout the world during a ten-day period held every Muharram (called the Mourning of Muharram), and it culminates on the tenth day known as the Day of Ashura. In the Caribbean, mainly Trinidad and Tobago, the Day of Ashura is commemorated as Hosay. The events are observed by fasting and prayer, construction of "tadjahs," and processions.
The first noted celebration of Hosay was in 1847 in San Fernando, South Trinidad, and there is evidence of Hosay celebrations in Chaguanas and St. James from as far back as 1865. The ten-day period begins with six days of fasting, prayer meetings, and work on the construction and decorations of tadjahs. Tadjahs are decorated models of mosques and are said to be replicas of Hussein’s and Hassan’s tombs. The tadjahs are expertly crafted from bamboo, multicoloured paper, tinsel, and glass, and some can be up to ten to fifteen feet tall.
Hosay 2025 in St. James Trinidad - Night Hosay
Those drums get body parts moving...😎
