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Since the Orisha has been mentioned in this thread. is anyone familiar with any groups who combine Orisha and Hindu Dieites (besides the The Kali-Mai sect)?
http://www.naturetrektt.com/TT/Religion/tabid/627/Default.aspx
Religion of Trinidad and Tobago
INDIAN RELIGIONS.
Brought to Trinidad by indentured Indian workers in the 19th century, “Hinduism” represents T&T’s largest religious denomination after Catholicism. The “Muslim” religious practice has changed a bit since arriving in Trinidad and Tobago, save for the festival of “Hosay”, which has grown from a rather somber affair to a Carnivalesque party in which people of all denominations take part- much to the consternation of the “Shiite” faithful, who feel that the drinking and revelry depreciates the religion’s solemn origins.
HINDUISM IN TRINIDAD.
Centered upon the worship of multiple deities rather than a single god, the central tenets of Hinduism include “dharma”, the laws of duty and order in the universe and society, which one’s position in life is determined by the external cause-and -effect repercussions of “karma”. Though the indentured workers all worshipped under the banner of Hinduism, their wide-ranging geographical and social origins reflected the huge differences in religious practice and status in India, and as they settled into their new life in Trinidad, they created a hybrid Hinduism that’s unique to the island.
One of the main differences between Hinduism in Trinidad and in India is the lack of a “caste system” in T&T. The strong friendships forged during the passage-which gave rise to the term “jihaji bhai” (ship brother)- transcended differences in social status, and many new found friends chose to settle together and work the same plantations. Slowly, the caste system was eroded; only the priestly Brahman caste, whose “pundits” officiate at religious rites has survived in Trinidad.
Rituals have also been modified. Whereas in India, prayers for blessing- called “pujas”- are lengthy processes, each with a specific meaning and directed toward a particular deity. In Trinidad, several pujas are often combined with several deities involved. Everyone who takes part must be ceremonially cleansed and the list of articles necessary for a puja is long: oils, herbs, spices, ghee, incense, flowers, pictures (murtis) of the deity to be honored, a a bamboo flag pole and a “jhandi” (prayer flag) of the deity’s assigned colour. Once the pundit arrives, he arranges the items and utters mantras that invoke the deity. The pole is then anointed and the flag is raised, and all those present are considered blessed.
Daily Hindu rites in T&T include lighting deyas, reciting mantras, and throwing “jal” (water); the latter is done by a designated child, who rises in the morning before the rest of the household and pours petal-laden water from a brass lotah near to a tulsi bush- a strain of basil that’s planted in most Hindu gardens. Other Indian traditions that have acquired a Trini slant are the celebrations that now accompany the Phagwa, and Diwali festivities.
SOME HINDU DEITIES.
Shiva: The god of creation and destruction. All powerful Shiva (alongside Vishnu) rides his faithful bull “Nandi”, and is often depicted with several faces, each with a third eye in the middle of the forehead, and his hair wreathed with snakes.
Vishnu: Blue-skinned, four armed Vishnu holds a conch, discus, lotus, and mace, and is often depicted in the coils of a large snake. He has manifested himself on earth nine times; his tenth visit as Kalki will bring deliverance to the pure and destruction to the wicked.
Durga: This fierce female goddess is Shiva’s consort. She wears a garland of skulls about her neck, blood drips from her mouth, and in her ten arms she holds various weapons and the head of a demon.
Ganesh: Red-skinned Ganesh, the elephant god, sits chubby and benign astride a lotus or throne, holding a water lily, conch, discus and a club or bowl of sweets. The deity of learning and literature, he is the author of the 10,000 stanza philosophical poem, the Mahabharata.
Lakshmi: The goddess of light and prosperity. Lakshmi is associated with Diwali festivities. She sits on a lotus flower and embodies beauty, charm, and grace. Her form varies depending on the incarnation of her consort Vishnu.
Saraswati: Taking her name from a sacred Indian river, the goddess of purification, fertility, music and eloquence sits on a water lily or peacock and plays a sitar or lute. She is also the inventor of writing.
Hunuman: Depicted as a large monkey bearing a mace. Hanuman is a demon-fighter, the god of acrobats and wrestlers, and the inventor of Sanskrit grammar.
http://www.naturetrektt.com/TT/Religion/tabid/627/Default.aspx
Religion of Trinidad and Tobago
INDIAN RELIGIONS.
Brought to Trinidad by indentured Indian workers in the 19th century, “Hinduism” represents T&T’s largest religious denomination after Catholicism. The “Muslim” religious practice has changed a bit since arriving in Trinidad and Tobago, save for the festival of “Hosay”, which has grown from a rather somber affair to a Carnivalesque party in which people of all denominations take part- much to the consternation of the “Shiite” faithful, who feel that the drinking and revelry depreciates the religion’s solemn origins.
HINDUISM IN TRINIDAD.
Centered upon the worship of multiple deities rather than a single god, the central tenets of Hinduism include “dharma”, the laws of duty and order in the universe and society, which one’s position in life is determined by the external cause-and -effect repercussions of “karma”. Though the indentured workers all worshipped under the banner of Hinduism, their wide-ranging geographical and social origins reflected the huge differences in religious practice and status in India, and as they settled into their new life in Trinidad, they created a hybrid Hinduism that’s unique to the island.
One of the main differences between Hinduism in Trinidad and in India is the lack of a “caste system” in T&T. The strong friendships forged during the passage-which gave rise to the term “jihaji bhai” (ship brother)- transcended differences in social status, and many new found friends chose to settle together and work the same plantations. Slowly, the caste system was eroded; only the priestly Brahman caste, whose “pundits” officiate at religious rites has survived in Trinidad.
Rituals have also been modified. Whereas in India, prayers for blessing- called “pujas”- are lengthy processes, each with a specific meaning and directed toward a particular deity. In Trinidad, several pujas are often combined with several deities involved. Everyone who takes part must be ceremonially cleansed and the list of articles necessary for a puja is long: oils, herbs, spices, ghee, incense, flowers, pictures (murtis) of the deity to be honored, a a bamboo flag pole and a “jhandi” (prayer flag) of the deity’s assigned colour. Once the pundit arrives, he arranges the items and utters mantras that invoke the deity. The pole is then anointed and the flag is raised, and all those present are considered blessed.
Daily Hindu rites in T&T include lighting deyas, reciting mantras, and throwing “jal” (water); the latter is done by a designated child, who rises in the morning before the rest of the household and pours petal-laden water from a brass lotah near to a tulsi bush- a strain of basil that’s planted in most Hindu gardens. Other Indian traditions that have acquired a Trini slant are the celebrations that now accompany the Phagwa, and Diwali festivities.
SOME HINDU DEITIES.
Shiva: The god of creation and destruction. All powerful Shiva (alongside Vishnu) rides his faithful bull “Nandi”, and is often depicted with several faces, each with a third eye in the middle of the forehead, and his hair wreathed with snakes.
Vishnu: Blue-skinned, four armed Vishnu holds a conch, discus, lotus, and mace, and is often depicted in the coils of a large snake. He has manifested himself on earth nine times; his tenth visit as Kalki will bring deliverance to the pure and destruction to the wicked.
Durga: This fierce female goddess is Shiva’s consort. She wears a garland of skulls about her neck, blood drips from her mouth, and in her ten arms she holds various weapons and the head of a demon.
Ganesh: Red-skinned Ganesh, the elephant god, sits chubby and benign astride a lotus or throne, holding a water lily, conch, discus and a club or bowl of sweets. The deity of learning and literature, he is the author of the 10,000 stanza philosophical poem, the Mahabharata.
Lakshmi: The goddess of light and prosperity. Lakshmi is associated with Diwali festivities. She sits on a lotus flower and embodies beauty, charm, and grace. Her form varies depending on the incarnation of her consort Vishnu.
Saraswati: Taking her name from a sacred Indian river, the goddess of purification, fertility, music and eloquence sits on a water lily or peacock and plays a sitar or lute. She is also the inventor of writing.
Hunuman: Depicted as a large monkey bearing a mace. Hanuman is a demon-fighter, the god of acrobats and wrestlers, and the inventor of Sanskrit grammar.
