MAJESTIC Pelau HOSAY

Group members

CONTENTS❖ Introduction ❖ History of HOSAY ❖ The Holy War ( pic) ❖ List of events ❖ Types of celebrations (pic) ❖ Celebrations in St James (pic) ❖ Music, art and Dance ❖ Appendix

Introduction! Hosay’s history was not always viewed as a

celebration, like it is now viewed in Trinidad and Tobago. In fact, the country of its birth Iraq, still carries on the religious aspects in commemoration of the great lost of the Shia Muslims. The two brothers, grandsons of the late Prophet Mohammed, Hassan and Hosein (Husayn) were killed along with members of their family and companions.

History of Hosay! Hosay began after the killing of Hassan and Hosein

grandson of the late Prophet Mohammed. After the assassination of Ali Bin Abi an agreement was made between Hassan and Muawijah, this agreement was to prevent war and in the interest of peace. Hassan handed over power to Muawijah. Muawijah then decided to give the power to his son Yazid. By doing this, he breached the agreement causing uprising among the Muslims as Hassan was the last Imam for the Shia to be Caliph. In extension to this, Hosein, his family and companions were ambushed and killed because he would not pledge alliance to Yazid.

History continues! Hassan and Hosien were killed during the Jahid

( Holy War) at Karbala in Iraq. It took place on the month of Ashura

History Continued…! After their deaths the religious ceremony began

throughout the Shiites Muslims Society. This ceremony is celebrated around the world on the tenth (10th) day in the month of Muharram after the appearance of the new moon. It began in 680A.D.

! Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and is marked for fasting and prayer.

! It begins in the first half of the year between March to June after 40 days.

List of events in Trinidad

1st Day of Muharram PrayersAs the construction of the tadjahs continues, prayer meetings are held at each Hosay site (yard).

7th Day of Muharram Flag Night

This is the first night of processions on the streets and representatives from each Hosay yard parade with flags and drums.

8th Day of Muharram Little Hosay Night

This is the second night of processions when small replicas of the two tombs (hosays) of Hussain and Hassan are paraded on the streets with the beating of drums.

9th Day of Muharram Big Hosay Night

The tadjahs are brought into public view for the first time, together with standards in the shape of half-moons, and are paraded on the streets with the beating of drums.

10th Kerbala Day This is the final parade day.

13th Teejah Day The tadjahs are taken to the sea in Cocorite and broken up.

Types of CelebrationReenactments of the war at Kerbela

Pray and Reflection

Celebrations in St James

Music, Art and Dance

The cultural aspect of Hosay has always displayed creativity throughout the world with the reenactment of the Holy war to the construction of the Tadjahs and the music created for the procession. In Trinidad Tassa drums were made with goat

skin in the past and in recent times synthetic materials are used. Tadjahs are made marvelous in colors and design.

Appendix! Internet ( pictures) Pariag, Florence. East Indians in the

Caribbean: An Illustrated History. Kingston, Jamaica :     Arawak, 2004 Print. 

! Korom ,Frank J.  Hosay Trinidad:Muharram Performances in an Indo-Caribbean Diaspora . UK :Wiley-Blackwell , 2013 Print. 

! TriniView.com Reporters. “Hosay in St. James.” TriniView.com 04  February 2007: Web. 29th September 2014. 

! Trinidad and Tobago National Library and Information System Authoriy  : “Hosay in Trinidad.”: Web. 26th September 2014

Appendix! Internet Nalis Library ! Internet ( pictures) ! Internet Nalis Library