PLANTATION life was described as ‘Dehumanising, Demoralising and Degrading’ by Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Mr. Tota Mangar, at the third lecture  hosted by the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) on Thursday at  Hotel Tower, Main Street.
The topic of the evening was ‘Indentureship system and the resistance in colonial Guyana.’ Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds attended the lecture along with members of the panel, who included Dr. Yesu Persaud and Mr. Petamber Persaud.
Mangar said that after the abolition of slavery in1834, fear and uncertainty plagued the plantation owners as economic distress was looming. As a result, the search for a new labour force was embarked upon. He pointed out that Indentureship had its origin in the ‘Gladstone Experiment.’ John Gladstone, the father of liberal British statesman, William Ewart Gladstone, was the proprietor of two West Demerara Estates, Vreed-en-Hoop and Vreed-en-Stein at precisely the time when the British Guianese planters were beginning to experience an acute labour shortage as a consequence of the mass withdrawal of ex-slaves from plantation labour during this period of ‘crisis, experimentation and change’ in the 1830s.
He added that the very nature of indentureship lent itself to ‘sacrifice and resistance.’ He said “they (labourers) were plagued by famine and poverty, against all odds they struggled for survival through the voyage. They battled diseases, but through it all, lasting friendships were forged by the ‘Jahagis’ or shipmates.”
In general, the indentured labourers were exploited and degraded. An accumulation of events lead to unrest which began in the 1960’s. Protests began emerging in the aftermath of this like those on Plantation Leonora, which was managed by William Russell, estate proprietor and Attorney for several other estates. This was one of the largest functioning estates in the colony.
The clash between management and indentured Indians on this estate occurred on 5 August 1869 but discontent was brewing long before this incident.
This upheaval had a domino effect, others followed in its wake until the end of Indentureship in 1917.
Mangar pointed out also that the indentureship period was a time of intense and prolonged resistance.
Thanking the guest speaker for his input, Dr. Persaud said “it was highly illuminating for all Guyanese wherever they come from.” He further added “the African slaves suffered a lot more since they had no rights and the plantocracy ruled their lives.”
He also said the series of lectures was not held to remind Guyanese of the hardships but to highlight the struggle and the sharing of one common identity.
The fourth and last lecture hosted by GOPIO Guyana and the Indian Commemoration Trust, to celebrate the 172nd anniversary of East Indians’ arrival to Guyana, will be on May 28 at the National Library with a discussion by Mr. Petamber Persaud.
The topic is ‘Literature by Guyanese of Indian Ancestry.’  This will commence at 17:00 hours.