RADHICA DE SILVA
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Amidst the undulating former sugarcane fields in south Trinidad lies an ethnically diverse but united community known as Ragoo Village. Named after T&T's notorious governor Sir Thomas Picton, the village, nestled in the Picton Estate, has seen its share of challenges. In the old days, it was known as the scorpion village because of the numbers of poisonous pests which inhabited the area.
The Picton Presbyterian School which hovers on a hill along Papourie Road was also known as the scorpion school in the days when sugarcane trucks (taskers) ran through the lush village. The Hangman River, named after one of its residents committed suicide decades ago, is no longer used for fishing by residents, although one family still uses it for irrigation.
The closest community to the University of the West Indies Penal/Debe campus, Ragoo Village now faces an invasion from criminals, but residents said their unity has helped them to cope.
Sharon Eckstein, popularly known as Jango, said her great-aunt Norma La Foucade, who died two years ago, contributed greatly to the unity of the community. An ageless French Creole beauty with a quick wit and a sharp tongue, La Foucade delivered babies from village mothers for almost three decades at a time when cars were few and far between. Back in the 1970s and 80s, getting to the San Fernando General Hospital through the bumpy, dark Papourie Road was considered a risk so La Foucade took matters into her own hands.
"Many of us who are walking around now were delivered by Tanty Norm," Eckstein said. To show her love for the children, Eckstein said every Christmas, La Foucade would visit her village family carrying her famous Black cake, Ponche-de-Creme, and fudge. On Divali and Eid, La Foucade's village "children" would share parsad, sawine, and cake with her and her biological family most of whom were Afro-Trinidadians.
Eckstein said Carnival was also a time for unity. Best friends Arnold Collins, aka Duffy and Seelal Chankar, aka Funky, both deceased, would bring Ole Mas joy to the villagers, inadvertently creating a melting pot between Afro and Indo Trinidad families. "Once Duffy created a donkey and he and Seelal went from house to house creating ole mas. People looked forward to seeing them on Carnival Monday. Pay the Devil jab jab was what the children enjoyed," Eckstein said.
Another villager Maureen Collins has also put Ragoo Village on the map because of the number of times she won the Prime Minister's Best Village competition. Being of Afro-Trinidadian origin, it was not uncommon to see Collins putting up Hindu flags and singing bhajans and other East Indian songs. Her sweet plums, cherries, and toolums once sold at the Picton Presbyterian School was considered a village treasure.
Businessman Paul Rampersad, who operates Paul's Supermarket, said the village has weathered many storms, the worst of which is the recent invasion of criminals from outside. Rampersad said he has suffered four robberies in two years. The kidnapping of villager Ria Sookdeo two years ago has also cast a shadow on the community and Rampersad said frequent crime has caused them to close their doors earlier than usual to avoid being the target of criminals. Rampersad said brotherly love has helped many to deal with the challenges.
The Legend of Dumfries Baba part of the village's folklore
During the recession of the 1980s, Rampersad said he offered goods on credit to villagers so they could afford to feed their families.
"I opened my business in 1984 and on a Friday when Caroni workers got paid they would buy bulk items and we will deliver free of charge to villagers," Rampersad recalled. "We used to sell 325 bags of 25-pound flour for the fortnight and 19 bags of 100-pound flour," he added.
The standpipe located close to Paul's shop was considered a "therapeutic meeting place" for many who came to fill water. So too was the home of Helen Rampersad, a hairdresser who facilitated her village clients no matter the time or day. She has since migrated.
The village also has its own set of superstitious beliefs. Chanardaye Nanan, 74, one of the elders of the community said the Legend of Dumfries Baba, an estate overseer who lived during the days of Indentureship, is part of Ragoo Village's folklore. Dumfries Baba could have been William Boyes Esquire who died on August 13, 1870, at Dumfries Estate, South Naparima, Western Ward, of marsh fever (dengue). He was 29 years old and formerly of Dumfriesshire, Scotland, who was seen as a benevolent protector of the village. Nanan said in the old days, people used to go to Dumfries Baba's grave and clean it.
"When they go back the other morning, they used to find money by the grave. Dumfries Baba used to ride a white horse and many people, most of whom have now died, used to see him riding around the village," Nanan said.
Her daughter Geeta Lyons said the village has produced many academics so it was fitting for the University of the West indies Penal/Debe campus to be constructed on the hilltop overlooking the village. She said although there has been an increase in crime, villagers have continued to rally around each other.
Rita Chankar said apart from racial diversity, Ragoo Village also has religious unity. "In this community, you can find a Hindu, Christian, and Muslim all living in the same house." She was referring to the village Justice of the Peace Nazir Allarakoo and his sons Haroun and Haji. For decades Haroun held a Sunday School for the village children and around Christmas time, the villagers were treated to a skit and a re-enactment of the Nativity Scene. Preparation for this started as early as October. Haji operated a karate class to help keep villagers in shape while their father ensured that all legal documentation for villagers were done up to mark.
Rennie Sieunarine, known as one of the best mechanics in the area, has also brought popularity to the village, while Bisundaye Sookraj, who operates Linda's Agro Shop, is known for her generosity. "Anything we have here, we share with one another. We are like one big family," Sookraj said.
While many communities across T&T have splintered on the basis of economic pressure and racism, Ragoo Village residents said they have successfully used economic recession and diversity to build unity and weather their challenges.