Ten Days of Muharram: The Cedros Hosay

The quiet fishing village of Cedros in south-west Trinidad came to life in Ten Days of Muharram, which unveils events of one of T&T's most eventful and cultural festivals - Hosay (Muharram).   The event commemorates the martyrdom of Hassan and Hussain (Hussein), grandsons of Prophet Muhammed.  Hosay is a popular celebration among minority Shiite Muslims and is celebrated globally.  The Hosay festival is celebrated during Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calender.  Participants are organised into five camps and each group is responsible for constructing miniature temples (tadjahs) to depict the tombs of Muhammed's two grandsons.  On the first day of Muharram, Muslims begin prayers at the Chawk (a holy place for prayers).  the miniature tadjahs (small hosays or pitti bongie) were paraded through the streets of Cedros accompanied by tassa drummers.

A close-up view of a tadjah during Hosay in Cedros

Tadjah pulled along the Cedros Main Road

Making it's way through the streets of Cedros

Hosay has a history.  It originated in the estates of Cedros that were run by the French creole.  Petit bondieu is a French term which means small Hosay.  What you would also find too is a lot of the other cultures and religion is an integral part of the process.  The celebration of the Hosay in Cedros has taken on all types of nuances and resonances from other religions including Roman Catholic, Hindu, Baptist, creating a product which is uniquely Trinidad.  Our Hosay in Cedros you will never find anywhere else in the world in terms of the way they construct their tadjahs.  There was the participation of the stickfighters which is a dying art form but is also a rich part of that culture.

Hosay about to drown

Spectators lined the streets to get a glimpse of the beautifully decorated tadjahs.  It is also said that there are different events in the lead up to the final night.  One of which is called the 'flag night' where members walk through the streets with flags.  The final thing is to disperse of the hosays in the sea. 

Dispersing the Hosay in the sea

Hosay going down