Indo-Vincentian

Indo-Vincentians are an ethnic group in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines who are mainly descendants of indentured laborers from India. There are about 5,900 people of Indian origin living in the country.

Migration History

Indian migration to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines began with the termination of slavery in St. Vincent on August 1, 1838. There was a shortage of labour as the resident workers refused to work on the estates. The British had taken over the governance of India and the offer of contract work in St. Vincent was made to Indian laborers. Many Indians took up the offer as the economic conditions in India at that time were very bad. Famines in India in the 1870s also impacted on Indian emigration.

The first immigrants arrived on June 1, 1861. A ship with 260 Indians landed on the Western end of the Kingstown harbour, Edinboro. They had traveled for about 94 days from Madras (present day Chennai), India to St. Vincent. Seven more ships departed from Calcutta (present day Kolkata) with Indians who originated from the Northern provinces of India. The migration of Indians to St. Vincent lasted for about 20 years from 1861 to 1880.