Belizean Sindhis celebrate New Year

They number about six hundred in Belize and are a formidable force in the local business community. Today the men and women of the Sindhi Indian community are celebrating their new year. At ceremonies which started late this evening at the home of Vinod Bhojwani, the Belize Sindhis offered prayers and sacrifices to the God of Sea, seeking protection from hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Vinod Bhojwani, Event Coordinator

“This year we wanted the procession, and Belize people should know what is the Hindu New Year. Actually, it is a Sindhi New Year.”

Patrick Jones

“How does the Sindhi New Year differ from the other new years?”

Vinod Bhojwani

“In India we have our Hindu New Year, we have our Eed for Muslims, we have different people you see, like south Indian, the northern part of India, everybody have their own celebrations. The majority of Indians living in Belize, which is about ninety-eight percent, are Sindhis.”

Following ceremonies at the Hindu Temple on Albert Street, the procession went to the Southern Foreshore where various gifts were tossed out to sea. While the Sindhi Indian procession was going down Regent Street to the Hindu Temple, twenty-five cent coins were tossed to onlookers. According to Bhojwani, anyone who picked up one of the special shillings will have good luck for the next year.