“What Can Indian Look Like? Can It Look Caribbean?” Unpacking the Indo-Caribbean experience

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Imagine a scene where a performer, standing under the soft glow of stage lights, takes a deep breath and addresses the audience with a heartfelt message. In this particular scene, she holds a piece of paper, visibly touched, as she begins to read aloud a love letter dedicated to her family. The performer expresses her gratitude for their unwavering support and unconditional love.

With each word, her voice carries a blend of emotion and sincerity, resonating with everyone present. She recounts moments of struggle and triumph, emphasizing how her family’s acceptance has been her foundation. The letter speaks of the joy of being understood and the strength derived from knowing that her family embraces her true self.

As she continues, tears glisten in her eyes, mirroring the emotional impact of her words. The audience is captivated, feeling the depth of her appreciation. She thanks her parents for their encouragement, her siblings for their camaraderie, and extends her gratitude to the extended family for their inclusiveness…

The performer: Shaharah Gaznabbi, a 21-year-old, budding, Guyanese actor, and comedian working in Toronto. You might recognize Shaharah form Season 3 of CBC/CBCGem’s “Run the Burbs,” and have been included in Toronto Life’s Kickstarters in 2023. Shahara presented the Solo-Show “What Can Indian Look Like? Can It Look Caribbean?” at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2023 (the largest international performing arts festival), which was positively reviewed by The Scotsman, and is on the list of official Award Winners at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Shaharah also most recently won the Neurodiverse Review’s Birds of Paradise Theatre Emerging Talent Award.

We were invited to a community event hosted by the Halton Region Equity Diversity Roundtable, who work to build, and educate communities about different cultures. This particularly event was about combating anti-Asian racism, especially within diasporic identities, and also focused on Guyanese voices (and more specifically queer Guyanese voices).

So here I was on Tuesday May 14^th, 2024, at the Halton Hills Cultural Centre and John Elliott Theatre located at 9 Church St, Georgetown, ON L7G 2A3, Canada.

Once I had filled my plate with some authentic Guyanese cuisine (some of which I had to snapshot and send to our CEO Trish Browning), I made my way into the theatre accompanied by Shanelle Gaznabbi, who happens to be Shahara’s sister. She was a bravestar, as she was only days away from her delivery, but still made it out to support Shaharah.

The performance was an extraordinary display of authenticity and emotional depth, leaving no stone unturned in its powerful exploration of Indo-Caribbean trauma—a topic often shrouded in silence. Shaharah bravely and meticulously unpacked a myriad of deeply personal and familial experiences, revealing layers of vulnerability that resonated profoundly with the audience. The homage to her family was both heartfelt and respectful, serving as a poignant tribute to their shared history and struggles.

Through candid storytelling, Shaharah shed light on the complex and often painful realities faced by Indo-Caribbean families, presenting them with a rawness and honesty that was both moving and enlightening. The performance was not just a personal catharsis, but also a significant cultural commentary, providing a voice to stories seldom heard and fostering a deeper understanding and empathy within the community. The depth of vulnerability and the strength of the narrative created a compelling piece that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on all who experienced it.

I had a chance to speak with Shaharah before the performance, and she broke down the importance of her work, and some of the challenges she has had to face.

“What is the line between arts and advocacy?” Shaharah asked me. “It can become political quickly when I say that I am a Queer-Guyanese actor, and comedian. I have a responsibility; I have the ability to talk about my life, my perspectives. It is a way to speak my truth. I struggled and grappled with this for a long time, and then I found a way to fine my voice.”

“I had to come to terms with colonialism, and what happened to my people. I feel pride about where I am from, but when learning how we got there. Well, Simone. You understand. There is a lot of trauma there, topics that need to be unearthed.”

The Indo-Caribbeans, primarily brought to places like Guyana as indentured labourers by the British, endured immense hardships and atrocities during their servitude. That word servitude. It sounds beautiful, but it really just means slavery. These labourers were often deceived by false promises of prosperity and better living conditions, only to find themselves trapped in a brutal system that was akin to slavery. They faced gruelling working conditions on sugar plantations, long hours of back-breaking labour, insufficient food, and inadequate housing.

Punitive measures for minor infractions were severe, including physical punishment and extended contracts, further entrenching their suffering. The cultural and familial disruptions were profound, as they were uprooted from their homeland and subjected to a foreign and hostile environment. This period marked a dark chapter of exploitation and human rights abuses, leaving a lasting impact on the Indo-Caribbean community.

Shaharah did a wonderful job sharing that part of her transgenerational trauma on stage. What was most impactful was the fact that despite what her family, and her people had been through, she had found love; love from the people who understood her pain the most.

“My favouite part of the show is that it is a love letter to my family. It is a story steeped in love. I bring the audience in and engage them, allow them to see my family the way that I see them,” Shaharah shared.

During her love letter to her family, Shaharah made sure to recognize her sister Shanelle making eye contact with her in the audience. With a voice full of warmth and love, Shaharah expressed how her family’s acceptance had empowered her to pursue her dreams fearlessly. The audience erupted in applause, moved by the touching tribute, and Shanelle, filled with pride, responded with smiles and heartfelt cheers.

This poignant moment on stage not only highlighted the Shaharah’s gratitude, but also underscored the powerful bond of family love and acceptance.