A hustle that became a calling: Khalid ‘Monan’ Ghany and the art of honouring the departed

WHAT began as a simple hustle for a 17-year-old boy in San Fernando has grown into a lifelong vocation. For the past 43 years, Khalid “Monan” Ghany has dedicated himself to cleaning and decorating gravesites at Paradise Cemetery, San Fernando, bringing solace and pride to families who wish to honour their loved ones during the sacred days of All Saints and All Souls.

Each year, as November approaches, Trinidad and Tobago’s Roman Catholic community prepares to observe All Saints’ Day on November 1, a time to remember the saints and martyrs, and All Souls’ Day on November 2, to commemorate all who have died in the faith. Across the country, it’s a cherished custom to clean family graves, apply a fresh coat of paint, and adorn tombs with flowers and candles.

It’s within this cultural rhythm that Monan and others like him found their niche. “We come to paint and clean the graves. This here what we do is a hustle – we come to look for a little money,” Monan said with a humble grin.