Our Holidays and Festivals

Whether visiting Trinidad and Tobago for the first time or returning home for a visit around any of the 14 national holidays make sure you partake in the local activities.  

JANUARY 1st - New Year's Day Hosay (changes month every year)	FEBRUARY Carnival Monday and Tuesday	MARCH 30th Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day Phagwa Festival
APRIL  Good Friday Easter Monday  (dates to be determined)	MAY 30th Indian Arrival Day	JUNE Corpus Christi 19th Labour Day Eid-Ul-Fitr (date to be determined)
JULY  Tobago Heritage Festival	AUGUST 1st Emancipation Day 31st Independence Day	SEPTEMBER   24th Republic Day
OCTOBER Divali Ramleela  (date to be determined)	NOVEMBER	DECEMBER 25th Christmas Day 26th Boxing Day

 Interspersed among the national holidays are festivals that are nationally recognised but no days/s are given off. Some festivals as the Tobago Festival go throughout the year.

Each holiday or festival is accompanied by our own unique activities and traditions, some of which are quite memorable. For

some Boxing Day is a day for visiting extended family and friends, Divali is for ‘bursting bamboo’, lighting deyas and eating Indian foods and sweetmeats. As a visitor do not be shy, although a lot of the holidays and festivals arose out of religious customs, in our ‘rainbow country’ almost everyone celebrates all the festivals so feel free to participate and enjoy.

What are your holiday traditions?

Nylon Pool

Where in the world can one step out of their boat in the middle of the ocean and into a crystal clear pool about three feet deep? Tobago of course! Indeed this phenomenon is quite unique and everyone should, at least once in their life, experience this natural wonder.

What would this experience cost?

Hmmm…:

            A visit to an island paradise;

            Interacting with some of the friendliest people in the world;

            Relaxation and recreation;

            Warm inviting weather.

The pool is located (http://www.destinationtnt.com/nylon-pool/) just off Pigeon Point, so named by Princess Margaret in 1962 while on her honeymoon. To get to the Pool just hop on any of the tour boats at Store Bay or Pigeon Point and off you go. On to a lifetime experience! See some youtube videos for a peek (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfDHwKIG_qs) , (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_6MkYP15vo)

While in Tobago be sure to visit the largest brain coral in the world located at Speyside and any of

the dive shops in the Sandy Village or Pigeon Point can take you on a dive tour. While touring be sure to ask about the Crusoe Caves (said to be the cave of the Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe) or the rain forest where you will see the most unique types of flora and fauna.

Don’t forget to try the golf courses. Both Mt Irving and The Plantations Golf courses are 18 holes and Mt Irving hosted the 1969 Shell Wide World of Golf tournament and was rated for many years as one of the 5 most difficult courses in the world.

Come to the islands and change your life.

STEELPAN

(From Metal to Microchip)

The Camboulay Riots of 1881 and the Hosay Riots of 1884 were signals to the colonial rulers at the time that Trinidad and Tobago would not quietly accept the stifling of non-European cultural expression. To replace the banned drums of the ‘tamboo bamboo’ (bamboo cut to different lengths to

create sound when struck) was used to create music at Carnival celebrations. It is generally accepted that in the mid-1930s the ‘tamboo bamboo’ began being replaced by metal drums.

“Carnival was banned from 1942-45 since a state of emergency was declared and prevented the congregation of more than 3 persons. The war was drawing to an end in 1945 and the colonial authorities decreed that when the air raid sirens sounded to declare victory on the European front, citizens would be allowed to congregate in celebration.  On VE Day, March 8, 1945, the steelband was presented to the world for the first time.” (ttconnect, 2008-2017)

The Steelpan is accepted as the only musical instrument to be created in the 20^th Century.

The 55gallon steel drums that were generally used after World War II, to make the steelpan became the standard method until approximately 2008 with the introduction of the e-pan.

The steelpan can be played solo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woGvbHQAkik) but is mostly played in a band (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYqAX9vCUrk) with different types of ‘pan’ that can include:

High Tenor D4 - G6

Lower Tenor C4 - E6
Double Tenor F3 - Bb5
Double Second F#3 - C#6
Double Guitar C#3 - G#4
Triple Cello B2 - Bb4
Four Cello Bb2 - C#5
Quadraphonic B2 - Bb-5
Tenor Bass F2 - C4
Six Bass A1 - D3
Nine Bass G1 - C4

The range of sound that can be created from the ‘pan’ makes it suitable to play any type of music, even classical orchestra. It has also been used in music scores for numerous movies e.g. Commando (http://www.ifc.com/2010/05/commando-remake-will-be-nothin)

The introduction of the electronic pan (e-pan), the ‘pan’ has moved from a hammer and a discarded oil drum to hi-tech basically from metal to microchip. So whether you are 'pushing pan' on 'the Coffee in San Do" or if you are in the streets of Japan do not be surprised to hear the sweet sounds of steel.

The ‘pan’ is now being taught and played in countries globally but wherever it goes its place of birth cannot be changed and must not be forgotten, Trinidad and Tobago.

 The National Anthem

Forged from the love of liberty,
In the fires of hope and prayer,
With boundless faith in our destiny
We solemnly declare.
Side by side we stand
Islands of the blue Caribbean Sea,
This our native land
We pledge our lives to thee.
Here every creed and race,
Find an equal place,
And may God bless our nation.
Here every creed and race,
Find an equal place,
And may God bless our nation.

The National Anthem of Trinidad and Tobago. Written by Patrick (Pat) S. Castagne, originally for the West India Federation, but adopted for our independence from Britain as of August 31^st 1962.

This link gives a traditional version of the Anthem (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjFsGc_UFzg) , but it is sung by all in many different versions. For a version in classical and our national instrument see this link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LstT1EmerKA) and a more contemporary musical at (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jamvJbRx0eo) many more can be seen on Youtube.

What really is an “anthem”? Anthems came from uplifting, religious songs, such as the Psalms etc. it is a song of celebration and usually for a distinct group.  

We sing our anthem (especially when abroad) but do we really pay cognisance to the powerful messages that are embodied it words? Is it just a song that the teachers make children sing in school or is it a template for us to live by? Someone please help me to understand so I can believe it when ‘we’ say we are ‘Trini to de Bone’!

The Pitch Lake (The 8^th Wonder of the World)

In the south-western part of the island of Trinidad there is a little village in which lies, what is

oftimes called the 8th Wonder of the World. The village of La Brea, the Spanish term for ‘the tar’ and which should not be confused with the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, is the location of the Pitch Lake. In Trinidad it is most common to pronounce the word ‘la Brea’ as ‘laBray’ as opposed to the Tar Pits which is pronounced ‘la Bray-ah’.

It is the largest such natural lake in the world and spans almost a hundred acres. In 1595 when Sir Walter Raleigh was searching for El Dorado the indigenous people of Trinidad showed him ‘the Lake’ and he was credited for its discovery. This was almost 180 years before the first known records of the ‘Tar Pits’. The Pitch Lake is also an international tourist attraction and has been the subject of numerous scientific studies and research and is known  for its bathing spots since the waters are credited with regenerative

 and restorative properties. GANUFA Youtube video at the following link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e69wMKWSFUM shows a bit of a historical perspective of the Pitch Lake whilst ChocoTrini, Youtube video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uiY6r7BWno gives a more colourful presentation. The tar and asphalt that have been mined from ‘the Lake’ have been used to

pave the first asphalt roads of some main cities of Europe and America. The boundaries of ‘the Lake’ is said to shift and the structures and roads of the village itself is affected by this constant movement. The asphalt of the Lake ‘re-grows’ when it is mined and it is indeed a Wonder of the World.

Trinbago Talk

In 2012 it was reported that Trinibagonians had the sexiest accent in the world (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Trinis_happy_and_have_sexiest_accents__says_CNN-184360761.html). Archbishop Desmond Tutu once described Trinbagonians as a ‘rainbow people’ which seems to be an acknowledgement of our very colourful nature that is reflected in our unique language. Although English is the national language, it is used more so for formal communications, however in the normal informal interaction the local pidgin, which some refer to as ‘Tringlish”, reigns supreme.

So let’s see how many of you really know or remember your ‘Tringlish’?  In your comments see if you can fill in the blanks with the most appropriate Trini word and if you are not from Trinidad and Tobago do not be afraid to try or ask your Trini friends to explain. Be colourful and remember, have fun!

1.    If someone leaves a location or event in an unusual hurry they could be said to ….. ..!

2.    When a person is madly in love with another and is at the stage where they ignore all sensible advice they are said to be ……..!

3.    When someone is sad, moping around or have withdrawn from friends and family due to a broken heart they are said to have a …….!

4.    A stupid person is said to be ......!

5.    What it the term used to describe a person who is easily taken advantage off and sometimes may even be physically beaten? A

…….!

6.    What is a word used to describe someone who behaves as though they are mentally deficient and are quite gullible. A …………!

7.    At the roti shop one would normally order a roti and a … …!

8.    At the doublesman one would ask for a ‘doubles’ or ‘triples’with ….. or …… or …..!

9.    If a man seems to be totally under the control of his woman, it might be said that she fed him ….. …. or if we are referring specifically to Tobago, it may be said that he ate a …….. ……..!

10.                       If a person believes that they ar being spiritually attacked they may go to the ……. for a …. …. or a …..!

Easter in Trinidad and Tobago

The true genesis of Easter customs may have been lost in time but like a lot of Christian rituals, has origins in Pre- Christian religions and relates to the recognition of spring which has long been associated to a season of re-birth. The name Easter came from the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring “Eastre”. Like most of the customs of Trinidad and Tobago Easter came from the influences of former inhabitants especially the British.  

People celebrate Easter according to their religious beliefs but here in the islands almost everyone celebrates every occasion (especially when there is a national holiday involved ) and one may sometimes hear the question jokingly “How can a rabbit have eggs and what does it have to do with Easter?” The Easter Bunny, previously called the Easter Hare, came to be associated since rabbits and hares multiply rapidly and were seen as a spirit of fertility. Romans believed that eggs were ‘a symbol of life’ and Christians considered it to be ‘the seed of life’ thus symbolic of the resurrection.  Children at the time believed that the hares laid eggs in the grass thus the evolution of the Easter egg practices.

Trinidad and Tobago has its own additions that make Easter in the islands unique. It would not be Easter without ‘mad-bulls’, ‘chikeechong’, ‘dinky’ or ‘common’ kites being flown. Some people believe that if an egg is cracked and the egg-white dropped into a glass of water  before

sunrise on Good Friday then the egg will take the shape of a church. ‘Bobolees’ effigies, similar to the Guy Fawkes effigy, are created from old clothing and traditionally stuffed with dried banana leaves or dried grass. Good Friday is always a favourite day because it is the day for beating the ‘Bobolee’ or Judas which are sometimes given names of whoever the villages or communities ‘have off’ at the time. Easter bonnet shows are still hosted, especially for children. The Easter parades are reminiscent of ladies dressing up for church services and then promenading about to show off their gaudy outfits. Hot cross buns are still an Easter staple and are not reserved for Easter Sunday alone.

Horse Racing has always been a part of Easter in the islands with races at Queen’s Park

Savannah, Union Park and Santa Rosa racetracks but now occurs only at Santa Rosa. Tobago has adopted its own unique races as a response to the horse racing in Trinidad. Goat and crab racing are uniquely Tobagonian and is better attended than the horse races. Goats are specially trained for competition and serious betting takes place. Crab racing is not as serious and the crabs more likely than not ends up in a pot after the races.