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Festive
Islands: Trinidad and Tobago
by Paris Permenter & John Bigley
Few
opportunities present travelers the chance to take part in the "real
Caribbean" like a local festival -- and few places on earth offer as many
types of festivals as do Trinidad and Tobago. With a diverse population that
traces its roots back to India, Africa, China, and the Middle East, these
islands present a myriad of opportunities to celebrate. "I don't
know if there is any destination in such a small place where you could find
such diversity," says Dr. Carla Noel, Vice President/Director of Tourism
for the Tourism and Industrial Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago
(TIDCO). Within the 1,864 square miles of Trinidad and the 116 square miles of
Tobago, Christian churches, Hindu temples, and Muslim mosques stand side by
side, each contributing to the joyous festivals found throughout the calendar
year. Whatever you
like -- sports, local cuisine, arts and crafts, dance, music, or just plain
partying -- Trinidad and Tobago can deliver. Most special events welcome
vacationers, and many allow visitors to participate in the sports competitions,
partake of local foods, shop for local artwork, and be part of the action
behind the scenes. Many festivals are scheduled for off-peak months and are
especially attractive for budget travelers. TIME FOR AN
OLD-TIME WEDDING!
The ceremony
takes place within the walls of a historic church to a standing-room-only
crowd. Even those visitors who can't see the bride and groom need not worry:
the action continues outside as well. A grand party follows, and visitors
"chip" or shuffle dance down the street, later joining in traditional
dances such as the reel and jig or the quadrille. And, of course, the event
wouldn't be complete without a taste of the wedding cake and, in this case, the
island's special delicacy: curried crab and dumplings. The Old-Time
Wedding is part of the annual Tobago Heritage Festival, scheduled for the
second half of July. The festival is held at villages throughout the island
with dances, dining, drama, and more. HINDU AND MUSLIM
TRADITIONS
In Trinidad,
special occasions reflect a rich cultural heritage. Hosay, a mourning festival
for Hussein and Hassan, the martyred grandsons of the Prophet Mohammed, was
originally a holiday for primarily the Muslim population. Today all of the
island takes part in this mid-May party. Prior to Hosay,
Muslims fast for one month and construct colorful flags called tadjahs which
represent the tombs of the two brothers. On the first night of Hosay,
participants bring out the tadjahs for "Flag Night" and carry them
throughout the streets. The second night of the festivals is "Small
Hosay" and features a parade of small flags. The third night, "Big
Hosay," is filled with huge, decorated tadjahs. The final evening of the
event, all the tadjahs are put into the sea. The Hindu
traditions of Trinidad's large Indian population are also seen at many
festivals. Phagwa, scheduled for March 13, marks the celebration of harvest
time with singing of folk songs and drenching of all participants with tinted
water (abir) using spray guns (pichakarees). Most of the activity takes place
in the towns of Chaguanas, Aranguez, Penal, and Princes Town. The major Hindu
religious festival is Divali or the "Festival of Lights," scheduled
every October. Honoring the goddess Lakshmi, Divali celebrates the victory of
light over darkness, with music, dance, and gift giving. One of the most
spectacular festivals in Trinidad, the highlight Divali climaxes with the
lighting of millions of tiny deyas throughout the island. AFRICAN AND
AMERINDIAN HERITAGE
The African
ancestry of many Trinidad and Tobago residents is remembered during
Emancipation Day on August 1, the day that marks the end of slavery in 1839.
The day includes the Great Race, a power boat race from Trinidad to Tobago, as
well as many African-oriented cultural events. These islands
are also home to about 300 descendants of the Carib Amerindians, some of the
earliest Caribbean settlers. The heritage of this group is celebrated at the
Santa Rosa Festival in August in a community near Arima. The day includes a
procession headed by the Carib Queen, lunch with traditional Amerindian food,
and displays of Amerindian arts and crafts. Other special
events are purely Trinidadian and Tobagonian in their nature. Tobago is home to
Easter Monday, a day filled with legendary goat and crab races, special events
that have been entertaining festival goers in the village of Buccoo for nearly
70 years. CARNIVAL!
For More
Information: For more about the many festivals of Trinidad and Tobago, check
the official website: http://www.VisitTNT.com
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TM
Tobago's
Old-Time Wedding has been drawing crowds for a decade. Every July, this
reenactment of 19th century nuptials, complete with men in tails and top hats
and women in satiny splendor, draws visitors and locals alike to the community
of Scarborough. Traditional Tobagonian touches abound: a bride's trousseau
trunk balances on the head of one guest, another transports a wedding cake
safely tucked beneath mosquito netting.
Following
Christmas, preparations begin for Carnival, the largest in the Caribbean. For
weeks, residents celebrate with steel band practices, parties, and special
events. January marks the Chutney Soca Monarch Competition, featuring the
unique chutney music that combines calypso and soca and is played using East
Indian instruments such as the dholak and the dhantal. The action really heats
up in February when nearly daily events include National Pan and Junior Calypso
contests and competitions for Carnival King and Queen. The events come to a
climax the days before Ash Wednesday, starting with the Dimanche Gras on Sunday
night, featuring the most lavish costumes of Carnival, and followed by J'Ouvert
at 4am the next morning. Participants, residents and visitors alike, take to
the streets to process behind the bands at this "Mud Parade," where
everyone comes prepared to be smeared with tinted mud. On Monday and Tuesday,
bands process through the streets and past the judges in Carnival activities
throughout both islands, the largest held in Port of Spain culminating at the
Queen's Park Savannah.