Trinidad & Tobago - A Celebration of Festivals - Trinidad and Tobago

a celebration ofFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago Index View Print Exit /

CarnivalFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

CarnivalT h e G r e at e s t S h o w on E a rt hFebruary / MarchThe Carnival is not just one festival, but aseries sandwiched in between Christmasand Ash Wednesday. And because AshWednesday is fixed 40 days before themoveable feast of Easter, the season maybe long or short -generally six to tenweeks - in which to pack the play-offs ofthe premier Pan (steelband), Calypso andMas’ competitions in the world.Trinidad & Tobago created these uniqueart forms out of the confluence ofcultures - European, African, Indian,Asian - assembled here in the centuriessince Columbus. The songs of the slavesand their oral news network are nowpithy calypsos of social commentary andfast-paced rhythmic soca, the music andpoetry of the festival.The masked balls of the European mastershave exploded onto the streets, withcostume and mime - look for devils,demons, midnight robbers, bats and mokojumbies - and dancing parties, thousandsstrong, revelling in liberatingly loud musicand licence to cavort in the heart ofPort of Spain’s business district! It is thistransformation wrought by costume andmusic that has been called simply Mas’,and used to refer to children, adults,individually or in bands, costumed forstreet or stage parades.It was also out of attempts to suppressthe drum that the steelband eventuallyemerged. Now simply called pan, it is theonly musical instrument invented in thelast century.The season’s schedule starts with theopening of the calypso tents. Calypsoniansin T&T will present the songs that willmove from Trinidad to all the othercarnivals for the year. This is where thehits are made. This is where musiciansfrom other islands and territories comefor approval. Listen for the panyardpractices late into the night as Panorama,the steelband competitions, draw near.And visit the mas camps where thecostumes for the big bands are alreadybeing distributed.Where and when:The vast influx of visitors and returningresidents is usually concentrated in theweek before the Carnival. Fetes, pan,calyspo and mas’ events are planned intowns and villages all over the two islands,but mainly in and around Port of Spain.Most visitors stay until the weekend afterCarnival, taking in Tobago, sea baths andpost-Carnival shows.Festivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

PhagwaFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

PhagwaA C e l e br at i on of G o od o v e r E v i lDetermined by the Lunar CalendarAlso known as Holi, Phagwa celebratesPrahlaad, a child-prince who waspersecuted by his emperor father forrefusing to worship him as God.He ordered his sister Holika, to destroythe prince by fire; but he was miraculouslysaved while Holika perished.Phagwa season begins with the planting ofa castor oil plant symbolizing Holika. In thefollowing five to six weeks, the communityputs rubbish around the tree. During thistime, villagers gather at different homesto sing chowataal or folksongs. Singersaccompany themselves on jhaals - smallbrass cymbals - and are led by drummers.Above the loud rhythms, strong voicesmust rise in ever-increasing speed to chantcomplex tongue twisters in Bhojpuri, adialect of North India.The re-enactment of Prahlaad’s escapeis held on the eve of Phagwa - fullmoon night. The large pyre is set fireafter a ceremony. As the fire subsides,participants throw ashes on each other.At dawn, neighbours vie to be the firstto douse abeer - magenta colouredwater - on each other, then take to thestreets singing, dancing and holding mockbattles. Every one is liable to be sprayedwith large syringe-like instruments calledpichakaarees.Where and When:Venues include Children’s Phagwa atTunapuna Hindu School. Adult chowtaalbands compete at Aranguez, Tunapuna,Carlsen Field and other venues.A competition hosted by the Kendra atDivali Nagar, provides stinging bilingualsocial commentaries called pichakaarees.You will also view Makhan Chor, a contestin which groups of youths form humanpyramids to reach a pot of dahee - curds- at the top of a tall tower. It is advisableto walk with a towel, and cover car seatswith plastic.Festivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

Buccoogoat racefestivalFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

Buccoo goat race festivalTob a g o ’s G r a n d E a s t e r R a c e M e e t i n gAprilIf the run-up to the austere RomanCatholic Lenten season is Carnival inTrinidad, then it is appropriate that thecelebratory end of self-denial takes placein Tobago, where Trinidadians flock onthe longest weekend of the year (GoodFriday, Glorious Saturday, Easter Sundayand Easter Monday) for sun, sea-bathing,and the odd and enjoyable goat and crabraces.There may be no corbeaux (blackvultures) on Tobago, but there are plentyof blue backed crabs. And here you’reallowed to play with your food beforeyou eat it. In some races, the crabs areencouaged to run on a straight course -have you ever seen a crab run?Otherwise, all the crab competitors areplaced in the centre of a large circle drawnin the sand, and the first one to get out ofthe circle is declared the winner.Owners run around, scream, cajole andentice the side-stepping crustaceans, butin the end, it’s the owner that takes theprize, and all competitors go into thepot. Curried crab and dumpling is just asdelicious whether your crab has raced andwon, or not.Wacky companion event to the crabraces are the goat races. These takeconsiderably more preparation since goatsare usually trained for months beforeon whatever beach or pasture might benearby. Their jockeys run either beside orbehind, holding on to or being dragged bytheir steeds. Spectators place their bets,and are allowed to scream their lungs outfor Betty, Neddy, Goatee...So England has Astor, we have Buccoo.The races take place in the sun, so bars,buffets and ice cream vendors do athriving trade.Where and when:Easter sports take place at communitygrounds over the Easter weekend. Mainvenue for the Goat and Crab Races isBuccoo on Easter Tuesday.Festivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

RAPSOFESTFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

RAPSOFESTT h e P o w e r of t h e Or a l T r a d i t i on sApril / May11Rapso is “the power of the word in therhythm of the word”. It is a unique style ofstreet poetry that emerged in Trinidad &Tobago during the period of the 1970s, thatcame to be known as the Black Power era.It is a natural progression in Trinidad fromthe traditions of the African Griot thatflowed through the Chantwell to Calypso,Pierrot Grenade and Midnight Robber.Lancelot Layne created the first Rapsorecordings with his conscious lyrics, BlowAway and Get off the Radio, in the early1970s. Cheryl Byron was the first to takeRapso to the Calypso tent, in 1976, and isrecognised as the “mother of Rapso.”The conscious effort to popularise Rapsoas a community festival began with the firstRapsofest in 1991. It takes place duringApril and May. Month long of workshopsaddress the need to orient young peopleto the art form which is “world music andpoetry” according to Brother Resistance,indefatigable advocate of Rapso.Workshops take place throughout Trinidad& Tobago and have the support of theNational Library system, with schoolsand community centres as venues. Thesesessions culminate in the first of fourperformance events in May.Breaking New Ground allows the recentinitiates of Rapso to present new works tothe public. Children’s Story Time introducesthe art in a familiar form, to children bychildren. Women of the Oral Tradition intribute to Cheryl Byron, features strongvoices like Sista Ava, Samantha Pierre,Shakilah and Eintou Pearl Springer.The big climax, Rapso Night Concert,brings artistes from all over the Caribbean:Adissa from Barbados; Ras Mo fromDominica; Ras I from St Lucia; Muta Barukafrom Jamaica; Papa Loko from Haiti. In T&T,Brother Resistance and Karega Mandelawith the Network Riddum Band have longcarried the torch for Rapso, and are happyto have such good company as 3 Canal,Ataklan, Kindred, Blak Lyrics, Ozzie Magic,Andre Tanker, SuperBlue, Black Stalin andDavid Rudder.Where and when:The amphitheatre of the National Libraryin Port of Spain and Little Carib theatre aremain venues. All workshops and seminarstake place in April; performances in May.For more information, visit websites,www.visittnt.com, www.rapsofest.com,www.brotherresistance.com or contactBrother Resistance (telephone 868-620-2966; 868-622-4161)Festivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

TobagoInternationalGospelfestivalFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

GangaDHAARAaFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

Ganga DHAARAaA T r i b u t e t o t h e ‘ M ot h e r ’ of C i v i l i s at i onLate June15Colourful flags map out the route alonga winding mountain road. A pristine riverbecomes an altar, tall trees are the walls,and the open sky is the roof of nature’smandir. Lit deeyas in prayer boats madeof coconut fibre sail intermittently alongthe lazily flowing mountain river.And women wearing saris of yellowbuttercups flutter by.This is Ganga Dhaaraa (Dashara), theoldest river festival in the world. It is aFestivals of Trinidad & Tobagounique experience of man, nature andGod in communion.There are seven ghaats or locations alongthe banks where over 25 activities areheld. Worship at a small cave is importantfor pilgrims. Devotees, predominantly inyellow traditional clothes, stand in thewater, or on the banks or stony hillocksbearing fruits and burning incense in brassvessels.The blasts of shankh - conch shell - bells,and voices in praise are raised, sometimesclose by, and sometimes echoing in thedistance.The festival remembers an ancientcataclysmic ecological event when asevere need for fresh water threatened todestroy human civilization. The Puraanictexts record that Bhagirathi, a descendentof Emperor Sagar’s children who wereburnt to ashes, suffered severe hardshipto bring down Ganga from the heavensto revive them. An annual award, anecological mantra, discourse and folk songsare part of the nature festival.Light, non-leather shoes are best for theoccasion. Bring along a change of clothesand towel.Where and when:The trek starts in the Blanchisseuse forestaround the 18-mile post, in the pre-dawndarkness. Led by the pundit, celebrantswalk up-river to the designated spot.Check your daily newspaper for the date,usually a Sunday in early June; TDC,or the Kendra (665-4270)\ Index View Print Exit /

TobagoHeritagefestivalFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

Tobago Heritage festivalA C e l e br at i on of Tob a g o ’s D a n c e , S t ory t e l l i n g , M u s i c & F o odLate July17Tobago’s history has taken different twistsand turns from Trinidad’s. It was neverseen by Columbus, but instead claimedby English adventurers for their king.They had to contend with the originalinhabitants who were by all accountsfierce defenders of their island, and whohad cultivated and smoked tobacco, theplant for which the island was named.The island changed hands several timesamong European powers including theDutch, Courlanders (a Baltic principality)and the French. A fertile salubrious island,Tobago was “the jewel of the Caribbean”and home to an elite planter class thatdepended on African slaves who acquiredland after the abolition of slavery in 1834.In 1889, Tobago was joined with Trinidadas a British Crown Colony. Sincethen, the two islands have remainedone administrative entity, acquiringindependence as one nation in 1962.Tobago remains different from Trinidad inits thriving tourism industry, and a lifestylerooted in village life. The Tobago HeritageFestival celebrates traditions that arelargely African, and climax in a j’ouvert(pre-dawn street “jump up”) and streetparade on Emancipation Day (August 1),and a Great Fete early in August.The heritage events are hosted indifferent villages and feature danceperformances of Bele (or belair), Jig andReel, all based on 18th and 19th centuryEuropean formal dances; the Ole timeTobago Wedding with its procession ofthe bride and groom, wedding guests andgifts, accompanied by the music of fiddleand tamb’rin (a circular skin drum).New generations of Tobagonians areinducted in community ways throughstory-telling, folk tales, superstitiions andmorality plays. This is theatre in the rough,mainly for Tobagonians, but everyone iswelcome.Where and when:The events usually begin in early tomid July, and end in the Great Fete andEmancipation Day (August 1). All eventsare open to the public, with entrance fees.There’s food to be purchased at everyevent.Festivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

FESTIVALSOF PANFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

FESTIVALS OF PANT h e N at i on a l I n s t r u m e n t on D i s p l ayThroughout the Year19Steelbands were born in communities, andthe panyards are centres for music as well ascommunity life. Competitions at Carnival havebeen organised to bring audiences to hear themusic in the panyards. Committees in manybands are not only staging their own panyardevents at different times of the year, but cooperatingto play in other yards. Some of thepanyard festivals that are putting pan on the mapare featured here. Panyard Sensations, nowin its fifth year of existence, is scheduled to be atwo month-long event of weekend pan concertshosted by the Tourism Development CompanyLimited in conjunction with PantrinbagoIncorporated.Carded to be featured this year are CaribDixieland Steel Orchestra in Tobago; T&TECEastside New Dimesion in Tobago; SouthernMarines in South Trinidad; Parry’s Pan Schoolin Tacarigua; Excellent Stores Silver Stars inFestivals of Trinidad & TobagoNewtown; The Couva Joylanders; the Solo panKnights of Baraatria and Courts Sound Specialistsof Laventille.Staging its Fourth Edition in 2006, The Trinidadand Tobago Steel Pan & Jazz Festival boasts ofa history of highest quality concert productionsthat have featured some of jazz-world’s livinglegends and leading exponents of the art of Steelpan playing. This year’s show promises to be ofan internationally competitive caliber and willattract visitors from global markets. It showcasesthe best of Pan in a concert format alongsideother elements of the culture such as the tassadrumming, tamboo bamboo, rapso, talkcalypso,and some of Trinidad and Tobago’s best folkchoirs.Concerts have been held at Valley Harps SteelOrchestra Pan Theater (North) and at the NLCBFonclaire Steel Orchestra (South), in additionto Exodus, Neal & Massey All Stars, TCL SkiffleBunch, Tobago Our Boys, Tropical Angel Harps,RBTT Redemption Sound Setters, La HorquettaPan Groove and Trinidad Nostalgia; and featuredBrother Resistance, extempo champion BlackSage, Karega Mandela, saxophonist Jesse Ryan,Ken “Professor” Philmore, Len Boogsie Sharpeand others.The Pan coalition in the West - Playboyz,Invaders, Phase II and Starlift - are alsoresponsible for a series of pan concerts that takeplace in their panyards.The Laventille Steelband Festival, startedover five years ago, also invites pan lovers toa programme of concerts organised by theLaventille Community Committee, from the lasttwo weeks of July through the Emancipationholiday in the first week in August.The concert programme culminates in a streetparade, on the “Eastern Parkway”: fromMcAllister Street along the Eastern Main Roadto Leon Street. There is also an educationalcomponent of the Laventille festival - a two weekpan camp for nine to 17-year-olds selected fromschools in Laventille. The camps cover intensivesessions in pan playing and history, music practiceand theory. They are also intended to identifyand generate interest in careers in Pan; andmaintain Laventille’s prominence as the placewhere the instrument was born.In the weeks before Christmas, Excellent StoresSilver Stars on Tragarete Road hosts “Parang andSteel” - concerts of traditional Christmas music- in their panyard on Tragarete Road.Where and when:Contact TDC (www.visittnt.com),Pan Trinbago (www.pantrinbago.com)or Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan and Jazz(www.trinidadtobagosteelpanjazz.com) for timelyinformation about Pan events.When in T&T, check the daily newspapers.\ Index View Print Exit /

HoosayFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

HoosayS h i i t e M u s l i m C o m m e m or at i on of t h e M a rt y r d o m of I m a m H u s s a i na n d I m a m H a s s a n , ( t h e G r a n d s on s of M u h a m m a d ) , 6 4 0 a . d .Subject to the Islamic Lunar Calendar21Hoosay commemorates the martyrdomof Hussein - the grandson of Muhammad,the Prophet of Islam - which occurred onthe “Day of Atonement” in the monthof Muharram, the first month of theIslamic lunar calendar.After the death of Muhammed, conflictsover succession had ensued. Onegrandson, Hassan, died by poison. Hussain,his brother, was attacked in Kerbala (Iraq)and killed.The martyrdom of Hussain (Hoosay) andHassan was observed by Shiite Muslimswho brought the customs to Trinidadwhen they came as indentured workersfrom India.The first Hoosay in Trinidad was heldin 1854. When the British colonialadministration put a ban on processions,a large crowd came out for Hoosay in SanFernando, in 1884. Confrontation withthe police led to what is known as the“Hoosay Massacre.”The Shiites of St. James, the westernsuburb of Port of Spain, begin the monthof Muharram with prayer and fasting asthey build tadjahs (Hussain’s tomb) ofwood, bamboo, and tinsel. The 7th dayof Muharram is Flag Night on which theHoosay-building families parade withflags and drums. The following night isLittle Hoosay Night when tadjahs arepulled through the streets accompaniedby drumming. The next night, Big HoosayNight, the tadjahs are brought outtogether with two half-moons, one eachfor Hussain and his brother Hassan.On the “Day of Atonement”, the mainprocession proceeds in daytime alonga route set out since St James was aplantation. The tadjahs reach Queen’sRoyal College at 3.30pm - the time ofdeath - where the funeral prayer is read.Four days later, the tadjahs are draggedto the sea and destroyed.Where and when:Hoosay is commemorated in St. James,a suburb of Port-of-Spain that was settledby Indian indentured workers - streetnames include Lucknow, Mathura, Delhi,Calcutta, Cawnpore, Bengal - and Cedros,the southwest toe of Trinidad. ContactTDC for more detailed information.Festivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

SANTA ROSACARIB FESTIVALFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

SANTA ROSA CARIB FESTIVALH o m a g e t o S a n ta R o s a D e L i m aAugust23Santa Rosa de Lima is supposed to haveappeared to a group of Carib men at atime when they were resisting conversionto Catholicism. Rosa, the priests claimed,had been born in Arima and taken byher parents to Peru where she dedicatedher life to helping the poor. She was thefirst canonized saint of the Americas, andher manifestation in Trinidad led to theconstruction of a church in 1759 dedicatedto Santa Rosa de Arima.The underground spring where shewas seen by the men still exists in theresidential area now known as SantaRosa Heights. * The community of thedescendants of indigenous Caribbean/Amerindian people became known as theSanta Rosa Caribs. As far as possible, theyhave retained traditional survival systemsand practices including the cultivationof cassava, its processing methods andfarming implements.Cassava, first cultivated and processedin the Americas - over 9000 years ago itis estimated - is now grown in equatorialcountries around the world, accounting fora wide range of industry and products.It is the fourth most important crop inthe world.Though they have little influence on thesocial or economic life of the islands,they have given us a rich legacy of placenames and words. According to JohnStollmeyer, Trinidad artist, Arima is their“place of beginnings,” and Naparima refersto the home of an ancestral hero, Haburithe canoe and paddle maker. Cumucurapo,site of the Port of Port of Spain was builtupon an Amerindian meeting place.And no Trinidadian would be foolishenough to be in a hammock during ahurricane!The Santa Rosa Carib Festival takesplace in August - in the week leading upto Independence Day (August 31) andis intended to pay tribute to the FirstPeoples of the New World, and toexpose their culture to the nation.The ceremonies include the crowningof the Carib Queen, an elder matron oftheir community who performs the roleof focusing their heritage and traditions;a church procession and performanceof some of their traditional and ritualactivities - smoke ceremonies and prayer;as well as the opportunity to see thepreparation of, and purchase cassavabread.Where and when:The Santa Rosa church is a landmarkin Arima which lies in the foothills ofTrinidad’s Northern Range. ContactTDC for details of the annual Santa Rosacelebrations.(* ref: Elma Reyes was a journalist wholived in Arima and recorded the historyand customs of the Santa Rosa Caribs.)Festivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

EMANCIPATIONFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

EMANCIPATIONA C e l e br at i on of F r e e d o mAugust 1st25On August 1, 1838, the enslaved Africansthroughout the British Empire in theCaribbean were finally freed from thebondage of chattel slavery.In 1985, August 1, Emancipation Day,was declared a national holiday. Since1985, Emancipation celebrations havegrown into a major national festival,where tens of thousands of peopleparticipate in various activities.The Emancipation Support Committeeof Trinidad & Tobago hosts a week ofactivities leading up to Emancipation Dayincluding cultural performances in music,song and dance. Over the past years,leading international artistes such as theworld renowned National SenegaleseBallet, Lorraine Klassen and Jabu Khanyilefrom South Africa have performed in thecelebrations.Other activities include an art exhibition,lectures by prominent Pan Africanscholars, opportunities for networkingand business development through theannual International Trade and InvestmentSymposium.There is a chance to purchase Africanartefacts, paintings and clothing in themarket place, popularly called the Trans-Atlantic Exposition which attracts tradersfrom Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria, theCaribbean region and North America.The Kamboule (street procession) onEmancipation Day is theatre in motion,a mass procession throughout the streetsof the capital Port of Spain, featuringAfrican drums, steelband, moko jumbiesand dance groups. The day ends with theFlambeau Procession later in the night,recalling the rebellion of the AfricanAncestors against slavery.Within recent times, Emancipationcelebrations have attracted an increasingnumber of foreign visitors from acrossthe African diaspora. Trinidad & Tobago isnow dubbed the Emancipation Capital ofthe world and the celebrations form oneof the world’s foremost African festivals.Where and when:Contact TDC or the EmancipationSupport Committee for specific eventsrelated to Emancipation celebrations.Festivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

OSUN RiverfestivalFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

OSUN River festivalT h e F e s t i va l of M ot h e r h o odAugust27Osun (pronounced Oshuun) is a Yorubagoddess who is widely worshipped inYoruba land.Ancient tradition holds that for a long timepeople had great trouble in finding goodwater until Osun helped through divination.Orisa Osun is the Orisa of fertility, wealthand riches. She is the epitome of beauty.Osun is the spirit of the river - with thetransparent, cleansing, fluid and life-givingqualities of water - in the Orisa pantheon.The Orisa emerged from the Yorubasystem of belief brought from Africa, andsurvived the imposition of Christianityas it was practised in the 17th and 18thcenturies in West Indian societies. Itallowed slaves and descendants of slaves topreserve the traditions of their ancestorswhile accepting the tenets and observancesmandated by their European rulers.Even after Emancipation, for many decades,Orisa remained an “underground” religionregarded with suspicion by the authorities,and practised clandestinely in close-knitcommunities. Ritual celebrations weremarked by night-long drumming, bloodsacrifices and “catching the power” as thetrance-like states were called.In 1995, the umbrella body that hasorganised the Orisa religion in Trinidad& Tobago was recognised by an Act ofParliament. Tribute to Osun is placed atthe mouth of the river at the pointwhere it meets the sea.A feast of food, bread, cake, sweets, fruitand flowers, is laid out upon the sand forthe tide to take it into the sea. Celebrantswear festive robes in mainly white oryellow. The significance of the festival liesin focusing attention on the importance ofgood water and the cleansing of the river.Where and when:River mouths all over Trinidad are possiblevenues: Manzanilla, Salybia, Grande Riviere,Blanchisseuse. Celebrants are taken to thesite in excursion buses. For information,contact 868 637 1750 or 868 675 1079Festivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

Tobago FestFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

Tobago FestTob a g o ’s v e r y o w n C a r n i va lLate September29It’s late September and not a Carnivalin sight until the pre-Lenten “motherof all festivals” in Trinidad the followingFebruary or March. Antigua’s, Grenada’s,Jamaica’s, Toronto’s, Notting Hill’s, andeven Brooklyn’s Labour Day - all versionsof Trinidad style Carnivals - have passed.So, a few years ago two resourcefulTobago Mas’ enthusiasts invited theNational Carnival Bands Association ofTrinidad and Tobago (NCBA) to assistin producing a Trini style Carnival on thesister isle within the low visitor period oflate September. With the support of TheTobago House of Assembly, though it isjust a few years old, already the TobagoFest is taking off with its own Carnivalseason.Queen show, fetes, calypso, chill-out, nightmas, a parade of the bands and j’ouvertare packed into a longish weekend -who minds if it spills over to a workday? -in Tobago venues that are never far fromthe sea. For good measure, you might alsobump into a Bum Boat Festival!A unique feature of Tobago Fest is theTraditional Mas which features FancySailors, Beasts and Imps, Authentic andFancy Indians, Jab Jabs and many morewho contribute to the Fest and bring alivethe cultural portrayals of yesteryear.Airline tickets and accommodation areeasier to come by in the coolest Carnivalon the calendar. We don’t expect it to betoo long before the Tobago Fest stars onas many holiday calendars as the others.In the meantime, as they say, get in onthe ground floor. Enjoy the unclutteredbeginnings of a festival in the making!Where and when:Take advantage of low season airfares andhotel rates to plan your holiday in Tobagoin late September.Your bonus package will certainlyinclude the Carnival fetes, parades andcompetitions. Contact TDC (868-675-7034 to 7) or the NCBA (868 627 8323)for more information. www.visittnt.comFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

RamleelaFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

RamleelaH i n d u D e v o t e e s D r a m at i s at i on of t h e R a m aya nOctober / November31Ramleela or Ramdilla, an annualreenactment of the Tulsidas’ Ramayan,is the oldest open air theatre in theCaribbean. The event is held during theHindu observance of “Nav Raatam - ninenights of the Divine Mothers.”This 10-day serialised play recounts thejourney of the divine king, Rama and hisconsort, Sita, on earth; and begins with aceremonial procession of the characterswhich includes deities, kings, princes,sages, soldiers, monkey troops, forestdwellers and the army of the evil tenheaded king, Ravana. It is the story ofRama’s willing acceptance of 14 years exilein order to uphold His father’s word andeventual victory in war over the evil king.The open-air performance area iscordoned off and ritualized as sacred“Ramdilla ground” and invested withthe names of kingdoms, cities, forests,rivers, mountains and pilgrimage centresassociated with the episodes and Rama’stravels.Bare-footed actors called paatras (vessels)observe ritual disciplines before theyenter the ground. Ancient characters incostumes of yellow, red, blue and blackdance to the strong rhythms of tassadrums as they enact the episodes whichare sung in Hindi and narrated in Englishfrom a raised platform situated to theeast.The annual reenactment is ritual, faithand theatre in four languages; Awadhi,Sanskrit, English and local Trini dialect.It ends on Dashmi, the tenth day, withthe burning of a gigantic effigy of Ravan.Rama’s coronation and a festival of lightswelcoming his return to Ayodhya marksthe eventual victory of good over evil.This Festival of Lights enterscontemporary time and local space as apublic holiday, Divali, two weeks later onthe local calendar.Where and when:Check newspapers for open invitations toRamayan Yagnas - discourse, music andfeast. Ramleela occurs at several venuesincluding Hindu Schools, St. Augustine,Aranjuez Ground, and Baal (Children’s)Ramdilla, Raghunanan Road, Enterprise.Festivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

DIVALIFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

DIVALIH i n d u F e s t i va l of L i g h t sOctober / November33Divali, as the Festival of Lights, connectswith Ramleela to celebrate the defeat ofevil and victory of good with the returnof Rama to Ayodhya and His coronationas King of Ayodhya. The story of Rama’sexile is also the story of the exile of thejeeva, beings from God. The ultimaterecovery of spirituality orders the joy andprayerfulness of the Festival of Lights:“Asato maa sad gamaya.”(Lead me from darkness to light.)Divali stands in the middle of a season offive festivals in the Hindu month of Kartik.Divali was selected as the representativeholiday for the large Hindu community.Since then it has served as a meansof presenting the religion and cultureof descendents of Indian indenturedlabourers.The vigour with which the festival isengaged has now stretched into culturalprogrammes during weekends extendingover one month before and after Divali.Poojaa or ceremonial worship, feastsand cultural programmes which includereligious, folk, film and classical music,dances and songs are the main features.Indian sweets are distributed.Divali Nagar, which attracts many peoplefrom across the country hosts a yagna - aformal event two weeks before Divali.It serves to inform through discourse ina traditional ambience of decor, Indianmusic and feast. This is followed one weeklater by a thematic exhibition on Hindureligious and cultural traditions, stagedcultural programmes and a commercialsection which caters mainly for shopping.The highlight is Divali night when deeyaas- earthen lamps - are lit across thecountry. Each locality takes pride to createartistic designs using bamboo archesand plantain trees to hold thousands oflighted deeyas. Indian music is piped fromhomes and stages making it an enchantingexperience.Where to visit on Divali night:Felicity, Patna Village, Dow Village andPenal. A drive in the countryside aroundBarackpore or Caparo.Festivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

PaRaNGFestivalFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

PaRaNG FestivalT h e M u s i c of C h r i s t m a sSeptember - December35Although Trinidad was originally namedand colonised by the Spanish - who laterencouraged French planters to settlehere with their households and slaves -it was not until the island was held by theBritish that a Christmas tradition of theVenezuelan peons engaged in the cocoaindustry took root. This was the customof house to house serenading that beganwith carols recounting the Anunciation,the journey to Bethlehem and birth ofthe Christ child; and which would usuallyend with more prosaic songs spreadingthe joy of the season. The songs weresung in Spanish. The singers were calledparanderos. And the musical form becameknown as Parang, the sound of Christmasin Trinidad & Tobago. Instruments includedcuatro (a small four-stringed guitar), violin,chac-chacs (maracas), a curious one-stringbox bass, and, of course, the voices.While the custom of house to housevisits continues mostly in close-knit ruralcommunities; Parang has grown into anational folk form with events for groupsof paranderos organised by the ParangAssociation. Not only parang groups,but calypsonians too, record songs inthe Parang tradition - in Spanish or withSpanish phrases or choruses and accordingto the lilting lyrical tempo of the songstelling of Christ’s birth.The official Parang season starts onSeptember 25. There is a gradual buildup that heightens the anticipation ofChristmas which is the most commercialand popular festival of the year, celebratedby all citizens, whatever their religiousbackground.Where and when:Parang groups are invited to performin malls and public places, as well asprivate functions and parties, as theChristmas season progresses. TheNational Parang Association of Trinidad &Tobago organises an annual competitionwhich moves through venues in differentparts of the country. Contact TDC, theAssociation or check the daily newspapersfor up-to-date information.Festivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

36ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSTrinidad & Tobago a Celebration of Festivalsis a publication of theTourism and Industrial Development Company (TDC)www.tdc.co.ttFor further information, contact TDCMaritime Plaza, Barataria, Trinidad & TobagoTelephone: 868-675-7034 to 7www.visittnt.com• The National Carnival Commission868- 627-1350www.ncctt.org• The National Carnival BandleadersAssociation868-627-8323• Pan Trinbago868-623-4486www.pantrinbago.co.tt• Trinidad and Tobago Steelpan& Jazz Festivalwww.trinidadtobagosteelpanjazz.comThe Tobago House of Assembly,Department of Tourism868-639-2343www.visittobago.gov.tt• The National Council of Indian Culture868-671-6242• Ravi-Ji and the Hindu Prachar Kendra868-665-4270• The Queen’s Royal College Foundation868-780-1423www.panroyale.org• Ile Orisa Osun/Obatala, BabalawoOlatunji Somorin, Petit Valley• The Emancipation Support Committee868-628-5008www.emancipationtt.org• The National Parang Association ofTrinidad and Tobago868-667-3348• Brother Resistance and the RapsoMovement• Network Community Organisation868-622-4161 or 868-620-2966• Santa Rosa Carib Community667-0210• Mary and Noel NortonResearch & Co-ordination: Denise Sally GeyetteProduction: Ellice Rawlins • Affinity (628 8774)Design, Illustrations & Artwork: Richard M. Rawlins • AffinityCopy: Patricia Ganase • Ravi-JiPhotography: TIDCO, Jason Hagley • Noel NortonBert Allette • Richard Rawlins • CYAN StudiosPre-Press and Printing: CPPPLInteractive eBrochure: pdfPictures.comFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago\ Index View Print Exit /

Tourism Development Company LimitedTrinidad & TobagoTourism Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited. Level 1 Maritime Center. No. 29 Tenth Avenue, Barataria, W.I.Tel: (868) 675-7034/5/6/7 • http://www.tdc.co.tt • http://www.visitTNT.comFestivals of Trinidad & Tobago \Index View Print Exit