Discover Trinidad & Tobago 2016 — 25th Anniversary Edition

storytelling, folklore, Carnival traditions, food
and farming products, sports, and the selection
of a Best Village Queen, La Reine
Rivé.
Hosay
Best village competition. Photo by Edison Boodoosingh
Best Village
This national competition keeps folk traditions
alive in local communities, and is
where some of the nation’s finest performing
arts professionals make their start. Ten
counties vie for various titles in the Prime
Minister’s Best Village trophy. Action heats
up at mid-year, and encompasses all indigenous
local culture — dance, drama, music,
A local incarnation of the Islamic Muharram
observances, the festival commemorates
the martyrdom of Hussain, the Prophet Muhammad’s
grandson, and later murder of
his brother Hassan. The lively three-night
celebrations (Flag Night, Small Hosay, Big
Hosay) culminate in a day procession of
exquisitely made tadjahs (ornate replicas of
the tomb of Hussain) carried through the
streets to the thunder of tassa drums; they
are eventually cast into the sea. Popular
venues for watching (and joining) Hosay
activities are St James, Curepe, Tunapuna,
Couva, and Cedros. Dates vary each year
according to the moon.
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