Culture of Trinidad and Tobago
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The Culture of Trinidad and Tobago reflects the influence of African, Indian, French, Amerindian, Chinese, British, Spanish, Portuguese, Venezuelan, and Caribbean immigrants who brought their various cultures to the islands. Since the histories of Trinidad and Tobago are different, there are differences in the cultural influences which have shaped each island. Despite their small sizes, there are also regional differences within each island.
Trinidad and Tobago is an English-speaking country with strong links to the United Kingdom. Historical membership in the British Empire left a major influence on the country, including the dominance of the English language and the popularity of the two top sports in the country, football and cricket.
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[edit] Festivals and music
[edit] Carnival
The most influential single factor on the culture of Trinidad and Tobago is Carnival. Carnival was brought to Trinidad by French settlers in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Originally the celebration was confined to the elite, but it was imitated and adapted by their slaves and, after the abolition of slavery in 1834 the practise spread into the free population. The Canboulay Riots of 1881 were a turning point in the evolution of Trinidad Carnival. Carnival was originally confined to the upper classes, who rode the streets in floats, or watched from the upper storeys of residences and businesses. The night was given over to the lower classes. The first few hours of Carnival Monday morning, from about 4 am until sunrise, was known as J'ouvert (a contraction of jour ouvert). Costumed and masked by the darkness, J'ouvert allowed the wealthy to mix with the poor in relative anonymity. Monday night (night 'mas) had a similar, but lesser function.
- See also: Caribbean Carnival
[edit] Mas'
The daytime of Carnival Monday and Tuesday are dominated by costumed masqueraders. Until World War II most of these masqueraders portrayed traditional characters including the Midnight Robber, Police and Thief, Wild Indian, Bat, Jab Molassie, Jab Jab, Red Devil, Blue Devil, and Dame Lorraine. The wartime presence of American soldiers (and war movies) added the Sailor Mas'. In the postwar period the individuals gave way to organised bands, which today can include thousands of masqueraders. Peter Minshall is often considered the greatest mas' designer.
[edit] Carnival fetes
Carnival fetes or "parties" take place most heatedly during the week before the actual parade of bands on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. However, traditionally, the Carnival season begins on Boxing Day and soca and calypso music reign supreme over the air waves. The fetes that take place from year end, all the way through till carnival (usually in February) are generally carnival themed and feature live music from bands and soca artists who are promoting their song contributions for the year.
[edit] Christmas
Parang is a traditional form of music at this time of year. Pastelle, black cake, fruit cake, sweet bread paime are customary eats; Peardrax[1], ponche de creme, ginger beer, sorrell wine are the drinks. This is one of the biggest celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago since most of the people are Christians.
[edit] Divali
- See also: Diwali
[edit] Hosay
Hosay is the local manifestation of the Shia Muslim Remembrance of Muharram in Trinidad and Tobago[2] and Jamaica[3] (where is it spelled Hussay). The name Hosay comes from "Husayn" whose marytrdom is commemorated in the festival. In Trinidad and Tobago it is primarily celebrated in Saint James, in northwestern Trinidad and in Cedros in southwestern Trinidad. Recently it has been revived elsewhere.
[edit] Phagwah
- See also: Holi
[edit] Music
Calypso music developed together with Carnival. The chantuelle, who spoke for the band, evolved into the calypsonian (and other characters, such as the Midnight Robber). The music, which drew upon African and French influences, became the voice of the people. It allowed the masses to challenge the doings of the unelected Governor and Legislative Council, and the elected town councils of Port of Spain and San Fernando. As English replaced patois (Creole French) as the dominant language, calypso migrated into English, and in so doing it attracted more attention from the government. Calypso continued to play an important role in political expression, and also served to document the history of Trinidad and Tobago.
[edit] Soca
Soca is a dance music which is a mix of Trinidad's calypso and Indian music and rhythms, especially chutney music. It combines the melodic lilting sound of calypso with an insistent percussion. Soca and its derivatives (Chutney soca, Ragga soca) have largely displaced mainstream calypso as the music of Carnival. It got it's name from the word calypso>>>The last two letters from calypso=SO...And the first two from calypso=CA...===" SOCA "..... The term Soca' did NOT COME FROM 'so' in calypso and 'ca' in calypso.
The 'SO' came from SOUL MUSIC and the 'CA' came from calypso. It was soul music played in calypso tempo and flavour which musicians ALWAYS used to do in their repertoire ONLY this time, they invented their own soul music styled tune played as I said in calypso tempo and style. In other words, it went contrary to the normal calypso melody that lead to an expected refrain. In some cases, a soca tune STARTED with music sounding like the refrain and like a song (valerie valera etc Que sera sera. etc.) but all had this new style of plenty band (Brass and otherwise) music between the lyrics with the bass continuing to join the melody in certain emphasis parts we call: "A Run."
They,Lord Shorty (and some say Maestro ) invented Soca and Shorty gave it the name; they tried to take the credit away from him. Band leader Ed Watson was the leading Soca player at one time. He called himself: "Doctor Soca."
In addittion, there was a bass line Shorty said that he took from the Indian bass drums including the 'tassa drum, and while it is true that Shorty had some Indian styled drums BEFORE he invented Soca in "Indrani"; the predominant soca bass was there already identical to and called 'Mambo bass' from Cuban Perez Prado OF THE 40s onwards (like Mambo No 5 and mambo jumbo.) as was noted and explained by Lord Kitchener, in a television interview. Kitchener was, as many know, an accomplished contra bass player (the big bass) having played in England etc.
After Shorty invented Soca, and one looks back at Indrani, IT WAS very close to, or indeed SOCA.I remember that it had some Indian drums and musical flavour. I can't remember what kind of bass it had. (I have to listen to Indrani again to verify. You listen and tell?) I have heard that some of Maestro's tunes have a Soca flavour. I know his music was kind of different towards funk soul something but I haven't listened to any recently to make an absolute judgement. I kind of remember one called 'Tempo.'
Except Baron's music like Socaman; Shorty's 'endless vibrations;' David Rudder's 'calypso music' what they are calling Soca now, is NOT soul calypso (soca). They should give that another name as some strongly admonish. Maybe they should call it Blueboy or Superblue as 'he' was the one and is still the master of that 'jump & wave' fast paced style. MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS trevorcjoseph@yahoo.com.
[edit] Chutney
Chutney is listened to Trinidad and Guyana. (Both countries have very affluent East Indian Populations.
[edit] Rapso
[edit] Parang
Parang is a Spanish Trinidadian musical art form mainly listened to around Christmas time.
[edit] Pichakaree
Pichakaree is an Indo-Trinidadian musical form which originated in Trinidad and Tobago. Pichakaree songs are generally social commentary, and are sung using a mixture of Hindi, English and Bhojpuri words. The musical form was devised by RaviJi, spiritual leader of the Hindu Prachar Kendra, as an Indo-Trinidadian counterpoint to calypso which often takes a strongly anti-Indian tone. Pichakaree competitions are an integral part of Phagwa celebrations hosted by the Hindu Prachar Kendra.
[edit] Steelband
The steelband developed during the wartime period. They were preceded by the Tambu Bamboo bands, which used percussion instruments based on bamboo. The steelband movement developed in the postwar period. Many bands took names from war movies including Casablanca, Tokyo, Free French and Tripoli. The steelbands originated in poor neighbourhoods, and clashes between the bands were often violent. Following the Black Power riots of 1970, corporate sponsors put money into the steelband movement, bringing it more into the mainstream, but also divorcing it from its base.
[edit] Cuisine
The cuisine of Trinidad and Tobago draws upon the varied origins of its people. Three influences predominate - Creole, Indian and Chinese cuisine.
Creole food commonly includes callaloo, macaroni pie and red beans. Indian food is based on curries. Although the Chinese element in the population is small, Chinese food is cooked in most homes, and is served in almost all "sit-down" restaurants.
The Cuisine of Trinidad and Tobago is indicative of the blends of Amerindian, European, African, Creole, Chinese, Indian and Lebanese gastronomic influences.
A representative main dish from Trinidad and Tobago is callaloo, a creamy and spicy side dish made of dasheen leaves, ochro or okra, crab, thyme, coconut milk and shado beni (from "chardon bénit," French thistle or Fitweed) or bhandhanya or culantro. Doubles are generally considered a national dish of Trinidad and Tobago; it is often found on street vendors and are very popular. Pelau, a rice-based dish, is also a standard dish in Trinidad and Tobago. Another popular food is roti-- this is a flatbread of Indian origin often served with of curried potatoes, channa (chick peas) and meat. Dhalpuri is a type of roti which has a middle layer of ground dhal, or split peas. Other local dishes include aloo choka, coconut bake, stewed (caramelized) chicken, sancoche, macaroni pie and breadfruit oil down.
Popular street foods include most importantly doubles, pholourie, geera pork, souse, corn soup, Maracas shark & bake, and black pudding.
Also see: Cuisine of Trinidad and Tobago or Cookbook Recipe Index
[edit] Theatre
See: Beryl McBurnie for information about The Little Carib Theatre, the first permanent folk-dance company and theatre in Trinidad.
[edit] Painting, design, visual arts
Melanie Hoadley is an acclaimed Trinidadian designer, residing in Canada.
[edit] Literary scene
Trinidad and Tobago have produced many noted writers—most famously, Nobel laureates Sir Vidia Naipaul and St. Lucia–born poet Derek Walcott.
[edit] Religion
- Main article: Hinduism in Trinidad; Religion in Trinidad and Tobago
The largest religious groups are the Roman Catholics and Hindus; the Anglicans, Muslims, Presbyterians, Methodist are among the smaller faiths. Two Afro-Caribbean syncretic faiths, the Shouter or Spiritual Baptists and the Orisha faith (formerly called Shangos, a less than complimentary term) are among the fastest growing religious groups, as are a host of American-style evangelical and fundamentalist churches usually lumped as "Pentecostal" by most Trinidadians (although this designation is often inaccurate). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, aka the "Mormon Church", has also expanded its presence in the country since the mid-1980s.
[edit] References
- ^ Vanished UK drink is toast of Caribbean, an April 2007 article from the BBC website
- ^ Korom, Frank J. (2003). Hosay Trinidad: Muharram Performances in an Indo-Caribbean Diaspora. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia. ISBN 0-8122-3683-1.
- ^ Shankar, Guha (2003) Imagining India(ns): Cultural Performances and Diaspora Politics in Jamaica. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Texas, Austin pdf
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