The culture of Trinidad is defined by the ethnic and religious diversity of the country. After the discovery of Trinidad by Christopher Columbus in 1498, the first Spanish settlement amongst the indigenous Carib and Arawak indians did not take place until 1592. Catholics were the first religious group in the country when the Roman Catholic Church was officially established in 1593. When the Cedula of Population was issued in 1783, settlers came to the island from European countries such as England, France, and Germany. The Cedula invited "everyone of all conditions and trades to take lands of up to 3,000 acres free of charge" and settle in Trinidad. In 1797, Trinidad was captured by the British and the ongoing slave trade brought many Africans to work on the island's plantations. When slavery was abolished in 1834, Portuguese laborers from the island of Madeira began arriving between 1834 and 1860. Cultural diversity was broadened on May 30, 1845, when the first indentured (contract) laborers were brought from India to work on the plantations. From 1845 to 1917, it is estimated that approximately 130,000 immigrant laborers (100,000 Hindus and 30,000 Muslims) came from India. These immigrants brought many religious customs with them, including: the festivals of Divali (Hindu) and Holi (Hindu); the performance of Ram Lila (Hindu); and the observance of Hosay (Muslim). Between 1849 and 1866, immigrant laborers were also brought in from China and, in the 1900s, merchants came from Lebanon and Syria.
In 2000, there were approximately 1.3 million people in Trinidad, the majority of whom (80%) had roots that could be traced back to Africa (40%) and India (40%). The remaining 20% was primarily made up of people with roots in England, China, Portugal, Syria, and Lebanon. With the assimilation of the various ethnic groups over the previous 150 years, almost every religion had followers in Trinidad: Catholicism (30%); Hinduism (25%); Anglican (11%); Muslim (6%); and small percentages of Presbyterians, Baptists, Pentecostals, Seventh Day Adventists, and Moravians. However, the majority of the population were christian. Of the country's 13 holidays, seven are considered religious (Spiritual Baptist, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Corpus Christi, Christmas Day, Divali, Eid-ul-Fitr) and two ethnic (Indian Arrival Day, Emancipation Day). The remaining four holidays are New Year's Day, Labour Day, Independence Day, and Boxing Day.
Every culture is unique, but Trinidad is doubly special because of the number of arts and cultural traditions that have been preserved and cross-pollinated by generations of migrants from all over the world, all in one small island. This makes Trinidad constantly abuzz with artistic and cultural activity.
Activity is typically concentrated in or near Port of Spain, with music and theatre taking place in venues from Chaguaramas in the west to the University of the West Indies (UWI) in the east. But San Fernando has its own arts scene, a long-established theatre tradition, and a recently opened branch of the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA South).
Government-sponsored events include the annual production of Best Village, a festival of the folk arts. NAPA North in Port of Spain has staged specially commissioned shows that include steelband concerts and musicals.
Music
Trinidad’s most popular musical exports are probably the steel pan (created in Port of Spain in the 1930s) and calypso. Classic old-time calypso is still a staple on the menu at the Nu Pub (formerly the Mas Camp) on Ariapita Avenue in Woodbrook, and steelpan players entertain audiences at competitions, festivals and events year-round (but especially at Carnival time).
For indigenous Trinidadian music – calypso, soca, and steelpan – the best time of year is clearly Carnival, but increasingly these can be enjoyed year-round. Competitions are a great place to hear established and budding music talent.
Beyond our local traditions, there is an increasingly diverse music scene. There is a strong tradition of artists who grow their own “world music†from distinctly Trini roots: local fusion bands 12theband, jointpop, Orange Sky and Freetown Collective; sitarist Mungal Patasar and his Indian-creole fusion music; Orisha chantuelle Ella Andall; the rapso of 3canal and Maximus Dan; and Trinidad-born star Heather Headley.
There are small but vibrant pockets of rock, pop, reggaeton, R&B, jazz, and reggae musicians who are gaining prominence. Home-grown indie music, local rock, jazz and chutney can often be heard live at bars and restaurants. Keeping both western and eastern classical traditions alive, choral groups like the Signal Hill Alumni, Marionettes, Southernaires, Lydian Singers, and Love Movement; university groups like the UWI Festival Chorale, present concerts, sometimes accompanied by steelbands (which also stage occasional concerts of their own) including full-scale operas or musical theatre productions. They also present local music in non-traditional settings and arrangements. Budding and established solo vocalists also host recitals.
If you’re in the mood to party, look for shows by Machel Montano; Kes the Band; Destra Garcia; Shurwayne Winchester and YOU; Faye-Ann Lyons, Bunji Garlin and the Asylum Band; Iwer George; and other countless soca stars. Very popular gospel concerts are staged at larger venues such as the Jean Pierre Complex. Coming up to Christmas, parang groups take centre stage, playing Spanish-influenced seasonal folk songs.
Serious liming & partying
If it’s one thing Trinis take seriously, it’s partying. Our reputation as the party animals of the Caribbean has been hard-earned and we do our best to maintain it. In addition to the numerous rum shops, holes in the wall and casinos (aka private members’ clubs) popping up across the island, Trinis love to put on their dancing shoes and head out to a club on the weekend.
Friday and Saturday evenings (weeknights too) on Ariapita Avenue in Woodbrook become virtual street parties as the crowds spill out of the many bars and onto the sidewalks, while others drift to and from the street food stalls and vans. From July to Ash Wednesday, the social calendar is taken over by literally hundreds of all-inclusive band launch fetes (massive parties), concerts, and boat rides where you will hear the soca hits for the year played and performed by the big bands.
Some of the most popular bar and club haunts are: Woodbrook & “De Avenueâ€: #63 Lounge; Stumblin; Frankies; Earth; 51° Lounge; Coco Lounge; Drink! Lounge & Bistro; More Vino; Smokey & Bunty’s; and Studio Lounge Around Port of Spain: HAZE; Katalyst; Luce; Old Havana Cigar Bar; Paprika; Queen’s Park Oval; Sails (Chaguaramas); Siam; Trotters; Tzar; Vas; and Zanzibar Heading east: Sandbaggers (Trincity); and Trevor’s Edge (St Augustine) Around San Fernando: Hi RPM; Privé; and Space La Nouba. And LOTS more…
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