The history of trinidad culture

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"I want to welcome each of you to the wedding today. It is a true testament to the bride and groom that you have taken time from your busy schedule to come and witness their marriage. I have never seen a more beautiful bride than Linda, and Paul looks just plain proud, doesn’t he?"

The island of Trinidad is one of the southernmost islands in the Caribbean. At one time, the island has been occupied by the Spanish, French, Dutch, English and Courlanders. Each country's occupation has left a mark on the Trinidadian culture that still remains today. The various influx of country occupation has created a melting pot of cultures that influence the island's food, architecture, ethnic relations and other parts of life in Trinidad.

1. Daily Food

   • The French left their mark on the nation of Trinidad with creole dishes such as stewed chicken, white rice, red beans, fried plantains and homemade ginger beer. The Indian influence creeps in with the daily consumption of items such as curried chicken, potatoes, channa (chick peas), white rice and roti (an Indian flatbread). Chinese chow mein, creole dishes and Indian food are all considered national dishes of Trinidad and are consumed on a daily basis by its residents.

   Architecture

   • Throughout the different cities of Trinidad, you can see how the different occupations of the island have influenced its public buildings as well as residential homes. It's like a clash of modern times with old colonial times. High-rise office buildings made of glass and steel sit alongside colonial houses. Colonial homes are also neighbors to modern mansions. Colonialism still reigns in government, with a colonial-style building that houses Parliament. There's also the colonial style of Woodford Square, which is the home to political rallies on the island. Some residential neighborhoods are even reminiscent of suburban America, with ranch-style homes making up entire neighborhoods.

   Ethnic Relations

   • When Trinidad was occupied by the British, its colonial way of life created a clear division of labor by ethnicity. The whites were the plantation owners. The Chinese and Portuguese were in trading occupations. The blacks worked in manual labor professions and the East Indians were into farming and agriculture. This division of labor and way of life kept ethnic groups from mingling, which created an even bigger division when it came to politics.

     During the oil boom of the 1970s, Trinidad expanded in many ways, including allowing its Indian population to become educated and fill the role of some of the lower-level state jobs. With a higher standard of living for everyone in the country, the government nationalized several industries, including sugar, which employed mainly Indians. By 1986, black-Indians had formed their own coalition party and by 1995 an Indian-based party brought the country's first Indo-Trinidadian prime minister to the island nation. While there has never been any violent ethnic strife, the lines drawn between all the ethnic groups on the island still exists in daily life today.

   Food Customs

   • Food is one of the main central points of customary celebrations such as weddings. The ethnic diversity of the island inhabitants seeps into the foods that are customarily offered at major celebrations and events. For example, there are some areas of Trinidad that still abide by the customary Indian food taboos and customs. More modern times have eliminated the food taboo in other areas dominated by the Indian culture. With all the differences that exist in Trinidad, food is the common element to all Hindu, Muslim, Christian and other celebrations.

   Marriage

   • Marriage traditions are as varied as the food and ethnicity of this diverse, yet segregated nation. Not only do marriage traditions and practices vary by the ethnicity of the couple, but it also varies according to the class of the husband and wife. Marriage is a religious institution to the middle and upper classes, while it is more a legal unity for the Hindus and Muslims (influenced by the late colonial period). Afro-Trinidadians tend to participate in common-law marriages during the beginning of a relationship and in later years have a formal marriage ceremony. Since blacks have been suppressed by stereotypes that have followed them since colonial times, interracial marriages between Indians and blacks is almost nonexistent.

Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: colonial times, country occupation, creole dishes, division labor, ethnic groups