Fall in Love with OUR FESTIVALS

By Bavina Sookdeo

INTER-RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL

La Divina Pastora (Soparee K Mai)

She is known to bring individuals of two major religions – Christians and Hindus –together and many believe that she grants wishes and performs miracles. She is none other than La Divina Pastora, The Holy Shepherdess, an ebony statue that stands in the La Divina Pastora Roman Catholic Church in Siparia. Many foreigners come just in time for Good Friday to witness and join with the thousands who make the pilgrimage to the church.

After a few weeks, the Holy Shepherdess’ statue is ornately dressed and paraded through the streets, followed by a grand procession in celebration of the feast of La Divina Pastora.

Friday 7th April (Good Friday)

Contact: La Divina Pastora Roman Catholic Church 649-2204

CHRISTIAN FESTIVALS

Popular Christian festivals include Christmas, Easter, the observance of Ash Wednesday and Corpus Christi. St Peter’s Day is also popular for Roman Catholics. An annual procession is held in many seaside villages including Chaguaramas, Cedros and Moruga. The Carenage RC Church and community host an annual procession to the sea, accompanied by the steel pan, where fishermen’s boats are then blessed by the local priest.

St Peter’s Day

Thursday 29th June, 2023

Contact: Carenage RC Church 637-8309

Falling in love with Trinidad and Tobago is certain after you’ve experienced the islands many multi-cultural festivals

Christmas

Christmas takes on a unique look with delicious Pastelles, Ponche-de-crème and Parang music. Midnight mass is usually held at many churches throughout both islands.

December 25th

HINDU FESTIVALS

Divali (or Diwali)

During this season, thousands of deyas (small clay lamps filled with oil and a wick made of cotton) are lit across the country in homes, parks as well as Hindu temples, in celebration of Divali. Mother Lakshmi is worshipped and homes readied in preparation for family dinners. According to the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated on the 15th day of Kartika (October/November).

*November 12th, 2023

Contact: SDMS - 645-3240

Ramleela

The re-enactment of Lord Rama, the Hindu God of the Universe, and his time on Earth, Ramleela is celebrated with much joy. This 10-day festival is celebrated during the Hindu period known as ‘Nowraatam’ (Navratri) in the month of Ashwin (SeptemberOctober). The festivities culminate with the burning of monumental effigies of Raavan, a defeated villain.

Celebrated in the month of Ashwin (September-October)

Contact: National Ramleela Council https://www.facebook.com/NRCTT/

Ganesh Utsav

Usually between the months of August and September, Ganesh Utsav is celebrated. Ganesha is the Hindu God commonly known as the remover of obstacles. Ganesh murtis (clay models) are built and painted with environmentallyfriendly materials and sizeable processions carry them to the temples. On the final day of this 10-day festival, the murti is taken to the river where it is reimmersed.

*September 19th, 2023

Contact: SDMS - 645-3240

(LEFT PAGE)

Emancipation Day

Ganga Dhaaraa

Hosay

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First Peoples Heritage Celebrations

Los Paranderos de UWI

Annual Heritage Masquerade

Phagwa

Phagwa was brought here by Hindus from Bihar, India, who came to work as indentured labourers. During Phagwa colourful liquids and powder called ‘abeer’ are showered on participants in open fields. A type of singing known as Chowtal only adds to the joyful Holi festivities.

March 8th, 2023

Contact: SDMS - 645-3240

ISLAMIC FESTIVALS

Ramadan and Eid Ul Fitr

The holy month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is a period during which Muslims fast, give charity and pray while they focus on self-sacrifice. After the month has ended, Eid Ul Fitr is celebrated. On this day, Muslims join in prayer at mosques throughout the country. They visit friends and relatives, and also alms are given to the poor.

Ramadan starts: March 22nd, 2023.

Eid Ul Fitr holiday: *April 22nd, 2023.

Contact: Mosques and Islamic bodies in T&T including ASJA - 671-8250, 652-6061; Ahmadiyya Muslim Community 33 Polo Ground Road Extension, Preysal.

Hosay

Hosay was originally a ceremony practised only by the Shiites (a Muslim sect). Today, many Trinidadians join in the celebration. For the festival, which takes place in areas such as St. James, Cedros and Tunapuna, there are various nights which include Tassa drumming, dancing and Tadjahs (mosque-like structures) processions. The day after Big Tadjah night, the Tadjahs are cast into the sea or river while prayers are recited.

July 28th, 2023

Contact: St James/Cocorite Hosay Association on Facebook

ORISHA FESTIVAL

Odun Egungun

The Orisha Faith celebrates this day after centuries of African enslavement and religious persecution. The Ile Ijosin Otura Meji Awon Osun organises the annual festival where sacred rituals are performed. As the spirits of the ancestors manifest through the Egungun, performers are attired in robes and masks; a lively street procession follows in Port of Spain and other communities.

SPIRITUAL BAPTIST CELEBRATION Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day

This day is celebrated on March 30th every year. The Spiritual Shouter Baptists were banned from practising their religion for years by the colonial government, as a result, they met in secrecy. In the 1920s and 1930s, their fight was gaining strength. On March 30th, 1951, Grenadian-born Elton George Griffith was determined to have the Prohibition Ordinance repealed. In 1996, the Spiritual Shouter Baptists were granted an annual public holiday.

Thursday 30th March, 2023

Contact: All Spiritual Shouter Baptist Churches in T&T

MULTICULTURAL Emancipation Day

Many gather on this auspicious day in Trinidad and Tobago’s history for the Canboulay procession through the streets of the nation’s capital, Port of Spain. In 1985, T&T became the first country in the world to commemorate the abolition of slavery. Emancipation Day continues to grow in size and popularity, featuring lectures, workshops and concerts mostly concentrated around the LidjYasu Omowale Emancipation Village in the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Tuesday 1st August, 2023

Contact: Emancipation Support Committee 628-5008/628-9526

First Peoples Heritage Celebrations

The First Peoples of T&T are honoured every October by a week of festivities that showcase their culture. In Arima, the Amerindians honour ancestors and the earth through prayers and song. A procession is then led through the streets by Amerindian royalty, dressed in full regalia. Feasting and celebration follow.

Held for one week culminating on October 14th, 2023

Contact: Santa Rosa First Peoples: 664-1897 *some dates may vary

The Borough of Chaguanas comes alive with a grand, annual event known as Divali Nagar. The ninenight themed celebration has grown tremendously since it started in 1986. Hosted by the National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC), Divali Nagar is now deemed the only event of its kind in the Caribbean.

This grand exposition of Indian culture features everything from food to nightly shows that include singing, dancing, pageantry, competition and more...from classical to contemporary. The event has become so popular that it has attracted international food enthusiasts and even Bollywood stars. Several of those stars even graced the Divali Nagar stage and many of the local performers who made their debut have gone on to perform internationally.