The Culture of Trinidad and Tobago

The culture of Trinidad and Tobago is a reflection of a creative and vibrant, ethnically mixed and cosmopolitan society.

The rhythmic sounds of the steelband music, the pulsating beat of the tassa drums, the entertaining calypsos and chutney songs, the romantic swaying of paranderos at parang time, all tell the tale of a people emerging from four centuries of colonialism, independence and republic rule.

The contribution of the East Indians to national cultural survival is of tremendous significance. The lighting up for Divali, the rhythmic swaying of the Holi Dancers at Phagwah, East Indian planting and harvesting songs, all bear open testimony to the rich cultural diversity of a people in a land where "every creed and race find an equal place." In a land where a blend of Spanish, French, English, African, East Indian, Chinese, Portuguese, Syrian and other minority groups tell the story of togetherness as a people, it is becoming more and more evident that programmes on culture must be given priority.

The Trinidad Carnival has been described in many circles as the "world‘s greatest festival." It continues to attract thousands of visitors yearly. Started from mere mockery of pre-colonial landlords by their `inferiors‘, the festival has grown into a rich reserve of craftsmanship, song and music that must today be the envy of many nations.

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