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Trinidad and Tobago are the two most southerly islands in the Caribbean, within sight of the South American mainland. A twin island Republic, they form one of the most culturally diverse and ethnically mixed societies in the world.
Iere - Land of the Hummingbird - as Trinidad was called by the Caribs, was discovered on 01 August 1498 by Christopher Columbus. Renaming it Trinidad he claimed it for Spain. The unfriendly Amerindian population and ease of access to marauders from the South American mainland discouraged serious colonisation by Spain.
In the mid-eighteenth century, the Spanish Government encouraged immigration in order to develop Trinidad. The Cedula of Population of 1773 gave free grants of land to settlers provided only that they were Roman Catholic. The incentive encouraged the immigration of hundreds of families and their slaves, mainly from the revolution torn French islands and a few Irish families. Progress was rapid and Port of Spain developed as the capital and San Fernando a thriving port serving the sugar plantations of the south.
The Spanish defences were, however, inadequate and when in 1797 Sir Ralph Abercromby commanding a British naval force, arrived in the Gulf of Paria, the Commander of the Spanish fleet destroyed his ships rather than fight and the Spanish Governor capitulated. Trinidad became a British colony ruled by Spanish law with a French and African population.
In 1834 slavery was abolished. The resulting shortage of labour would have caused the collapse of the agricultural economy but for the introduction of indentured labour from Ireland, Portugal and China, but particularly from India. This importation of labour continued from 1845 to 1917. During this period, the religious, social and cultural heritage of India was superimposed on Trinidad's already diverse population. By 1980 nearly half of Trinidad and Tobago's population was Indian, equal in number to those of African decent.
In 1857 the first oil well was drilled in Trinidad, but it was only in the early part of the twentieth century that this resource was exploited and Trinidad's economy changed from agricultural to petroleum.
Tobago's history is very similar to Trinidad's being discovered by Columbus on the same voyage. Inhabited by Caribs and Arawaks, it was known as Kairi - the Melancholy. Later it became known by the Spanish as Tobaco later corrupted to Tobago. Because of its strategic position, Tobago was fought over by the Spanish, the Dutch, the Courlanders, the British and the French until 1763 when it was ceded to Britain by the Treaty of Paris. It is said that Tobago changed hands more often than any other Caribbean island.
Tobago joined Trinidad administratively in 1889 and as part of the twin island Crown Colony in 1899. Independence was gained in 1962 and Trinidad and Tobago became a Republic within the British Commonwealth in 1976. In 1980 Tobago was given the responsibility for its internal affairs with a separate House of Assembly elected by popular vote.
Trinidad and Tobago have pursued different yet complimentary paths. In Tobago fishing and agriculture have traditionally been the main sources of revenue, but it is also a vacationer's paradise with its friendly people, beautiful and unspoilt beaches, coral reefs and marine life, mountains and one of largest variety of tropical birds in the world. In September each year there is the Festival of Tobago Heritage recapturing the richness and colour of traditional life. Trinidad, with an economy based on petroleum and natural gas became the centre for industry, but with its beautiful beaches, swamps and bird sanctuaries, also provides excellent natural heritage sites for a thriving tourist industry.
Traditions and religious beliefs from each cultural group have been handed down over the generations, ranging from the Afro-Catholic Carnival and Canboulay, folk dancing, calypsos and stick-fighting of the slaves to the Pagwa and Divali celebrations of the Hindus, the Muslim's Eid ul Fitr and Hosay and the Spanish-Carib parang music. All are recognized as part of Trinidad and Tobago's heritage. It is also not uncommon to see an Afro -Trinidadian beating tassa drums, an Indian calypsonian or even Dvorak being played on steel pans as our cultures blend.
Trinidad and Tobago's architectural heritage ranges from religious structures - churches, mosques and mandirs - to neo-classical Government buildings and urban structures from the nineteenth century with cast iron balustrades and delicate wooden fretwork. Around the Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain are the eccentric early twentieth century mansions of the wealthy businessmen and planters with designs reflecting the cultural influences of the owners - English, French, Moorish, Indian and German among others.
Geoffrey MacLean 11 May 2009
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