TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

        National Holidays in Trinidad and Tobago are more in number than most countries, yet given the excuse, there would be the spontaneous ones that lend to "masquerading with music and all" in the streets. It takes, very little, if any effort to bring out the "carnival" mentality of the people ... afterall, Trinidad's carnival, with all its innovative creativity, is the "Greatest Show on Earth" ... if even its Republic Day, Good Friday or Divali. Fact is, to most it is the "fete" and "not the significance" that matters.

    There is, it would seem an effort by government, strongly advocated by the business sector, to keep the national holiday numbers down and within recent years, Discovery Day was replaced by Emancipation Day from August 1, 1985, Republic Day (September 24) by Shouter Baptists Liberation Day from March 30,1996 and Whit Monday gave way to the Arrival Day from May 30,1994. There are, also those who vehemently protest the removal of any existing public holiday, including Republic Day

    Each holiday, in this multi cultural, multi racial and multi religious society bears strong significance to one or all sections of the people but none has a wider appeal than Christmas, even though it is not observed on Christ's birthday.

    Apart from Carnival Days (Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday), which are practically non-working days, except eating and drinking places, the public holidays are as follows:

Christianity based. Observed as the anniversary of the crucifixion of Christ. This dates back to the 13th centurt and it is a public holiday, here and in some states of the U.S.

Soparee Mai ki Mela

Although the granting of the "Good Friday" public holiday had nothing to do with this; on this day in Siparia in south Trinidad ... and no other part of the world ... East Indians, and Hindus in particular, flock the La Divina Pastora Church to pay homage to 'Soparee Mai", perhaps the only "black" statue of the Roman Catholic church.

Sr. Marie-Therese writing in her "Parish Beat" the statue originated in Seville, Spain in 1703 when the Blessed Lady appeared to a Capuchin known as Venerable Isidore and ordered him to spread devotion to her under the title of Our Lady Mother of the Good Shepherd. The Capuchin Order made this devotion their own and in 1795, Pope Pius VI named the Divina Pastora, the special patroness of the Capuchin mission.

In 1715 the devotion was introduced in Venezuela and isubsequently the statue was brought to Trinidad.

Writes Sr. Marie-Therese

On Good Friday Hindus literally take over Siparia. On Holy Thursday night and all through Good Friday they come, trim their children's hair, making their offerings and bring candles and oil to be burnt in the church.
Last Update 9:06AM 9/29/97Last Update 9:07AM 9/29/97

Easter Monday Religious: March-April Christianity based. Dates back to before the 12th century. Observed as a feast that commemorates Christ's resurrection and is observed with variations of date due to different calendars on the first Sunday after the paschal full moon.	Spiritual Baptist Liberation Day Religious: March 30 Christianity based. Proclaimed a Public Holiday in 1996. Marks the inauguration of the practice of Spiritual Baptist. Replaced Republic Day (Sept. 24) Holiday.
Last Update 3:45PM 9/30/97	Last Update 3:46PM 9/30/97

Whit Monday Religious: April-May Christianity based. Dates back to 1557. It is the day after Whit-Sunday and observed as a legal holiday in England, Wales, and Ireland and here until it was replacedby Arrival Day from 1994

Corpus Christi Religious: April-May Christianity based. Middle English, from Medieval Latin, literally, body of Christ Dates back to the 14th century It is the Thursday after Trinity and is observed as a Roman Catholic festival in honor of the Eucharist. It is observed as a Christian sacrament in which consecrated bread and wine are consumed as memorials of Christ's death or as symbols for the realization of a spiritual union between Christ and communicant or as the body and blood of Christ

Last Update 9:06AM 9/29/97

Last Update 9:07AM 9/29/97

Indian Arrival Day Sectional: May 30 Proclaimed a Public Holiday in 1995 as "Arrival Day" and changed to "Indian Arrival Day" in 1996. Marks the arrival of the first shipment of "Indentured East Indians Immigrants" on May 30, 1845 on the ship Fatel Razack. This holiday replaced Whit Monday in 1994. In previous years, however, descendants of the indentured East Indians marked the occasion in several parts of the country, enacting the landing and honouring those who came and were alive to this day. Last shipment of East Indian indentured immigrants came in November 1917.

Emancipation Day Sectional: August 1 First celebrated as a Public Holiday 1985. Marks the abolishment of slavery in Trinidad as from "August 1, 1834." It was on this day that "freed but apprenticed" slaves marched into Port of Spain demanding total freedom. Slave trade was abolished in the Colonies by the British in 1808 but it was not until 1833 an Act was passed, declaring all slaves to be free. To avoid adversely afftecting the economy by this change, the Government decided that ex-slaves must serve an apprenticeship for Six years if working on land, or Four years if working as a domestic. The apprenticeship period was later shortened but not before the protests of August 1, 1834.

Last Update 3:49PM 9/30/97

Last Update 4:02PM 9/30/97

Labour Day National: June 19 This Day first became a public Holiday on June 19, 1972 to mark the Labour Riots of 1937. It was the birth of organised labour. Annual celebrations are held at Fyzabad ... Charlie King Junction ... where it all started, when police attempted to arrest Tubal Uriah Buzz Butler.	Independence Day National: August 31 Granting of Independence by Britain. It ws mid-night on August 31, 1962 that the British Union Jack ... red, white and blue ... came down and Trinidad and Tobago's national flag ... red, white and black ... went up at the Red House in Port of Spain to mark the change.
Last Update 3:51PM 9/30/97	Last Update 9:07AM 9/29/97

Republic Day National: Scrapped First celebrated in 1976. On March 29, 1976, assent was given to an Act to establish the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago with effect from August 1, 1976. September 24, however, was proclained as the Republic Day holiday. Some political pundits, however, hold that September 24 has no relevance to any outstanding history of Trinidad and Tobago except to mark the one-lead victory of the PNM at the September 24, 1956 General Election. First sitting of Parliament under the Republican constitution. This holiday, however, was discontinued in 1996 when the Spiritual Baptist Liberation Day was added to the list of Public Holidays but several sections of the community continue to hold celebrations on September 24. As at 9:12AM 9/29/97 the President, His Excellency A.N.R. Robinson appealed to celebrate Republic Day even if it was no public holiday.Prime Minister Basdeo Panday shares the view to observe Republic Day with prayers etc. but not holiday

Divali Day Religious: Announcement Hindu based. First proclaimed and celebrated as a Public Holiday in 1966. Celebrated around October-November, Divali ... short for Deepavali ... is known as the "Festival of Lights." This is one of the more popular Hindu festival, when homage is paid to Mother Laxsmi, goddess of prosperity, with the lighting of myriads of deyas. It involves not only fasting, cleaning of the home but a series of planned celebrations throughout the island. Largest venues, however are at Divali Nagaar in Caroni and the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha headquarters at St. Augustine. Deepavali in Sanskrit means "row of lighted lamps", is one of the most important Hindu festivals. It falls on the Amavasya of the month of Kartik every year in the Hindu calender. By the English or Western Calendar this festival generally occurs over a period that covers the last week of October to the first half of the month of November. The Festival signifies the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, justice over injustice and intelligence over ignorance. The goddess worshipped at Divali is Mother Lakshmi or Lakshmi Mata. Lakshmi Mata is the goddess of light, wealth and beauty and is also associated with prosperity, luck, riches, abundance, financial well being, and generosity.

Last Update 8:41AM 10/4/97

Last Update 4:04PM 9/30/97

Eid-ul-Fitr Religious: Announcement Islam based. First observed as a Public Holiday in 1967. Muslims religious observance following a month (Ramadan) of fasting. Apart from services in the Mosque, charity is distributed to thousands of needy. The Eid-ul-Fitr day is the first day of the tenth month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar, and one of the major feast days of the World Islam. The day of Eid-ul-Fitr has been chosen for National celebration out of a number of other perhaps more Islamic occasions. The day of Eid-ul-Adha marks the sacrifice of his first born by Father Abraham. Muslims in Trinidad also religiously observe this day but it is not a public holiday as in Guyana.

Christmas Day Religious: December 25 Christianty based. Mark the birth of "Jesus Christ." General this day is enjoyed by all, regardless of religious persuasion and particularly by children who are the recepients of toys.

Last Update 8:50AM 10/4/97

Last Update 9:07AM 9/29/97

Boxing Day Tradition: December 26 English tradition when the "gentry" would distribute sweets and gifts etc. to their servants in neatly wrapped boxes. The tradition was practised in early Trinidad but has gradually died ... if not completely disappeared ... but the holiday remains. Outings including sea bathing, visiting families and friends and sports .... scattered in villages with the popular "ham-pole" ... including horse racing, are some of the popular activities.

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Last Update 9:06AM 9/29/97

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