Trinidad is a small island that is located off of the coast of Venezuela.
In 1498 Columbus landed on the island and thereafter the majority of the population
who settled the island were Spanish. About a century later the natives to the island,
Arawak and Carib Indian, were almost wiped out due to diseases brought by the settlers
and the mistreatment the received as slaves. The others who survived gradually assimilated
into the Spanish population. The British captured the island in 1797 from the Spanish,
thereafter slaves brought to the island, as well as the other islands in the Caribbean
via in from the slave trade routes to the Americas. They were put to work on sugar cane
and cocoa plantations on the majority of the islands that are in the Caribbean. Under colonial
rule much of the same events that were taking place in the Americas were taking place on these islands
but perhaps at a faster pace. The slaves were treated just the same if not worst, because of the
climate and geography, which helped to produce an abundance of crops. Because of this
they were worked harder in the fields than were the slaves on plantations in the Southern America.
In order to not lose a sense of hope, the slaves found ways in their spare time to entertain themselves
and release some stress.
Where and how did it originate?
No one is for sure how, and where exactly Carnival originated but there are
some speculations. Some trace it back to the rites of ancient Greece while
others trace it back to the Christian calendar which marks the approach of
lent and it's strict sober discipline. Carnival comes from Latin which
simply means "Farewell to Flesh." Yet still others notice and attribute
most of the events' popularity due to the African rhythms which is an
essential part of the festivities. Theory claims that it started by the
working class and slaves of the colonial times, who mimicked the colonial
authorities at Carnival time with extravagant costumes because they wouldn't
be recognized. This was not only a way to entertain themselves and release stress
but also for all of the slaves to come together as a whole.
Carnival in Trinidad
Carnival is much more than just two days of masquerading in the streets.
The preparations for the next upcoming year begins the day after the festivities
have ended. The excitement can be felt the most beginning in January after
the holiday season has ended from around January 1st through Ash Wednesday.
Anyone who would like to experience the a taste of the Trini, Trinidad, culture should
visit during this time. In this timeframe and for the festival everyone comes
together in unity to celebrate. Ranks are forgotten, bygones are bygones and
the utopia of the different people in the crowd is just ecstatic. For a partygoer
in the time from January 1st until the festival begins parties or "fetes"
are too numerous to mention and occur on a nightly basis. Parties and parading
through the streets are not the only thing that takes place during Carnival.
There are a few more things that contribute to the festivities:
