A Hindu Wedding in Plum Mitan
Deep in the countryside of Trinidad, the tassa drums rang out as a large procession of mainly women walked along the semi-dark country road. It is Friday night in the village of Plum Mitan, not just an ordinary Friday night, but a big wedding is on Sunday and tonight is Maticoor night. It is the wedding of two Plum Mitan residents, Hansraj Ramlal and Annesa Bissram, and in the typical Hindu tradition, the wedding is an elaborate, religious and celebratory process that involves many people in the community.
Hosay in St. James
The commemoration of Hosay is a Shiite Muslim commemoration of the death of Imam Hussein and his brother Hassan (both grandsons of the Prophet Muhammad) at the Battle of Kerbala in Persia, now known as Iraq. The word Hosay comes from the name ‘Hussein’. Elsewhere in the Islamic world, on the day of Ashura, Shiites also commemorate the death of Imam Hussein.
Seventh Annual Orisa Rain Festival
This festival took place in the Shrine Gardens, Upper Gasparillo Rd., Santa Cruz, Trinidad. Participants from the U.S., Jamaica, Cuba, Bermuda, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago also took part in this Orisa festival. The Rain Festival brings people together to celebrate rebirth, commitment, understanding and responsibility in a physical and spiritual sense. The Rain Cycle serves to sensitise the entire nation of the importance and sacredness of the rain.
Wayne ‘Rafiki’ Morris Speaks: We are the solution
Wayne Morris, better known as Rafiki, is an accomplished muralist, painter, writer and poet. He was born in October 1956, and at the age of four years he was already revealing his artistic and literary potentials. In 1968, at the age of twelve, Rafiki was taking art classes at Morgan State University in Maryland, U.S.A. and covering the family home with his first murals. His professional artistic endeavors began in 1974 with the founding of “The New World Poets” and continued over the years into countless major programs and campaigns both nationally and internationally. Rafiki’s paintings have been exhibited in Washington, D.C., Baltimore and New York City. His local murals are located at U.W.I.’s (The University of the West Indies) JFK Memorial Auditorium; City Hall Port of Spain; San Fernando Art Center; Rudranath Capildeo Learning Resource Center, Couva; the Fairfield Complex and Bacolet Tobago. Rafiki is currently serving as Artistic Consultant and Designer for ‘The East of the River Pilot Project’, ‘Pan Theatre Project’ with Trinidad All Stars and the Ministry of Culture, the ‘Dragon’s Nest Project’ with the National Carnival Commission and the ‘Crosstown Carnival Committee’. Rafiki is also currently preparing to publish his second book of poems and short stories entitled, “Space Between the Hard Lines”.
Origins and Nature of Parang Music
Parang Music has long been associated with Christmas festivities. The word parang originally came from the word ‘paranda’ meaning merry making. Traditional parang bands made up of parenderos consist of singers and musicians who play the guitar, the mandolin, the cuatro, the violin, the maracs, the clapper, the box bass, the tambourine, the scratcher (güiro) and the toc-toc (claves). Other non-traditional instruments such as the dolak and the steelpan are sometimes included but this has caused some controversy within the Parang fraternity.
Brother Valentino: Life is a Stage
The Grenadian born Anthony Emrold Phillip, better known in the Calypso arena as ‘Brother Valentino’, has proven his worth as a riveting performer, expressing his political and social awareness through songs such as ‘Life is a Stage’, ‘Stay up Zimbabwe’ and ‘Dis Place Nice’. Brother Valentino has expressed his love for the Calypso artform, the struggles of aspiring Calypsonians, as well as the behind the scenes ordeals of Calypsonians. Valentino walks us through his life experiences and the ups and downs of the Calypso world, which is largely unknown by those outside the realm. Valentino tells it as it is.
The Story of Hosay: Dancing the Moon
Mr. Michael Goring is considered one of the most informed Elders on the St. James Hosay. Our recorded interview with him allows us to share his story of the local Hosay. Mr. Goring also shares some of his views on life in general.