By Dr. Kwame Nantambu
November 02, 2006
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog
Now that the Divali and Eid celebrations have ended, it is this citizen’s civic responsibility to opine on the nature, respect, acceptance and tolerance of ethnic expressions in T’n’T.
At the outset, it must be stated that the current playing field is not one on which every ethnicity finds an equal place. The reality of ethnic reciprocity just does not exist vis-a-vis each other’s annual celebrations.
More specifically, between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on every Divali and Eid annual days, Indian-Trinbagonian’s eating outlets experience “a run” on roti skins (they are completely sold out every year on these days) are by design and not by accident.
The fact of the matter is that 99.9 per cent of the customers who “buy out” these roti skins are Afrikan-Trinbagonians. That’s a proven fact— an annual ethnic disparity.
However, the reverse is just not true on Afrikan Emancipation Day. On 1st August every year, Indian-Trinbagonians do not reciprocate and “buy out” pelau and other “Creole” dishes. There is no “run” on these foods. That’s a proven fact— an annual ethnic disparity.
There is no ethnic reciprocity in T’n’T.
Furthermore, during Divali and Eid TV programmes, both Indian and Afrikan-Trinbagonian moderators wear Indian sari and shalwar outfits. However, the ethnic reverse is just not true during Afrikan Emancipation Day TV programmes. Female Indian-Trinbagonian moderators do not wear Afrikan outfits.
In addition, during Divali and Eid celebrations, female Afrikan-Trinbagonian participants can be seen proudly wearing Indian sari and shalwar outfits. The reverse is just not true on the part of female Indian-Trinbagonian participants proudly wearing Afrikan daishiki outfits during Afrikan Emancipation Day celebrations.
The fact of the matter is that some Indian-Trinbagonian public servants refuse to attend and/or take part in any Afrikan Emancipation Day programmes in their respective ministries. That’s a fact – an annual ethnic reality.
The question that comes to mind: where are ethnic acceptance, ethnic tolerance, ethnic respect, ethnic parity as Trinbagonians seek national unity?
The nature of TV programming also smacks of ethnic disparity. One just has to take a cursory look at the in depth analysis and coverage that is done to highlight the potent intellectual, religious, historical and familial-cultural aspects of Indian life during these celebrations. There is always a certain solemnity that is the spinal cord of these presentations.
Furthermore, the language used in these TV programmes and movies is the original Hindi tongue of Mother India. In addition, during chutney shows around these celebrations, the original Hindi tongue of Mother India is also used.
This Hindi tongue is respected, accepted, tolerated and appreciated by all Trinbagonians, irrespective of ethnicity. Trinbagonians all wave and put their hands “in ah de air” during these Divali and Eid cultural-musical shows.
The ethnic reverse is just not true in the case of all Trinbagonians during Afrikan Emancipation Day cultural musical shows. How many Indian-Trinbagonians attend, wave and put their hands “in ah de air” at musical -cultural Afrikan Emancipation Day shows?
Circa 12 October 2006, Trinbagonians of all ethnicities attended cultural musical shows put on by Chinese-Trinbagonians (at Queen’s Hall, for example). These Chinese-Trinbagonian entertainers performed in the original tongue of Mother China. And Trinbagonians sat for over three hours to accept, tolerate, respect and appreciate these great performances.
The stark reality is that Indian-Trinbagonians and Chinese-Trinbagonians have not lost the original tongue of Mother India or Mother China. Afrikan-Trinbagonians are the only major ethnic group in T’n’T that has lost the original tongue of its Motherland, that is, Mother Afrika.
As such, it need occasion no great surprise that when Afrikan-Trinbagonian entertainers perform Calypso and Soca during Afrikan Emancipation Day musical-cultural shows, they sing in the tongue of their former European colonizer and slave master. There is no distinct, unique Afrikan linguistic identity except when Ella Andall performs.
In this specific regard, one wonders whether Trinbagonians of all ethnicities would sit through over three hours of entertainment by Afrikan-Trinbagonians who perform in original Afrikan Yoruba, Kiswahili tongues just as they did during Indian-Chinese Trinbagonian performances?
One wonders whether local TV stations would air several hours of programmes and movies in these original Afrikan tongues during the week preceding Afrikan Emancipation Day as they have done for other ethnicities?
One also wonders why Afrikan-Trinbagonian entertainers automatically feel compelled to wear a hat to conceal/hide their dreadlocks when they perform in T’n’T, including at Dimanche Gras finals and even at Afrikan Emancipation Day shows? Why does the average Afikan-Trinbagonian male or female also automatically feel compelled to wear a hat to conceal/hide his/her dreadlocks in public?
Does the constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago ban the wearing of dreadlocks in public?
What entity in society has warned/threatened/informed Afrikan-Trinbagonians that their dreadlocks are not only unacceptable but also anathema, antithetical and inimical to human values and personal decorum in T’n’T? Are the Afrikan-Trinbagonians who wear dreadlocks an ethnic liability, albeit an endangered species in T’n’T?
What entity in society has decreed that dreadlocks do not represent/reflect “good hair”?.
Why are Afrikan-Trinbagonians who wear dreadlocks made to feel ashamed, inferior, albeit an excluded social outcast group in T’n’T – and most times by fellow Afrikan-Trinbagonians? “The Black man is his worst enemy.”
On the flip side, one wonders why society allows Indian-Trinbagonians not only to show off but also to be proud of their long, flowing black hair in public?
One wonders why it was okay and acceptable for Chris Garcia to perform “Chutney Bacchanal” as a guest artiste during a past Dimanche Gras show while proudly displaying and showing off his long, flowing Indian black hair?
One wonders why it is okay and acceptable for Denyse Plummer to perform at Dimanche Gras finals while proudly displaying and showing off her long, flowing blonde hair and/or braids?
One wonders why it is okay and acceptable for Edwin Ayoung (“Crazy”) to perform at Dimanche Gras finals also proudly displaying and showing off his long, flowing Black-Chinese hair?
On the other hand, however, the ethnic reverse is not true.
Why did Ras Kommanda have to conceal/hide his dreadlocks under a hat when he performed at a same past Dimanche Gras finals?
Why did Ella Andall have to conceal/hide her dreadlocks under a hat when she performed “Missing Generation” at a past Dimanche Gras finals?
Why does Singing Sandra, a former Calypso Monarch, still feel compelled to conceal/hide her dreadlocks under a hat every time she performs at Dimanche Gras finals? Apparently her dreadlocks are not okay and unacceptable.
Why does Leroy “Black Stalin” Calliste, a former calypso monarch, still feel compelled to conceal/hide his grey dreadlocks under a hat whenever he performs in TnT?
The above litany compels this sane Trinbagonian to ask the following crucial questions: (i) Why don’t Indian-Trinbagonian Chutney entertainers feel compelled to conceal/hide their original, long-flowing black Indian hair when they perform before Trinbagonians of all ethnicities? and (ii) Do Afrikan-Trinbagonian entertainers sense some modicum of covert disdain, displeasure and even discomfort towards their original Afrikan hair style when they perform before Trinbagonians, especially Afrikan-Trinbagonians?
Who has determined what is “good hair” in T’n’T?
Did anything happen in 1970?
Indeed, now is the crucial time to expunge the cancer of ethnic disparity in T’n’T if this Republic hopes to achieve any scintilla of national unity. Ethnic disparity cannot bring about national unity; it only fosters and breeds divisiveness, vindictiveness, jealousy, self-hate and eventual self-destruction. “None of us is free until all of us are free” from ethnic disparity.
Let it be recalled that the historical record clearly shows that the individuals who colonized and enslaved Afrikans sans a contract or paid wages from 1516-1834 (38) had good sounding European Christian names and “good hair.”
Let the historical record reveal that the individuals who colonized and enslaved the contracted and wages – paid Indians – also had good-sounding European Christian names and “good hair.”
As a result of these common historical denominators, now is the time for all Trinbagonians to absolve this polyglot Republic of ethnic disparity.
In the final analysis, until ethnic disparity is expunged from T’n’T’s society and body politic, then national unity “will remain but a fleeting illusion to be pursued but never attained.”
Shem Hotep (“I go in peace”).
Dr. Kwame Nantambu is a part-time lecturer at Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies and University of the West Indies.
http://www.trinicenter.com/kwame/2006/0211.htm
Trinidad and Tobago News Blog’s URL for this article:
www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog/?p=103
Maybe that’s the problem with the citizens of Trinidad&Tobago.We are made to think more of Mother Africa and Mother Indian and not enough of Mother Trinidad&Tobago, where we were born and the culture and country we should be thinking off.
It’s generally those from outside the country and those that wish to be indentified more with the so called Mother countries bring ethnic separation as they have fostered same.
What and unfortunate comment! There is no such thing as Mother Trinidad and Tobago as this nation did not give birth to its people, and apart from Steelband and Calypso Trinidad and Tobago does not have a unifying culture.
I have just returned to home base(Houston,TX) after doing a presentation called”Journeys of Migration” to SIETAR-an international gathering of Interculturalists, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There were people ther from as far away as Australia and JApan. Everyone I met who had been in contact with a Trinbagonian, recognized us as a distinct people, a blend of African,Chinese,European and Indian that is unique to us. Everyone wantedto tell me about the Trini they were at college with, taught in college, or was their neighbour in the company or community.
This was unsought tribute. They gravitated to my oice, and biography printed in the brochure.
We are a distinct people. We do not see it because we are busy looking elsewhhere for validation. Others aee it. Corporations sending people to work in TnT see it ansd provide specific training.
You are incorrect in saying that at Divali and Eid the roti skins are bought out by people of African origins. You plainly say that it is a “Fact.” Where do you collect your data from? Does the CSO survey roti shops? Growing up in an Indian household, I can tell you that with the amount of preperations that go into Divali and Eid celebrations, many housewives opt to buy roti as it saves several hours of work. A family who will feed guests at Eid and Divali time will buy over 100 roti skins.
I agree with you that around emancipation day, you do not see indian people wearing african garb. And I agree with you that it would be a good gesture for them to wear such attire.
I have to take issue with you about your comments on the languages. Both Chines and Indians can have programmes and TV shows and music in the the tongue of their forefathers because many of them (moreso Chinese) send their children to language lessons. Children who go to Hindu school learn hindi there and at home in the very prayers they say. Again, here you have no basis for “wondering” in a rethorical way if people of other ethnicities would sit through a 3 hour programme performed in any african language.
Also, you failed to point out that just as many people of african origin who enjoy other cultures in Trinidad, are those laugh and mock the heratige of Indians and Chinese. I never heard a Chutney song mocking Africans but I’ve heard of Calypsoes mocking Indians and Chinese….you may want to ask, “where is the reciprocation now?”
First I would like to comment on the reciprocity of respect and appreciation for cultures in T&T. Eventhough i’m not a Trinbogonian, I do agree with Dr. Nantambu’s article to a certain degree. Part of the problem lies also with the African-Trinbogonians as well. There’s a lack of pride of the African Heritage. Those that do take the traditional African culture (which can varies depending on the region) serious are often mocked and ridiculed by their African peers.
Secondly concerning the covering of ones locks (not dreadlocks, there’s a history with the word dread which sadly most people don’t know about, but yet yes the term). You’ve missed possible other important reason for their choice to cover their locks. Different rasta houses have different rules, I know the TToI (Twelve Tribes of Israel) doesn’t have a strict rule concerning this matter, but the BoboShanti and others on the other hand do.
Concerning the Trinbogonian culture. I wholeheartedly agree there’s no such thing. Music alone doesn’t make a culture, rules, laws etc are needed in order to call it a culture and it has to be unique not a reproduction of another. The reason why Trinidad is looked upon (and for the most part all west-indian nations/ countries) for their manner in dealing with ethnic relations, is because the caribbean to a certain degree have managed to incorporate all ethnicities in the state, contrary to the western world. Part of this is because most people in the caribbean have a shared history, that of oppression.
The superficial practice of dressing up for these two phoney holidays is highly questionable and undesireable. Those of us who live abroad realize that Trinidadians are perceived as having a distinct and unique culture, quite different from people from India or Africa.Nationals of India are quick to point out how unlike them we are. Africa is even more confusing since it consists of numerous countries , cultures and languages in one continent.How does one decide which African country’s costume to wear? Trinidadians should simply accept the facts of their historical conditioning. They are all products of Western colonial culture and their actions and choices prove that” they like it so”.
It is time to get rid of these ethnic holidays and simply declare one Heritage Day, when the unique cultural characteristics of the nation could be celebrated with special regard to the origins of all sub-groups within the nation.
this is the second article tha i have read from Dr.Kwame and they both have something to do with racial issues.
It seems to me that he has some issues integrating with the rest of the trinbagonians.
I would recommend that he lifts his head up and enjoy life instead of looking for problems that are not there.
While I will continue to argue that we are a distinct people, we did not drop from a hollow tree as my mother used to say of wayward children in the village. We originated in India and Africa, and our language is English with some Spanish and French expressions.
I would not want to do awway with the living history lessons of Divali, Eid and Emancipation Day. In fact, the African Union has adopted Emancipation Day as an international day of recognition of the freedom of all peoples. We led the way to that. Ghana was the first to support us in Emancipation Day. The fact that we have moved from ridicule for the first few years, to delegations coming from elsewhere to both celebration and trade, is a good thing. Although we seak English, we are not English. We eat American style fast food these last few years. but we are not American. Only Trinidad and Tobago can embrace so many people and make them truly one. When I read articles by Dr. Julian Kenny and Dr. David Bratt, I do not see white people talking, but concerned Trinis, whose journeys of migration were different, and yet similar.
I am for continuing to celebrate all our ethnicities, and if there was a school for teaching the Yoruba or Kwi languages, I would encourage Afro-Trinidadiand to go, just as I was glad that the Mohawk people of Eastern Canada succeeded in getting their language re-introduced to their children. The world is a much bigger, and at the same time much smaller place than we imagine, and there is room in TnT for all the people(not the politicians) to dwell together in a unity that recognizes shared and divergent backgrounds.
Now, on the business of covered heads: All my African friends,at ceremonial occasions, cover their heads. Both men and women do this. After a certain age, all African peple cover their heads when they do ceremonies. It could be that those performing at folk festivals like Calypso Contests are covering their heads to invoke the power of the moment. All Spiritual Baptist women appear in public with their heads covered. I have never known one who did not. Of course, they do not sing calypsoes, but I am certain the head covering is not because they are ashamed of their dreads. My nephew, a medical doctor, wears dreads, so does my play-nephew, an engineer. Neither of them cover their heads at any time that I have seen. My niece, who only eats vegetables and fish, covers her more than foot long dreads everywhere outside of her house, just as Muslim women from the Middle East and Africa do.Just as Orthodox Jewish women, and the Amish do. A research project if anyone is interested.
oh doctor please! go back to the novel black skin white skin, do a role reversal.don’t you see the redicule and hostility towards an indian person from your people if he/she is seen wearing afro garb.
tell your people to make emancipation more welcoming for us and we will show up. how? less hostility from cudjoe and company.you sir do need to get around.
a hat on dreadlocks is simply a fashion statement, not a complex,in sando i don’t know any one can imagine stalin without a cap.roti and peleau are national dishes man.
when i see you advocate for more indians in the armed services,plead with more africans to emulate petronella manning and become doctors,
public housing for indians also i will know you are serious about disparity.
if you are really serious sir,don’t let this be your final article onthe subject.
peace out.
Are you serious?
I thought people who read for a PhD would have developed an intellectual capacity to discern between outright racism and cultural preferences. Though I might agree that hair type may have influenced fashion 50 years ago, locks work in favour now! And what if one likes his hair to be blowing in the wind? That’s cool as well so do it and be whatever you want even if your hair is jet black!
The point being missed is that despite an Afro Government being in power Africans continue to be discrimanated against more than in the past 30 years. residents from the Beetham cannot put thier address on job applications, Sea Lots residents cannot own the land that they have lived on for the past 50 years even though the rest of us are entitled to ownership after 20 years, Police stand between roadways and fire high powered rifles at 0550 AM into thier neighbourhoods with no regard to the babies, infants, children, mothers and aged who lie helpless and pray to God that the police bullets or resulting gunfire does not land on them and thier families ( I have witnessed this), and they are not entitled to playgrounds, commumity playing fields, schools, and DEEDS.
Yes, there is racism, and as long as there is insecurity peoples will turn inward for survival; but is our enemy the Africans, the Indians or the politicians who thrive on separists and perpetrate injustices on our citizens to stay in power by perpetuating ethnic devision.
I know a young man 22 years of age with a five year child living with her mother in another neighbourhood. Because he is from a “rough” neighbourhood and his baby mother is from another which is polarized, he cannot visit his only child that he loves, and the bewildered infant cannot see the father. Now tell me, where is the equity for these poor souls? Stop the racist mentality and useless debate so your hearts can hear the cries. The inequity in Trinidad is not only about ethnic origins, we now have a political elitist organization that marginalizes “those people” as second class.
By the way, I am not Afro, Indian, or Chinese. What matters is that I am ready to stand up for rightiousness in my country.
God’s Blessings and save your breath for the good fight. God Bless Trinidad and Tobago.
We are separated because too many of us seek to separate.
I agree with Andre to a degree. No one should knowingly deny their history. However, in order for Trinibagonians to move forward, they should place less emphasis on where they are from and more on where they are at. I believe if everyone works together to identify what is “Trini”, we will have a inclusive description of who we really are.
I know exactly what Miss Edwards was talking about. In the U.S. if you are” Trini”, and meet a Yankee who doesn’t know you, but knows that you’re a “Trini”, they do not know about the racial turmoil and war being waged in the country. To them, we are all “Trini”. It is we who decide to separate one another. It is pure nonsense. We can never be a unified nation if we don’t unify. People who don’t want to assimilate to one greater norm need to leave. That’s the difference between the Yankee experience and in TNT. They have a greater social norm that most subscribe to.