Theme 1: The Indigenous peoples
there are 3 important groups of indigenous peoples we will be looking at
the taino, kalinago and maya
Trinidad's first people
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- Indigenous peoples have existed in Trinidad for as long as 7,000 years before the arrival of Columbus, and numbered at least 40,000 at the time of Spanish settlement in 1592.
- All of Trinidad was populated by several tribes, Trinidad being a transit point in the Caribbean network of indigenous trade and exchange.
- Amerindian tribes were referred to by various names: Yaio, Nepuyo, Chaima, Warao, Carinepogoto, Aruaca, Shebaio, Saluaio, etc.
- Amerindian words and place names survive into the present: the Caroni and Oropouche rivers; the Tamana and Aripo mountains; places such as Arima, Aripo, Paria, Arouca, Caura, Tunapuna, Tacarigua, Couva, Mucurapo, Chaguanas, Carapichaima, Guaico, Mayaro, Guayaguayare; flora such as cassava, maize, cacao, tobacco, and fauna such as manicou and Some of the place names refer to objects used by First Peoples: Guaico, an obvious adulteration of “guayuco” refers to what some call the “loin cloth” worn by First Peoples; Aripo is the name for the griddle used to cook cassava bread; Maracas, as you have already guessed, refers to the musical rattle. Some place names also remind us of the names of Indigenpus Peoples of the past: Chaguanas, Piarco (from Parico), Tamana.
- Trinidad’s Indigenous Peoples formed part of large regional island-to-island and island-to-mainland trading networks; the Warao of Venezuela, who still exist, were frequent visitors until only recent times.
- The First Peoples developed the canoe, the bow and arrow, and the ajoupa (the name of their housing structures).
- Indigenous Peoples' cuisine is enjoyed by many Trinidadians: Cassava bread and Farine; Warap; barbecued wild game; corn pastelles; coffee; cocoa; chardon beni.
- The Amerindians also gave Trinidad and Tobago its first major rebellion in the name of freedom: the Arena uprising of 1699, led by Cacique Bustamante.
- In 1783 Trinidad’s First Peoples were displaced from their lands to make way for the influx of French planters and their African slaves.
- Around 1786 the Mission of Arima was formed, and the Indigenous Peoples were to have had control of a maximum of 1,320 acres of land.
- A number of tribes were pressed into Arima, mostly Nepuyo, and generically referred to as either “Caribe” or “Indio” — Arima was the last Mission Town.
- Parang, utilizing both Spanish and Amerindian musical instruments, emerged from the conversion of the First Peoples, some argue.
- The Caribs in Arima converted to Catholicism, were led by a Titular Queen.
- The histories of major towns such as Arima and Siparia, two large former Amerindian Mission Towns, have given us Trinidad’s two oldest festivals: The Santa Rosa Festival of Arima, and La Divina Pastora in Siparia.
- The Santa Rosa First People Community is the currently the only organized group of people identifying with the First Peoples' identity and way of life.
- At least 12,000 people in Northeast Trinidad may be of Amerindian/First Peoples descent.
- Starting from 1976, with formal incorporation as a limited liability company organized under the Companies Act, the Santa Rosa First Peoples Community has developed into a formal organization.
- The Santa Rosa First People Community is led by a President/Chief (Ricardo Bharath Hernandez), the Queen (Jeniffer Cassar) who officiated at the Santa Rosa Festival held each year at the end of August and the Shaman (Cristo Adonis).
- Members gather at special meetings held at the Carib Community Centre, and work together in preparing traditional items for their public events.
- The Carib Community Centre is located at #7A Paul Mitchell Street in Arima, about three blocks west of the Santa Rosa RC Church, and one block west of the Santa Rosa cemetery on King Street.
- Recipients of the 1993 Chaconia Silver Medal for Culture and Community Service.
- Praised by the Director of Culture in August of 1993 for the support and commitment shown to Indigenous People worldwide.
- Recognized by the Cabinet on May 8th, 1990 as the sole legitimate representative of Trinidad and Tobago’s Indigenous People and it is the only retained culture.