#trinidad and tobago folklore

[briefbestiary]

Disturb not the one who stares up at the luminous moon.

Some say that if one manages to distract him from his focused attention to the Moon, he will begin to chase them in order to suck out their brain using the palm of his hand.

[caribbeangirlfolkloring]

Illustration by Daniel B

The Moongazer is a well-known spectre in the folklore of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and St. Lucia, each with its own version.

One thing they all agree on is that this spirit in the form of a giant man only appears on the night of a full moon and gazes at it as he walks or stands. Only his shadow can be seen by the light of the full moon. His long legs straddle either side of the road and if a passerby tries to walk between his legs, he closes them and crushes the person to death.

[tropic-havens]

The "Jab Jab," a mythical folklore being from the warm shores of Trinidad and Tobago

[enchanted-moura]

[faithlore]

Why We Tell Stories

We tell stories to keep the spark alive. To feed an emptiness, answer a longing, or simply pass the time. To connect, learn and grow. Stories of lineage, tales of peculiar relatives, or that one neighbour rumoured to have been a lagahoo.

Those that came before us handed down their superstitions, dialects, traditions, and old wives’ tales. They were forced to work as slaves and indentured labourers yet brought the countries, they'd left behind into the ones they now occupied, through their way of life.

All my life I stifled my inner voice, and in doing so, shut out the voices of ancestors. Of my highest, most creative self. But I no longer wish to hide. I want to write and learn and grow as a storyteller.

I hope you’ll have the heart to stop by in this little portal of prose when you get the time. I hope my words resonate with some part of you.

Long time, when current gone in the night, we would huddle around candlelight or a pitch oil lamp and parents, grandparents, or some adult or older cousin would tell scary stories to pass the time while the rain pelted onto galvanise like pesky little jumbies.

They spoke of unbaptized children, or douen, who would steal a child's name spoken after dark and lure them off into the woods never again to be found. And la diablesse, the devil woman who seduced men off their paths home and to their deaths off ravines and cliffs.

Or the soucouyant, otherwise called Ole Higue, who shed her mortal skin, turned into a ball of fire and fed off the blood of sleeping locals.

It is believed that supernatural creatures thrive away from the city, in the countryside, in places where there is little light or commotion. But just because you have not witnessed a thing, does not necessarily mean it has not observed you.

The night and the dark have always allured me. I’m easily frightened, and a little superstitious sometimes, yet I find myself drawn to the occult and mythology and the things that go bump in the night. Will it prevent me from having a good night’s sleep? Very likely. I can’t help it, though.

If not for my curiosity and attraction to mystical and dark things, though, we’d not be here on Faithlore. Trinbago's folk tales, coupled with my love of lore and written storytelling is why I decided to start blogging.

What you can expect from Faithlore: spooky tales and the ramblings of a socially anxious weirdo. If you’re into that, hunker down and tune in for more.

[sexypinkon]

SEXYPINK - I missed this wonderful presentation in 2022. Thus I look forward to Crick Crack in 2023.

From the Facebook page of Crick Crack Traditional and Folklore Band  (2022) Sunday at the Coco dance festival a traditional mas character Babydoll decided to take the stage and bring the performance out of the carnival..I've learned alot in this process and will continue my journey in "becoming" you don't choose the mas it choose you! Special thanks to cocc family for allowing me to keep this thing we call art alive. The Uncanny doll

All photos are copyright by Maria Nunes

[afrotalescast]

https://www.podpage.com/afrotalescast/monkey-liver-soup/

[galleryyuhself]

Galleryyuhself - From the Facebook page of James Hackett - Trinidad and Tobago (Designer and Illustrator)

.................................

In between procrastination and everything else I could not get to compiling some stories that have been on my mind for some time, the little snippets that have been posted over the last few are bits and notes from concepts I am playing with. IN the meantime to finish something I put together this book which is part of the journey of the future characters.

 I debated several times whether to post this or not, it is on amazon, I am still working on my other thing, it will involve multiple styles of creative representation because It goes into weird places and is a love letter to some of you fellow nerds who have visited these strange worlds imagined by Caribbean minds over the years. Anyways this bit is on amazon and here is a link and some pics.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRLY9LSY?psc=1...

[fatehbaz]

When Dr Harold Young [...] takes visitors on a journey around Belize City, the first stop is an unremarkable building, whose basement entrance is partly shrouded by creeping pink bougainvillea. Its padlocked gates and broken windows back on to a parking lot in the city’s historic centre. Most passersby ignore the innocuous plaque outside. Belize, a country of 400,000 citizens, is [...] a part of the English-speaking Caribbean. A former British settlement and then colony, it is one of the region’s eight remaining Commonwealth realms – independent countries where the monarch remains the head of state.

Belize is the only Commonwealth realm King Charles has never visited.

The building is blocked from public entry but is known locally as the former headquarters of a TV station [...] once owned by the Conservative peer Lord Michael Ashcroft, who has sprawling business investments around Belize. But for those who are aware, the building serves as a horrifying reminder of the brutality of British rule here. “It’s the last remnants of a holding dungeon for slaves,” Young says. “Before they were put out for sale.” 

Unlike the island states in the Caribbean, where plantation slavery underpinned the colonial economy, enslaved labour in Belize revolved around the logging of mahogany at camps in the country’s interior. [...] [T]he remnants of violent enslavement are now mostly absent from public view. The building’s story has been passed down for generations, and is noted in certain tourist literature. But the historic plaque outside, while acknowledging its use in the mahogany trade, presents its connections to slavery merely as “local folklore”. “When you live in a colonial environment, the colonialists don’t want you to prove what they were doing was a horrendous trade, right?” says Young, who is Belizean Creole, meaning of mixed African heritage. [...]

---

History is still not fully told. Crimes remain unacknowledged. [...]

But as the United Kingdom prepares to crown its new king, the citizens of Belize are laying the groundwork for a similarly historic event: they could be the first nation to remove Charles as head of state. [...] The process, the prime minister [...] acknowledged in an interview [...] means it is “quite likely” that Belize will be the next country to leave the Commonwealth realm, following Barbados’s seismic decision to become a republic in 2021. [...] Belize is not alone [...].

[D]iscussions over the future of the British monarchy have accelerated throughout the region.

Now, officials in seven of the remaining realm countries in the Caribbean have indicated they will seek to follow the same path [...]. In Jamaica, [...] the government has committed to a vote before the next general election in 2025. In Antigua and Barbuda, the prime minister [...] said shortly after the death of Queen Elizabeth that he would hold a referendum within three years. [...]

Such debate is far from new to the English-speaking Caribbean and did not begin with Barbados’s decision in 2021, nor the death of Queen Elizabeth last year. Carried by a wave of Black nationalism and socialism, three former British colonies, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and the newly independent Dominica, removed the monarch as head of state throughout the 1970s. Alternatives to the crown had been debated in popular circles long before even then. [...]

---

Still, symbolism and imagery of the current moment [...] matter, particularly as relations between the English-speaking Caribbean and the UK fall to new lows in the aftermath of the Windrush scandal and both the government and the monarchy’s recent refusals to go beyond passive expressions of regret and offer a formal apology for the atrocities of slavery.

In March last year, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s visit to the Caribbean marking the Queen’s jubilee was punctuated by a series of protests that cast a long shadow over the exercise in soft power. In Jamaica, photographs of the pair shaking hands with children through a chainlink fence and later parading in white clothing in an open-top Land Rover were decried as a throwback to colonialism.

In Belize, the couple were forced to abandon plans to visit a Mayan village in the country’s south, following protest. [...] “There’s only so much the fig leaf of public relations and exercises in ‘soft power’ can cover,” [...]. “These images and videos were widely shared on social media [...].” Outside St John’s Cathedral in Belize City, the remains of a semicircular brick wall mark the boundary from where, it is said, enslaved people were permitted to listen to services inside. The building itself was built by enslaved labour, but colonial authorities banned enslaved people from entering.

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Text by: Oliver Laughland. “‘Colonialism lingers’: Belize shrugs off coronation amid calls for repatriations.” The Guardian. 4 May 2023. [Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me.]

[bestiarium]

Papa Bois [Trinidadian folklore]

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is home to several large forests and deep woods. According to local folktales, an enigmatic being dwells in these woodlands and protects the beasts that live there. He is called Papa Bois (pronounced Papa Bow-ah), and he is the guardian of the forests.

He has a human-like body, although it is entirely covered with fur (compared with the fur of a donkey) and he is shorter than regular humans. A pair of horns adorn his head.

Papa Bois has a hoof for his left foot, but despite that he can run incredibly fast. If you see him, you must never stare at his hoof, for it is considered incredibly rude.

He sometimes transforms into a deer to lure hunters into the heart of the forest. He then appears before them in his true form to scare them and give them a warning, before disappearing. Generally speaking, you don’t need to be afraid when encountering Papa Bois.

Source: “Information about Local Folk Characters” from The Heritage Library, I did not find the author but the text is archived here.  https://chloemaraj68104874.wordpress.com/home-3/page-1/men-in-folklore/men-is-folklore-history/ None of those are particularly good sources, but the story was ‘confirmed’ to me by a native Trinidadian. Still, I hope to back it up with a written source one of these days. (image source: Fabien Kong)

[legend-collection]

Papa Bois

Papa Bois (otherwise known as "Maître Bois", meaning master of the woods or "Daddy Bouchon" meaning hairy man), a French patois word for "father wood" or "father of the forest" is a character of St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. Often called the "keeper of the forest", he is thought of as the protector of the forests and their flora and fauna.

He is married to the Mama Dlo also known as Mama D'Leau.

His appearance is thought to be that of a short, old man of African descent with cloven hooves (or at least his left leg ends in a large hoof) and a beard of leaves, who, despite his age sports strong muscles and can run faster than a deer. His body is completely covered with hair like that of a donkey and small horns sprout from his forehead. He is also known to carry a hollowed-out bull's horn, which he uses to warn animals of hunters' approach. He is also known to have the power of metamorphosis and is commonly thought to transform himself into a deer, luring hunters deep into the forest and getting them lost. Much like his female counterpart, Mama Dlo.

It is believed that if one meets Papa Bois, one must be polite and refrain from staring at his hooves, and say a polite greeting to him. For example, "Bon jour, vieux Papa" meaning, "Good day, old father." Papa Bois is also found in Grenadian folklore. He is usually represented as a huge Manicou (Opossum). Hunters of the forest are always afraid of him because of his appearing and disappearing trick.

[caribbeangirlfolkloring]

“What are the lights in the mountains?” “The lights in the mountains? Oh, it’s a jablesse.” “A jablesse! But why? What’s a jablesse?” “It’s a person who can turn into anything. But you can tell they aren’t real because of their eyes. Their eyes shine like lamps, so bright that you can’t look. That’s how you can tell it’s a jablesse. They like to go up in the mountains and gallivant. Take good care when you see a beautiful woman. A jablesse always tries to look like a beautiful woman.”

Jamaica Kincaid, from At the Bottom of the River

[ya-world-challenge]

2023 Wrap-up

I fulfilled 31 countries for the World Challenge this year, bringing my total up to 57 out of 208.

I also read about 14 other books that were repeats of countries, additional books in series, and ones I just randomly picked up, so something like 44 in total.

I also finished up all the backlog of countries I had rolled with the randomizer, so in the new year I will get to roll some new ones - yay, exciting.

So here are my top favorites from the year!

Top 5 reads in 2023

The Orphan Sky by Ella Leya

A really beautiful novel of a prodigy pianist coming of age in Soviet Azerbaijan. Musical prose and just breathtaking story.

2. The Exiles of Crocodile Island by Henye Meyer

This was an unexpectedly really good book that I was lucky to find for the tiny islands of São Tomé & Príncipe. Following a group of Jewish children forced to a Portuguese settlement. Really insightful characterization and lovely writing.

3. The Man Who Spoke Snakish by Andrus Kivirähk

Such a unique folklore-esque story by an Estonian author. A clash of modernity with ancient ways, and what gets forgotten.

4. The Key by Sara Elfgren & Mats Strandberg

Book 3 and finale of the Engelsfors series set in Sweden really brought the series to an amazing climax and gave us great character development. Also I think, the longest book I read this year.

5. The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa

Super fun queer pirate adventure! This was just so refreshing and comforting at the same time.

Honorable mentions:

All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O'Donoghue; Travelers Along the Way by Aminah Mae Safi; I Am Kavi by Thushanthi Ponweera; On the Edge of Gone by Corrine Duyvis; When a Bulbul Sings by Hawaa Ayoub

See my book review tag for all my reviews!

Full list of countries read this year

Here's all the countries I fulfilled this year and the books I read for them.

🇦🇺 Australia - Ghost Bird, Lisa Fuller

🇦🇿 Azerbaijan - The Orphan Sky, Ella Leya

🇨🇺 Cuba - A Tall Dark Trouble - Vanessa Montalban

🇩🇰 Denmark - The Shamer's Daughter, Lene Kaaberbøl

🇪🇪 Estonia - The Man Who Spoke Snakish, Andrus Kivirähk

🇫🇯 Fiji - The Wild Ones, Nafiza Azad

🇮🇷 Iran - Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi

🇮🇶 Iraq - Yazidi!, Aurélien Ducoudray & Mini Ludvin

🇮🇪 Ireland - All Our Hidden Gifts, Caroline O'Donoghue

🇱🇹 Lithuania - Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepatys

🇱🇺 Luxembourg - The Elf of Luxembourg, Tom Weston

🇲🇹 Malta - The Maltese Dreamer, Catherine Veritas

🇲🇽 Mexico - Secret of the Moon Conch, David Bowles; Guadalupe García McCall

🇳🇵 Nepal - What Elephants Know - Eric Dinerstein

🇳🇱 Netherlands - On the Edge of Gone, Corrine Duyvis

🇵🇸 Palestine - Travellers Along the Way, Aminah Mae Safi

🇵🇹 Portugal - Mariana, Katherine Vaz

🇵🇷 Puerto Rico - The Wicked Bargain, Gabe Cole Novoa

🇷🇴 Romania - And I Darken, Kiersten White

🇱🇨 St. Lucia - 'Til I Find You Greta Bondieumaitre

🇸🇲 San Marino - The Gladiator, Harry Turtledove

🇸🇹 São Tomé & Príncipe - The Exiles of Crocodile Island, Henye Meyer

🇸🇳 Senegal - No Heaven for Good Boys, Keisha Bush

🇸🇬 Singapore - Sofia and the Utopia Machine, Judith Huang

🇸🇰 Slovakia - Impossible Escape, Steve Sheinkin

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka - I Am Kavi, Thushanthi Ponweera

🇸🇪 Sweden - The Circle, Sara Elfgren & Mats Strandberg

🇹🇹 Trinidad & Tobago - When the Vibe is Right, Sarah Dass

🇹🇳 Tunisia - Other Names, Other Places, Ola Mustapha

🇻🇪 Venezuela - The Sun and the Void, Gabriel Romero Lacruz

🇾🇪 Yemen - When a Bulbul Sings, Hawaa Ayoub

And here's the moods that Storygraph says I read which turned out to be pretty varied.

------------------

Overall not bad progress, and I look forward to continuing to read in 2024!

Have you read any of the books I picked or have them on your TBR? Feel free to comment!

[tobagoadventures]

Tobago Heritage Festival is a vibrant and culturally rich event, it is an annual event held in Tobago for several weeks, usually from mid-July to early August, and is a significant highlight on the island’s calendar. The festival aims to display and preserve the traditional customs, music, dance, storytelling, and cuisine of Tobago. It provides a platform for locals and visitors to experience and appreciate the island’s unique cultural traditions.

During the Tobago Heritage Festival, various communities across the island host events and activities that highlight their specific cultural heritage. These events may include folk dances, traditional music performances, theatrical presentations, craft demonstrations, and culinary showcases.

One of the main highlights of the festival is the “ole time wedding” reenactment, which is a traditional Tobagonian wedding ceremony from yesteryears. This event allows participants and spectators to witness and immerse themselves in the customs and rituals of the traditional Tobagonian wedding. The Tobago Heritage Festival also includes various competitions, such as calypso and steel pan contest, where talented individuals compete to highlight their skills and entertain the audience. The festival also features a variety of food stalls and vendors, offering traditional Tobagonian dishes and delicacies. Visitors can sample local dishes, such as Crab and dumpling, Callaloo, Pelau, and Coconut bake.

In addition to the cultural performances and culinary experiences, the Tobago Heritage Festival also includes educational workshops and lectures on the island’s history, folklore, and traditions. These sessions provide an opportunity for attendance to learn more about the significance and meaning behind the various cultural practices, they also could take part in guided tours to historical sites, such as Fort King George, the Tobago Museum, and numerous plantation estate.

Overall, the Tobago Heritage Festival is an exciting and lively celebration of Tobagonian culture and history, providing an immersive experience for all who attend. It offers a unique opportunity to learn about the island’s vibrant heritage and enjoy the lively atmosphere of this Caribbean gem.

Photos taken from - Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Trinidad and Tobago

Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation-THA

Tobago Heritage Festival

[sexypinkon]

Sexypink - At The Rotunda Gallery from today.

[grenadacarnival2023]

Unleashing Caribbean Vibes: Trinidad and Tobago Carnival and Grenada Carnival 2023

Introduction: 

Immersed in a whirlwind of vibrant colors, pulsating rhythms, and infectious energy the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada gear up for their legendary carnivals in 2023. These two nations are renowned for their spectacular celebrations, drawing crowds from around the globe. The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is a feast for the senses, featuring exuberant masquerade bands, captivating calypso, and soca music, and spellbinding steelpan performances. Meanwhile, Grenada Carnival, known as Spicemas, showcases a unique blend of traditional folklore and modern revelry. From dazzling costumes to pulsating street parades, these carnivals promise an unforgettable experience that will leave you enchanted with the irresistible Caribbean vibes.

In this guide, we will discuss the Caribbean vibes of the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival and Grenada Carnival 2023.

Trinidad and Tobago Carnival: A Spectacular Fusion of Music, Dance, and Color

This world-famous festival is a captivating fusion of music, dance, and vibrant colors. From the moment you step onto the streets, you'll be immersed in a sensory extravaganza. The pulsating rhythms of soca and calypso music will fill the air as revelers adorned in elaborate costumes gracefully move to the beat. The energy is infectious, and the atmosphere is electric. Every corner bursts with vibrant hues and exudes a joyous celebration of Caribbean culture. 

Grenada Carnival: The Ultimate Caribbean Extravaganza of Rhythm and Revelry

This beautiful extravaganza showcases the essence of Grenadian culture and promises an unforgettable celebration. From the traditional Jab Jab masqueraders covered in molasses and cocoa to the mesmerizing beauty of the Queen Show, Grenada Carnival captivates with its unique blend of traditions and creativity. There you can enjoy yourself in the pulsating rhythms of steel pan music and calypso, and let the vibrant costumes and energetic performances ignite your spirit. Whether you're dancing in the streets or enjoying the lively festivities, Grenada Carnival is an immersive experience that will leave you with cherished memories.

Unleashing the Caribbean Spirit: Immerse Yourself in the Vibrant Culture of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival

This captivating annual celebration is a vibrant reflection of the island’s rich cultural heritage. From the stunningly intricate costumes to the energetic and synchronized movements of the masqueraders, every aspect of this festival is designed to showcase the region's soulful and captivating culture. The infectious rhythms of steelpan music will sway you to the joyful spirit of the locals. You can have fun with the warmth, hospitality, and lively energy that define the Caribbean, making the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival an unmissable cultural event.

Get Ready to Sway and Celebrate: Experience the Irresistible Energy of Grenada Carnival

The festivities begin with the exhilarating pre-carnival events, building anticipation for the main event. As the grand parade takes to the streets, you'll be captivated by the colorful and elaborate costumes, the infectious rhythms of soca music, and the exuberant dance moves of the revelers. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned carnival-goer, Grenada Carnival promises an unforgettable experience filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a sense of pure joy. 

Carnival 2023: Embrace the Unforgettable Festivities of Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada

These twin islands come alive with an explosion of color, music, and revelry, inviting you to embrace the unforgettable festivities and experience the unparalleled energy, creativity, and cultural richness of both carnivals. From captivating parades and lively competitions to street parties and infectious merriment, Carnival 2023 promises an immersive experience like no other. 

Conclusion: 

In conclusion, the vibrant spirit of the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival and Grenada Carnival 2023 is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean. These festivals offer a remarkable opportunity to immerse oneself in infectious energy, vibrant music, and breathtaking displays of color and creativity. Whether you choose to sway to the rhythms, don a striking costume, or simply soak in the lively atmosphere, these celebrations promise an unforgettable experience.