Trinidad / Special Interests / Culture & Heritage

Think of Trinidad and most people think of Carnival. Hailed as the world’s biggest street party, this mother of all celebrations partly defines an island that revels in its musical roots and the cultural diversity of its people. Trinidad may be in the Caribbean, but its proximity to Venezuela has rubbed off on its natural surroundings, giving it a richness of flora and fauna more reminiscent of South America. It can also lay claim to having the most multifarious racial mix of any of the islands with its 1.4 million population drawn from every race and hue from the Middle East, China and India to Africa, Europe and the odd place in-between. As a result, Trinidad is a place where Hindu and Muslim festivals are celebrated alongside Christian ones; and where the cuisine takes its flavours from Creole, East Indian, Chinese influences.

A laisse-faire, devil may care attitude permeates the psyche of most “Trinis”, wholly apparent in the crazed celebration of pre-Lenten Carnival, the centrepiece of life for many, and an experience that stays with any visitor forever. Music, whether it be pan, soca or calypso is the lifeblood of the nation and steelpan is a testimony to Trini ingenuity, having been invented in the Second World War from discarded oil drums and developed into the art form of today. Cricket is another important part of Trinidadian heritage and a testament to the 180 or so years the island spent under British rule, along with various forts, churches and other historical landmarks dating from this period.