Trini Delights UK

08/08/2022

Month long celebration for T&T's 60th. From Independence in August to Republic in September.

A month of celebrations will take place to commemorate this country’s 60 years of Independence. Among them are several major concerts to be held on Independence and Republic Day as well as one in T…

08/08/2022

Jereem Richards takes gold

With a new games record !!!!!! Jereem the dream takes GOLD 🥇🥇🥇🥇for 🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹

08/08/2022

Nicholas Paul takes 3 medals

08/08/2022

T&T SILVER IN 4X100

Team Trinidad and Tobago 4x400 meters relay team of Dwight St Hilaire ( first leg) , Asa Guverra ( second leg) , Machel Cedenio ( 3rd leg) and Jereem Richards (anchor) dominate from start to finish to win the Commonwealth Games 2022 Gold Medal.

08/08/2022

East Port of Spain

During the 19th century, a part of East Port of Spain was known as Yoruba/Yarraba Village? Covering areas in East Dry River, Belmont (then Freetown), Laventille and Morvant, the Yoruba Village was home to many free Yoruba people who arrived in Trinidad in the post-Emancipation era.

Today, there is a sign at the entrance of East Dry River that pays tribute to the rich history. It reads: “For many years during the 19th century, a part of East Port of Spain was known as Yarraba Village or Yarraba Town. This was so because of the large population of Yarraba-speaking people who were to be found in this section of the City of Port of Spain.

The Yarraba people or Free Africans had come originally from the West Coast of Africa. Taken by slave traders from their homes, they had been liberated at sea by the British Navy who, in the period after 1838, operated a blockade against the slave trade. They were brought to Trinidad, where they landed as free people. They formed societies for their protection and well-being and maintained most of their important elements.

The pioneer of their family in Trinidad was Acojori Zahwru, who adopted a French name of Robert Antoine upon his arrival to Trinidad in 1855. He was born in Dahomey in 1800 and was among the last group of African immigrants to come to Trinidad.

While other groups like the Rada and Kongo people also settled in East Port of Spain, the Yorubas in East Dry River were one of the last, large groups of Africans to settle in Trinidad in the 19th century. With their arrival, they brought their beliefs, language, and traditions, thus reinforcing the strong influence of West African culture and heritage in our society.

Among the traditions retained and passed on by the Yoruba people are drumming and the Orisha/Orisa religion. Scholars have also cited the influence of the Yoruba in our Carnival and calypso art forms, as well as in our language.

This photo shows the Yoruba Village Monument that was unveiled this year by the Emancipation Support Committee (ESC), in tribute to the Yoruba Village Community and its rich heritage. It is part of the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago Photo Collection.

References:

Springer, Eintou Pearl. African Heritage Sites in Trinidad & Tobago. Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration, 2014.

Adderley, Rosanne Marion. "New Negroes from Africa": Slave Trade Abolition and Free African Settlement in the Nineteenth-Century Caribbean. Indiana University Press, 2006.

Frey, Sylvia R. From Slavery to Emancipation in the Atlantic World. Cass, 1999.

07/08/2022

Betty

A Night with David Rudder!

Saturday 20th August, 2022
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Opera Holland Park, Theatre, Ilchester Pl, London W8 6LU

One of the top calypsonians of our time is coming to the UK to perform hits such as The Hammer, Calypso Music, High Mass and many more.

Please see flyer for additional details.

06/08/2022

Hello everyone. Trini delights uk is back after a brief R&R.

20/11/2021

Today, we’re featuring Merle Albino-de Coteau, the gifted composer, music director and pannist who was the first woman to arrange a steelband for Panorama in Trinidad and Tobago.

Albino-de Coteau has over 70 years of experience in music and has mentored generations of local musicians through her music school, The Music Makers School in Laventille. Though she mainly plays the pan and the piano, she can play several other instruments which she learnt during her studies at university.

Albino-de Coteau was raised in a musical household in Success Village, Laventille. She learned pan in a time when panyards were socially stigmatized and there were fewer women involved. Speaking on the history of pan in an interview with the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, she said, “It is only when a certain set of people with a certain respectability came into pan, then it got its recognition. Coming from the grassroots it was not recognised.”

Although her parents were hesitant about her and her siblings’ playing with a steelband, they excelled. Albino-de Coteau began arranging music for the Chase Manhattan Bank Savoys (formerly known as Torrid Zone) and in 1972, she became the first woman to arrange a steelband for Panorama, with an arrangement of “Mas in May” by The Mighty Sparrow.

In the 1970s, she was invited by Pan Trinbago to judge steelpan competitions and has since judged Panorama competitions locally and abroad for over 40 years.

Now a retired Director of Culture in the Ministry of Culture, Community Development and Women’s Affairs, Albino-de Coteau continues to inspire others. She published the book, “Learning Can Be Fun: A Music Text for Students” in 1994, and was an editor for the book, “History of Steelband Panorama of Trinidad and Tobago, 1963-1990” by Gideon Maxime.

Merle Albino-de Coteau was awarded a Sunshine Award and has been recognized by Pan Trinbago, as well as the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) for her pioneering work in music. In 2019, she was awarded an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts in the areas of Music and Education from UTT.

This photo of Merle Albino-de Coteau is part of the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago Photo Collection.

National Library and Information System Authority - NALIS

References:
Greaves, Debra, and Melissa Doughty. “Merle Albino-De Coteau: First Woman to Arrange for Panorama.” Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, 12 Mar. 2018, www.newsday.co.tt/2018/03/12/merle-albino-de-coteau-first-woman-to-arrange-for-panorama/.

Jordan, Kaelanne. “Merle's Musical Mastery.” CatholicTT, 11 Sept. 2017, www.catholictt.org/2017/09/11/merles-musical-mastery/.

Cardinez, Gary. “Sweet Success for Music Makers.” Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, 8 July 2019, www.newsday.co.tt/2019/07/06/sweet-success-for-music-makers/.

“Merle Albino-De Coteau - Women and the Steelpan - Bio.” When Steel Talks/PanOnTheNet.

“Presentation of Graduates 2019.” The University of Trinidad and Tobago, 13 Nov. 2019, mail.u.tt/index.php?articles=1&article_key=7570&wk=1&show_archive=1.

28/10/2021

It always warms my heart and gives me the motivation to continue when the recipient is delighted.

05/10/2021

Orange and paprika colours of the Autumn leaves has influenced the colours of these wedding cupcakes.

24/09/2021

The groom was blown away by his surprise cake