French Culture in Trinidad and TobagoReport by : Anna Lisa Soodeen .......11 6...12 7....................... French Places in Trinidad & Tobago and their Meanings..............................................French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago Table of Contents 1................................................... 3.................................................................. 4.............................................................16 By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page ........ French Language Influence in Trinidad & Tobago....... Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 2........................ Historical Record of French Presence in Trinidad & Tobago................. French Influence on National Festivals and Dress................................................ Reference............ French Influence on Folk Stories....... 5................... This was expressed not only in the widespread use of French patois." [7] Sean Sheehan explains further that for "about a hundred years. There are also regional differences within each island. Trinidad and Tobago also has bilateral investment agreements with France. The histories of Trinidad and Tobago are different. which was basically French with Twi or Yoruba words included. Even today. and there are contrasts in the cultural influences which have shaped each island. there is a strong element of French in Trini. French. the language spoken in Trinidad and Tobago was a pidgin form of French. Introduction The culture of Trinidad and Tobago reflects the influence of African. Bilateral relations between the countries France and Trinidad and Tobago have existed for about two hundred years.. Chinese.French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago 1. the white upper class on Trinidad "consisted mainly of French creoles. Amerindian. [1] Currently. British. people speak a language that is closer to French than to English." which created "a powerful French cultural influence in Trinidad.." By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page . Trinidad and Tobago is represented in France through its embassy in Brussels (Belgium). Indian and to a lesser extent Spanish and Portuguese cultures.but also in the general population's enthusiasm for the Catholic tradition of Carnival. and in some rural areas.[2] By the later 1790s. France has an embassy in Port of Spain. Basse Terre . while Trinidad was still a Spanish colony.A French name given to the area because it was considered The Vent ( La Ventaille) through which the winds blew Morne Bleu .A French Place name meaning washer woman Grande Riviere .A French place name meaning Loose or Poor Earth Bonasse .This village in Cedros is believed to have been named after the French word meaning "nice". Over time the headland came to be called Point Radix.Named after the French settler Charles Joseph Count de Lopinot Matelot. Bonne Aventure. a French immigrant with the surname Radix was granted all of the northern headland of Mayaro Bay.A French name meaning a field of flowers D'Abadie .A French place name after a French Creole estate owner Embarcadere . Point Fortin.The French version of the original Spanish name of Punta de Piedras. Point Gourd .A French name meaning good adventure Cap de Ville.Located in St Anns this is French for Almond Grove Laventille . By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page .A French name meaning Blue Mountain Point Radix .An area in Point Fortin named after a French estate owner Monsieur Cap de Ville Carenage.A French word that means wharf or shipping place Fondes Amandes .Named after a French settler Messier. Fortin who had a sugar estate in the area Sans Souci.Derived from a French name apparently related to the word sailor or boatman Pointe-a-Pierre . French Places in Trinidad & Tobago and their Meanings Blanchissuesse .A French place name meaning large river La Fillette .French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago 2.A French place name meaning the little girl.A French name meaning Without Care Anglais Road.Named by the French because of the careening of boats in the bay to clean their bottoms Champs Fluers .Under the Cedula of Population of 1783. Lopinot . which meant Stony Point.Anglais is the French word for "English" and it is believed that this area in Cumana Toco is named after the English who attempted to create a settlement in the area in 1631.This name for an area in Chaguaramas is derived from the original Spanish name of Punta Gorda (Fat Point) which the French called Pointe Gourde and the English changed to Point Gourd. A French name as a result of the Corsican settler Simon Paul Vessiny who opened a sugar estate in the area By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page .French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago Vessigny . French Language Influence in Trinidad & Tobago As we know. and also from Grenada (British since 1763 but with a significant French population) —and including many "free coloureds" as well as whites —brought with them their enslaved labourers. These immigrants.French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago 3. who were given no choice in the matter. It was never a French colony —yet France has greatly influenced its history and culture. Trinidad was a Spanish colony until 1797. especially Martinique. This happened. of course. as a result of the Cedula of Population (1783) inviting foreign Catholics to settle in Trinidad. coming mainly from the French Caribbean colonies. because of the influx of French immigrants in the late 1700s. By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page . the holders of the enslaved labourers. and again 1802-03. and Tobago English Creole). mostly people kidnapped in Africa and brought on the infamous Middle Passage. and their descendants. 1781-93.French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago Together they ensured that a fused African-French culture would be dominant in Trinidad for many years to come — in language (French. the expressive arts (African-British traditions of music. dance and song). except for a few place names. No other European power had a significant influence on Tobago's modern (post1763) development. religion (various Protestant faiths. outside the realm of law and governance. Trinidad passed from the Spanish to the British Empire in 1797. and Créole or Patois). which didn't involve any significant French immigration. For much of the 19th century. Why the difference? During the two periods when France ruled. Despite efforts by the colonial government to push the Anglican faith. by force of arms during wartime. British influence on Trinidad's culture was fairly limited. and 19th century Trinidad newspapers often had sections in that language. other than a few officials. The formal end of British colonialism. The landowners. ensured that Tobago's culture would continue to be an African-British fusion — in language (English. Yet French influences there were minimal. especially the Anglicans. religion (French forms of Roman Catholicism). of course. The two periods of rule by France. even if they often combined this faith with African belief systems such as the Orisha or Shango movement. French was the first language for the French Creole group up to the turn of the century. continued to be British — the persons who'd been given land grants when Tobago was formally ceded to Britain in 1763 and others who'd acquired land subsequently. made little impact on Tobago's culture. which came into being in 1889. festivals and so on. music. folklore. when the Colony of T&T was created. song). The sister island was a formal French colony for two periods. the great majority of the people (except for the Indian immigrants) remained at least nominally Roman Catholics. Tobago remained a separate British colony until unification with Trinidad in the new (British) Colony of Trinidad and Tobago. came to live in Tobago. They and their slaves. the expressive arts (dance. Methodists and Moravians). and then by formal treaty agreement in 1802. By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page . came on 31 August 1962 —next year will mark the golden jubilee of Independence. Patois remained the majority language into the start of the 20th century. It was a separate British colony until 1889. Spanish influences were largely — though not entirely — eclipsed. After 1803. hardly any French people. The "Westminster System" is also an inheritance of British colonialism. The BBC played a significant role in nurturing the talents of this generation. Of course. the colony's legal system. were imitations of English "public" (that is. on their own. our education system has more in common with that of Britain than (say) the US. have played a key role in the evolution of T&T's culture and history. British influences on our popular culture were fairly strong. Spain. Both football and cricket were invented by the Brits and spread throughout the world wherever they went. the colonial government. was gradually overhauled until. who had often been Anglicans in their home islands. the churches and the schools managed to spread the English language and British culture in the society. the British organised a system of government in T&T which was based. by the mid-nineteenth century. And as everywhere in the Empire. The system of publicly funded schools. The use of Patois (and Spanish) declined. European influences derived from the colonial powers. So like it or not. especially in sports. especially in the 1950s. Our laws and legal procedures are still basically British (and the Privy Council is still our highest court of appeal). which had been Spanish. first set up in the post-emancipation years. Of course. the prestige secondary schools. France and Britain. Though Anglicanism remained a minority faith. it was essentially English. By the 1920s or 1930s English Creole had replaced Patois as the majority language. was modelled on the English and Irish schools.French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago But gradually. especially with the immigration of thousands of people from places like Barbados. By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page . creative writers gravitated almost naturally to London. private!) schools and taught entirely British curricula well into the last century. like Queen's Royal College. Even today. it did gain some ground. British literature exerted a strong pull on the colony's writers. even if loosely. and the first generation of T & T. including VS Naipaul and Michael Anthony. and Caribbean. Tobago or St Vincent. because there is no concrete evidence for the existence of an annual Shrovetide festivalbefore this date. When the French arrived in 1783. Trinidad was discovered by Columbus in 1498 (he named the island for the Christian Holy Trinity) and was ruled by Spain for virtually 300 years. French Influence on National Festivals and Dress French has had major influence on carnival activities and celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago. with the 'Bourbon reforms' of Charles III designed to rejuvenate flagging colonial efficiency -did the Spanish crown pay attention to this thinly-populated. when in1797 the British took Trinidad itself. Caribbean island.a great number of French planters grasped the opportunity to settle in Trinidad.French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago 4. due to the unsettled times in the Caribbean . The French whites had established By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page . including a loyalty oath to the Spanish crown. St Vincent. their influence was on the carnival with the masks and parades etc. 1783 is a convenient neutral starting point for discussing the development of the Trinidad Carnival. Charles III extended this provision in 1783 by issuing a further Cedulad e Poblacion. there was a significantly French-speaking and mainly Creole population. remaining one of her most 'underdeveloped' American possessions. In consequence. Tobago to settle in Trinidad. as has been pointed out by Andrew Pearse in his study of 'Carnival in Nineteenth Century Trinidad'.Grenada. Over the next fourteen years. This allowed any Catholic to settle in Trinidad providing he agreed to stipulate immigration conditions. At this point the island's population was very small indeed. Only in the 1770s. slaves and Indians and. bringing their slaves with them. coloureds. but also set on maintaining Spanish control and the Roman Catholic faith in his American colonies. Dominica. A Cedula issued by the Spanish monarch in 1776 highlighted the island's neglected state: with no European Spaniards available for emigration. almost uncultivated. They were encouraged by land grants to set up agricultural units under their own management and to transfer slaves in quantity to work these plantations Influenced by France.the British having taken control of most of the French West Indian islands in the latter part of the eighteenth century . comprising Spanish-speaking whites. it invited West Indian French Catholics dissatisfied by Britain’s 1763 take-over of their Antillian islands . Following emancipation. Despite a large and speedy increase in population . Red Devil. Bat'. most of these masqueraders portrayed traditional characters including the Midnight Robber. It has been necessary to outline the sequence of French settlement in Trinidad because of its utmost importance in establishing the Shrovetide celebration of Carnival on the island . Africa. and coffee. indeed. or watched from the upper stories of residences and businesses. Blue Devil. were able to stamp their cultural characteristics on its ensuing festive developments. but lesser function. the practise spread into the free population. peoples from the Near-East. sugar. Until World War II. Monday night (night 'mas) had a similar. The first few hours of Carnival Monday morning. North America. and Dame Lorraine.at least as far as the written record is concerned. Indian subcontinent and the Orient were to increase further the population and cultural-mix. but it was imitated and adapted by their slaves and. Originally the celebration was confined to the elite. which rode the streets in floats. MAS' The daytime of Carnival Monday and Tuesday are dominated by costumed masqueraders. The most influential single cultural factor in Trinidad and Tobago is Carnival. brought to Trinidad by French settlers from Martinique in the later part of the 18th century. In the postwar period. Jab Molassie. which today can include thousands By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page . cotton.and. thus. Wild Indian. Jab Jab.in particular from the Spanish Main.French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago themselves as a landed aristocracy and using the labour of their black slaves had created flourishing plantations growing tobacco. after the abolition of slavery in 1838. With the wartime presence of US soldiers (and war movies) Sailor Mas' was added. and the British West Indian islands . J'ouvert allowed the wealthy to mix with the poor in relative anonymity. The night was given over to the lower classes. Costumed and masked by the darkness. in 1833. some French emigration. individuals gave way to organised bands. Carnival was originally confined to the upper classes. Police and Thief. from about 4 am until sunrise was known as J'ouvert (a contraction of jour ouvert). The Canboulay Riots of 1881 were a turning point in the evolution of Trinidad Carnival. the French community remained in control of the island's economic core and. As English replaced patois (Creole French) as the dominant language. calypso migrated into English. The chantuelle. and the elected town councils of Port of Spain and San Fernando. and in so doing it attracted more attention from the government. It allowed the masses to challenge the doings of the unelected Governor and Legislative Council. traditionally. became the voice of the people. who spoke for the band. However.Template:Why? CARNIVAL FETES Carnival take place most heatedly during the week before the actual parade of bands on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. Peter Minshall is often considered the greatest mas' designer. The music. which drew upon African and French influences. Calypso continued to play an important role in political expression. the Carnival season begins on Boxing Day December 26 and soca and calypso music reign supreme over the airwaves.French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago of masqueraders. such as the Midnight Robber). The fetes that take place from year end through carnival (usually in February) are generally carnival-themed and feature live music from bands and soca artists who are promoting their song contributions for the year. and also served to document the history of Trinidad and Tobago By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page . MUSIC Calypso music developed together with Carnival. evolved into the calypsonian (and other characters. French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page . In 1751. the French settled colonists on the island. Historical Record of French Presence in Trinidad & Tobago France had colonized Trinidad during the seventeenth century. On 6 December 1677. [3] France occupied the colony from August 1666 to March 1667.[4] Nevertheless."[5] It was again a French colony from 2 June 1781 to 15 April 1793.French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago 5. and French influence became dominant.[6] nominally part of the Lucie département of France from 25 October 1797 to 19 April 1801. By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page . and once again a French colony from 30 June 1802 to 30 June 1803. the French destroyed the Dutch colony and claimed the entire island before restoring it to the Dutch by the first Treaty of Nijmegen on 10 August 1678. most "of the settlers were French. but ceded it to Britain in the Treaty of Paris of 10 February 1763. is sometimes personified as an old crone. extremely strong and muscular. he is known to sound a cow's horn to warn his friends of the approach of hunters. sometimes hairy and though very old. He doesn't tolerate killing for killing's sake. Sometimes she takes the form of a beautiful woman. handsome creole woman who with swinging gait and erect stature. flavoured with French and to a lesser degree. it is extremely difficult to draw a dividing line between the strictly religious elements and what may be described as "legendary traditions". Sometimes he turns into a deer that would lead the men into the deep forest and then he would suddenly resume his true shape. the picture is full of colour and decorated with a wealth of detail. the devil woman of Trinidad and Tobago folklore. Spanish and English influences. French Influence on Folk Stories Our folklore is predominantly of African origin. If you should meet with Papa Bois be very polite.French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago 6. As the guardian of the animals and the custodian of the trees. the sound of chains mingling with the rustle of her petticoat. who steps forth with her cloven hoof from behind a tree on a lonely road. stay cool. "Bon jour. sometimes as a deer. "Papa Bois" is the most widely known of all our folklore characters. many of the supernatural folklore figures possess characteristics which are identical with those of African deities. Sometimes she appears as a tall. If he pauses to pass the time with you. Religious or semi-religious cults of African origin have undoubtedly contributed much to the Island's folklore. Indeed. including "Maître Bois" (master of the woods) and "Daddy Bouchon" (hairy man). and the wanton destruction of the forest. to lure some unsuspecting passerby to his death or perhaps to madness. In keeping with well-recognized African traits. passes through By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page . Maître" should be your greeting. and do not look at his feet. or in old ragged clothes. such as to marry "Mama Dlo". Papa Bois appears in many different forms. There are many stories of Papa Bois appearing to hunters. "La Diablesse". vieux Papa" or "Bon Matin. with cloven hoofs and leaves growing out of his beard. to issue a stern warning and then to vanish. He is the old man of the forest and is known by many names. leaving the hunters lost or perhaps compelling them to pay a fine of some sort. walking backwards until you reach home. They also tell of hearing a loud. she may cast a spell and be perceived as young and desirable. and. By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page . she will be dressed in the ancient costume of these islands: a brilliant madras turban. "zepingue tremblant" (trembling pins of gold). grave yard dirt and shells. turn it upside down and immediately leave the scene. Sometimes she takes the form of a beautiful woman 'singing silent songs on still afternoons. rising in the sun beams. Nothing but a big Morte Bleu. turn them inside out and put them on again. cracking sound which is said to be the sound made by her tail as she snaps it on the surface of a mountain pool or a still lagoon. "Did you see a fish jump?" "Yes.French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago a cane or cocoa field at noon and catches the eye of a man who then proceeds to follow her. and all the finery of the by-gone days. a flash of green . She may have a bag of bones. lingering for a golden moment. her rich perfume blending with the smell of damp and decaying things. She is sometimes thought to be the lover of Papa Bois. like burning down trees or indiscriminately putting animals to death or fouling the rivers could find themselves married to her for life. If you feel you may encounter a La Diablesse on your way home. her lower half takes the form of an anaconda. and this will surely protect you from a La Diablesse.finds himself lost. far from home and he is never himself again.gone. Mortal men who commit crimes against the forest. and old hunters tell stories of coming upon them in the 'High Woods'. Although she may appear young. "Mama Dlo" or "Mama Dglo" whose name is derived from the French "maman de l' eau" which means "mother of the water" is one of the lesser known personalities of Trinidad and Tobago folklore. A hideous creature. sitting at the water's edge in the sunlight. both this one and the one to follow. take off all your clothes.her feet hardly touch the ground . never being able to catch up with her . chemise with half sleeves and much embroidery and lace. take off your left shoe. but it did not go back in again!" If you were to meet Mama Dlo in the forest and wish to escape her. bewildered. Cycling along. she flies through the night in search of a victim and she would suck his 'life-blood' from him clean. she realizes the dreadful thing that has been done: The village boys and men have filled her skin with coarse salt and pepper and will soon come and get her.French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago "The Soucouyant" "A ball of flame. "skin. kin. "Duennes" are spirits of children who died before they were baptized and as such. she rises up through the roof and with a shrill cry that sets the village dogs to howling. she stirs and sheds her old and wrinkled skin. the priest and his silver cross." Then. On their rather large heads they wear huge mushroom-shaped straw hats. so he stopped and picked it up. pleading to the wrinkled. . Duennes are sexless. she makes a beeline through the forest for her home. seldom seen. Now. she sings. you na no me. as a glowing ball of flame. he was reduced to a state of absolute terror by the time he reached the hospital. you na no me". "You'd better take me back were you found By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page . along she came flying without a wind" was how the Soucouyant of Saint D'eau island was described. mostly on living children who are enticed away into the forest and are then left abandoned. as he passed the big silk cotton tree at the corner of Belmont Circular Road and the Savannah. with horror. A story is told of a man called Lastique who was riding home one night. her house always closed up as she sleeps away the day. their feet are turned backwards and they have no faces (although they do have small round mouths). call them and lure them away. old skin. crooning softly. which she deposits into a mortar that she hides carefully away. dreadful thing. never shout their names in open places. As evening draws near. it seems to shrink and slide away. they are fated to roam the forests of Trinidad.that is how you'll know the Soucouyant. one grain at a time . he heard a baby crying. when he realized that the child was getting bigger and heavier. the church bells . kin.and then. As the blessed day dawns. Suddenly the child said in a man's voice. To prevent the Duennes from calling your children into the forest at dusk. practising their wide repertoire of pranks. the end. as the Duennes will take their names. it burns like fire.but something's wrong. finds the mortar with her wretched skin and proceeds to put it on. She is the old woman who lives alone at the end of the village road. with a drum of boiling tar. "You na no me. thinking he would take it home for the night and carry it to the orphanage in the morning. If you wish to discover who the Soucouyant in your village is empty 100 lbs of rice at the village crossroads where she will be compelled to pick them up. If by chance. hid its face in a cloud as a chill wind blew and an owl flew out of the tree. put it in your eye and peep out of a key hole at 12 midnight. a silent witness. which the terrified Lastique did at once. the 'child' shrank steadily back to its original size and was deposited. The "Ligahoo" or "Loup Garou" is the shape changer of Trinidad's folklore. He can lay curses and extended protection. once more. take some yampee from the corner of a dog's eye. An ability which is handed down in some old creole families. If you want to see a Ligahoo and not be seen by it. the coffin and its gruesome attendant were to be used to facilitate the uninterrupted transportation of Bush Rum. protected by a giant "phantome". this effect would virtually ensure its safe passage. At times the apparition may take the form of a coffin being carried through the streets and the clank of chains is distinctly heard. not only for his facility to change his form to that of a vicious animal. charms and bush medicine are also readily available. By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page . As he drew nearer the tree. but also for his power over nature. The moon. a bawling baby at the foot of the giant tree. from him. this phenomenon is usually associated with an old magic-dealing man of a district who is both feared and respected.French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago me". A single man may bear it on his head. uk/articles/trinidad.html Carnival in Trinidad8/30/2010http://www.com/TnT/Folklore.org.triniview.org/wiki/France%E2%80%93Trinidad_and_Tobago_relations http://www.com/commentaries/Colonialisms_in_T_T-133587223.trinidadexpress. Reference http://en.wikipedia.htm http://www.French Culture in Trinidad and Tobago 7.mustrad.htm By: Anna Lisa Soodeen Page .