Christmas in Trinidad
(published in the Canadian Gleaner)

“Much more unites us than divides us,” a Trinidadian song, may certainly apply to how the world celebrates Christmas. Although with its distinct customs like PARANG, PASTEL and PONCHE A CREME, Christmas in Trinidad pulls from global norms. In fact, *Trinbagonians are starting to decorate their houses and putting up Christmas trees earlier each year.

That is, however, not what makes the holidays special to most. It is the warmth that permeates the air. And, yes, the temperature (though cooler at year-end) rarely dips below 22ºC.  But, let’s continue with what unites us…

Deck the Halls

From mid-November, everywhere is a festoon of reds. Poinsettias, lights, decorative balls, reindeers, Santas and Nativity scenes adorn many lawns and foyers. In Italy, baby Jesus is not placed in the manger until Christmas Day or wise men until the Epiphany. In Trinidad, the whole scene is displayed at once.

As one would imagine in a tropical country, palm trees are not spared; the popular decoration being white lights from icicle to lanterns, twinklers and blinkers. Corporations compete for the most luxuriously decorated trees and although many are pine, others are synthetic and heavily bolstered to keep upright.

On the Plate

Food is a lead actor in the holiday play. While in many households turkey is customary, HAM is a must-have in most families, baked with pineapple slices, cherries and cloves, this oftentimes lasts the whole season. Retained from Portuguese origin is GARLIC PORK, which is intricate to prepare and is enjoyed on Christmas Eve and Day. In some rural areas, WILD MEAT including armadillo or “patoo” and wild hog are prepared. It is true that variety makes this dinner the most grand of the year.

Yet, Trinidad and Tobago is a multi-religious society. The population breakdown by religion: Roman Catholic 26%, Hindu 22.5%, Anglican 7.8%, Baptist 7.2%, Pentecostal 6.8%, Muslim 5.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4%, other Christian 5.8%, other 10.8% (Source: CSO 2000 Census). So a sizeable part of the population may not participate due to religious beliefs. However, this does not hamper those who do. The entire country celebrates and respects the Hindu, Muslim and other religious observations and when appropriate they are all National Holidays.

I digress…

Trinidad distinguishes itself in the food arena and there are staples that must be mentioned.  One is PASTEL (of Latin origin), a savoury patty made of cornmeal with minced meat stuffing. Then there is BLACK CAKE, similar to Christmas pudding with local spices. Other Yuletide delights include SWEET BREAD – made with coconut, raisons and sometimes cherries or dried fruit – and TART, a pastry, with coconut, sugar and cinnamon inside. 

Meals during the season are accompanied by SORREL drink. SORREL is seeped from a red flower, from the Hibiscus family, which is stripped from its seed and boiled to make an aromatic nectar. This drink is blended with ginger and (in Jamaica, cloves); then rum is added, after a batch is put aside for the benefit of children.  The grown-up drink of choice is a type of eggnog called PONCHE A CRÈME; this is, however, more spirited than most nogs.

Sounds of the Season

The distinctive part of Christmas in Trinidad is PARANG. As Trinidad is nestled just miles from South America, this music has Latin origins often with Spanish lyrics. It may be described as a mixture of Latin and Mento sounds with simple instruments that make a unique melody. The best of Parang is heard every year in a hilly town called PARAMIN.  

In some rural areas, Parang bands play from house to house, bringing a pleasant Christmas surprise. Indeed the Christmas spirit of sharing with neighbours and the less fortunate integral to traditions. From PARANG to PASTEL from PONCHE A CRÈME to GARLIC PORK, Christmas in Trinidad is a melting pot of norms and diversities that result in pure merriment as the last days of the year melt joyfully away.

by Dayner Azzellino