Trinidad Y Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago:
http://gotrinidadandtobago.com/trinidad/
History:
A visit to Trinidad today would reveal a multicultural melting pot stirred by the descendants of settlers from Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East. But in 1498, when explorer Christopher Columbus set foot on Trinidad, things were very different.
Arawak and Carib Indians prospered here on the island theAmerindians called Ieri, land of the Humming Bird, until Columbus spotted the island he named for the Holy Trinity. When the Spaniards discovered no precious metals on Trinidad, the Amerindians were enslaved and shipped off to work on other Caribbean settlements.
Nearly a century would pass before Spain established Trinidad's first European community, San Jose de Oruna (St Joseph), which wassacked and burnt by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1595. Sir Walter Raleigh was also said to have discovered the Pitch Lake, from which he used material to caulk his leaking ship.
Trinidad remained a Spanish possession from the 15th Century and the Cedula of Population in 1783, allowed French planters and their slaves to emigrate from the French colonies to the island. The British would capture Trinidad in1797 and negotiate an amicable treaty of rule with the Spanish.
In the following years, enslaved Africans were brought in to work on sugar plantations and in 1802, the island became a British colony. After slavery was abolished by Britain, landowners imported thousands of indentured labourers from India, China and the Middle East.
In 1889, Britain joined the smaller Tobago to Trinidad as anadministrative ward. The islands achieved independence from England in 1962 and became the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in 1976.
Culture:
There's always something to celebrate in Trinidad.

The contributions of the different ethnic groups that settled in these islands have combined to create a rich inheritance of dance, music, art, cuisine and festivals.

Many of the festivals celebrated inTrinidad, like the Muslim festivals of Hosay and Eid-ul-Fitr and the Hindu festival of Divali are religious observances.

Other festivals, like Emancipation Day, Shouter Baptist Liberation Day and Arrival Day, highlight the traditions, customs and contributions specific ethnic groups have made to the islands' development.

Carnival, a two day explosion of colour and drama, is the ultimateshowcase for the rich artistic and cultural expressions of the island.

With a calendar of public holidays and festivals that is second to none, visitors are sure to encounter one or more of these diverse and exciting events, no matter when a trip is planned.

To learn more about Trinidad's culture please see the following link:
National Library and Information System Authority
Festivals andHolidays
Corpus Christi
Mainly observed by Roman Catholics the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi is an official public holiday. Dating back to Spanish colonisation of the island, this feast day is celebrated with large religious processions.
Divali

A national holiday, Divali is usually celebrated during the months of October and November.

Affectionately described as the "festival oflights", Trinidad's celebration of Divali is one of the largest outside of India and pays homage to the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess of light, wealth and prosperity.

Hindus celebrate Divali by conducting prayers, called Poojas. Family and friends are invited to share a sumptuous vegetarian meal and at dusk, everyone joins in lighting and placing the Deyas (small, oil burning clay lamps)around the home and yard.

Many Hindu temples and communities also host their own celebrations and the hundreds of gaily-flickering lights placed in different positions and patterns are a breathtaking sight to behold!
To learn more about the festival of lights in Trinidad click here.
Easter
Easter is traditionally marked in Trinidad and Tobago with two public holidays - Good Friday and Easter...