TT, home of cultural convergence

Historians and anthropologists trace these customs to ancient European festivals which predated the christianisation of Europe by thousands of years. The Celts of Ireland and the druids of the British Isles had a festival of Samhain. The Roman Catholic church in its battle to wipe out paganism in Europe, failed to achieve its mission of suppression of ancient beliefs and customs. It did succeed in eradicating the dominance of women priestesses in pagan festivals.

It soon devised the strategy of incorporation, that is, giving these festivals a Christian clothing in an attempt to reorient these customs. Hence All Saints’ Day (or All Hallow’s Day) in honour of Christian saints. The day before, October 31, was called All Hallow’s Even or Halloween. All Souls’ Day in memory of the departed soon followed. Both occur one after the other. Nothing is particularly original in Christianity, and the most famous festival, Christmas, is the best example of this strategy in incorporation and absorption of pagan customs into Christianity.

In Trinidad these two customs occur close to the ancient Hindu festival of lights, Divali. Divali is also similar in origin to the festival of Samhain from which All Saints/Souls draws its origins. In fact, one aspect of Divali is in memory of departed ancestors, though this is not emphasised or even remembered in Trinidad. A common symbol permeating all these customs and festivals is light or fire.

Trinidad is the home of cultural convergence of many ancient customs and festivals which have all taken firm roots. A process of trans-cultural incorporation is occurring as citizens embrace the customs and festivals, clothes and food, irrespective of ancestral origins. This is very visible, and is done in an atmosphere of freedom. This, more than anything else, will define what is national and Trinidadian.

K P SINGH

Itihasa Society of Trinidad and Tobago

Carapichaima