What’s so wrong with Rowley’s ‘wine’?

I came to Trinidad in 2005, to work, been here for over nine years. It was a culture shock, the food; the music; reggae, that is. I came in the summer. There were band launches. I was able to hear the steelpan, for real, I loved it. The first six months were a bit daunting, trying to find my footing in the Trini culture. Christmas was a no-show, Carnival was in the air, so I made a late booking and headed back to whence I came. Then it was back to Trinidad in January 2006, and the Carnival season. I was all up into the soca, the Calypso (mom and dad used to listen to Mighty Sparrow, a lot, so I thought I knew something about Calypso). I did the fete scene: I saw persons from all walks of life, ministers of government, from here and abroad. Nothing doing.

Went on the road Carnival Monday and Tuesday, had a blast. But the shock that I had was yet to come. Unknown to me before Carnival Monday and Tuesday was the fact that Ash Wednesday was not a public holiday here. So you can imagine the shock I had when I was informed that I had to be at work. Oh yes, work. I complied, did not complain at all, it was a part of Trinidad.

Here I am, Ash Wednesday morning, getting ready for work, only to see my landlord in the driveway, under the influence, with a cross marked out on his forehead. Being inquisitive, I inquired about it. This is where I was floored — he was coming from early mass, after attending a party the night before. What!!!! Early Mass. You went and get ASH, after wining and jamming half-naked in the streets for two days. Oh yes, the folks of this land then go into church to repent. Talk about culture shock!

With all the differences in our culture, this was the most shocking, each and every year it bombards me over and over.

Now to the issue at hand: why, might I ask, is there so much hullabaloo over the wining Opposition Leader? Is that something strange? I have seen it over the years, nothing doing.

Trinidad and Tobago, it is part of your culture to give in to the hedonistic act of Carnival; it is your culture to wine on all and sundry (even the homeless man); it is your culture to stop playing your so rich music during the period of LENT; and last, but surely not the least, it is certainly a part of your culture to seek repentance on Ash Wednesday.

So what’s in a little wine, pun intended. Repentance is always there.

Collette Judy Ann Brown (Rahtid)

Aranjuez