Ten Days of Muharram: The Cedros Hosay

The quiet fishing village of Cedros in south-west Trinidad came to life in Ten Days of Muharram, which unveils events of one of T&T's most eventful and cultural festivals - Hosay (Muharram).   The event commemorates the martyrdom of Hassan and Hussain (Hussein), grandsons of Prophet Muhammed.  Hosay is a popular celebration among minority Shiite Muslims and is celebrated globally.  The Hosay festival is celebrated during Muharram, the first month of the Islamic lunar calender.  Participants are organised into five camps and each group is responsible for constructing miniature temples (tadjahs) to depict the tombs of Muhammed's two grandsons.  On the first day of Muharram, Muslims begin prayers at the Chawk (a holy place for prayers).  the miniature tadjahs (small hosays or pitti bongie) were paraded through the streets of Cedros accompanied by tassa drummers.

A close-up view of a tadjah during Hosay in Cedros

Tadjah pulled along the Cedros Main Road

Making it's way through the streets of Cedros

Hosay has a history.  It originated in the estates of Cedros that were run by the French creole.  Petit bondieu is a French term which means small Hosay.  What you would also find too is a lot of the other cultures and religion is an integral part of the process.  The celebration of the Hosay in Cedros has taken on all types of nuances and resonances from other religions including Roman Catholic, Hindu, Baptist, creating a product which is uniquely Trinidad.  Our Hosay in Cedros you will never find anywhere else in the world in terms of the way they construct their tadjahs.  There was the participation of the stickfighters which is a dying art form but is also a rich part of that culture.

Hosay about to drown

Spectators lined the streets to get a glimpse of the beautifully decorated tadjahs.  It is also said that there are different events in the lead up to the final night.  One of which is called the 'flag night' where members walk through the streets with flags.  The final thing is to disperse of the hosays in the sea. 

Dispersing the Hosay in the sea

Hosay going down

St. Peter's (Fisherman Fete)

On the 29th of June marks the celebration of Peter's birthday, the fisherman and former Apostle to Jesus.  This is met with much anticipation on the Trinidad and Tobago isles of fete and frivolity!  The Seafood Industry Development Company boasts that the local marine fisheries sector in 2005 contributed TT$ 63 million to the country's Gross Domestic Product.  It is without a doubt that episcopal church services in the Roman Catholic communities as well as its denominations continued this year with fishermen receiving their blessing from the parishes.  

In addition, hundreds of islanders of all races and religions still turned out to the festivities at the shores and bays of fishing villages island wide for beach parties, fun activities, delectable fish and food!  The fishing village of Cedros in the south western peninsula of Trinidad is famous for this particular fete.  People from all over the island come to Manmohansingh Park at St. Marie village in Cedros. The crowd thickens every year with cars lining the streets, vendors setting up shop and Dj's on the beach hosting the inaugural "fishermen fete".  Other parts of the island like Carenage had their annual cultural presentations, fish broths and danced away with frivolity, gaiety and unity.  

So next time you journey to the south land be sure to participate in the free fun filled fisherman's fete!  You'll enjoy it and be grateful!!!

History of Point Fortin

Point Fortin is located in southwest Trinidad, about 32 kilometers (20 miles) southwest of San Fernando.  Point Fortin has played a crucial role in the economic welfare and development of Trinidad and Tobago.  While Point Fortin is the smallest borough in Trinidad and Tobago, it has produced millions of barrels of oil which this country has exported and the revenues derived used for the construction of much of its infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools and hospitals.

D' Butches Bar & Lounge

Everyone or if not most people love to bar hop while on road trips, even i do! So if you're wondering where you should stop and grab that ice cold beer, then no need to worry! 

D' BUTCHES BAR & LOUNGE 

For all those late night limers, D' Butches Bar & Lounge is the place to be.  For that vibrant and energetic party vibes, D' Butches Lounge is famous for hosting regular events.  Some of these events are:

• GIRLS GONE WILD!!!

Every Thursday, 'fellas link up yuh crew and head down to Butches Bar to enjoy a wonderful time with these sexy exotic dancers.' 

• FREE UP FRIDAYS!!!

Each and Every Friday is Free UP Fridays...So come out and enjoy music by popular DJ's such as; Durwin, Pegus+Warrdogg, GUEST DJ's: Young Bloods+Startus

Cedros & Icacos Volcano Exploration

A place worth visiting is the Cedros Peninsula, which starts from Bonasse Village in Cedros and extends all the way to the villages of Fullerton and Cedros.  It takes approximately 3 hours from Port-of-Spain to get there but it is well worth the long drive to know this magnificent unspoiled South Coast Scenery.

Cedros Jetty

• MUD VOLCANO

Although there is the deposition of silt from the Orinoco River, sea erosion continues to destroy the porous landscape and many of the coconut trees and estate building reclaimed by the sea.  At the top of Columbus Bay, located a few metres from the shore there are three landmark rocks referred to as the Los Gallos or the Cocks.  Further inland in the Cedros Peninsula, there is a chain of mud volcanoes.  The Galfa Mud Volcano situated in the Green Hill Area at Marie Street in Bonasse.  The Columbia Mud Volcano Fields consist of a series of volcanoes and found one mile inside a coconut estate between the villages of Fullerton and Icacos.

Mud Volcano

History of Icacos!

Icacos Point is the south westernmost point in Trinidad and Tobago situated at the tip of the long peninsula that forms St. Patrick County and is only 11 kilometres away from neighbouring Venezuela. The village was given its name by the original inhabitants of the area, the Amerindians, who named it after a type of common shrub of the rosaceous or rose family, icaco, that grew profusely there. 
By the 1820's, Icacos increasingly became an agricultural area with estates such as Columbia and Constance coming into being. In 1877 the first school in the area was built on Constance estate with forty-nine students in attendance under the tutelage of school-master, Mr. Lazare.

By 1881, census reports show that there were five-hundred and two people in the area but with no public services available except through the nearby Cedros area.
Today, Icacos has largely abandoned its agricultural roots and villagers engage mainly in fishing for their sustenance. Many types of fishing are engaged by the fishermen such as drift-net fishing, "floating" and long-line fishing. However, shrimp-fishing, which is done primarily at night, is one of the most popular forms of fishing. This form of fishing is not without controversy because the shrimp beds lie in the direction of Venezuelan waters and many a fisherman have been arrested and their catch confiscated. Fishing agreements made between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago have helped the situation somewhat.

La Brea Pitch Lake

La Brea is a small community situated in the southwestern part of Trinidad, and lies approximately 55 miles (88.5km) from Port of Spain and is bordered by the Gulf of Paria.  La Brea stands about 85 feet (26m) above sea level and has a bowl shape.  This humble community is the eighth wonder of the world, and the largest of its kind, the PITCH LAKE. 

View of the Pitch Lake 

                                                         

Tour Guide demonstrating the texture of the pitch

This tour guide named Mr Roy is seen demonstrating the texture of the pitch from the lake where we understand that some parts are hard and some soft. The soft areas can not be walked on as it may swallow anything. We also learnt that if it can swallow anything it sure can spew and burp (Lol). When this happens a yellowish water substance is seen and at times you get a strong sulphur smell.

Visitors bathing in the well popular lake

CALLIFARIA LEGEND

This legend is about two young lovers who were responsible for the destruction of the settlement of La Brea.  This is what happened! Callifaria - the daughter of Callisuna, who was the chief of the La Brea tribe, fled from her tribe to the long arms of her boyfriend, Kasaka - a prince of the Cumana tribe.  Quite peeved by his daughter's flight, Callisuna and his warriors invaded Cumana, did battle, captured his daughter, tied her to a horse and speedily returned to La Brea.  Unfortunately, Callisuna did not know that his drastic action so angered Pimlontas, the winged Arawak god, who damned the village of La Brea , making it sink into the earth, replacing it with a thick black substance, the Amerindians called PICHE (PITCH).

COLIBRI (Humming) BIRD LEGEND

This legend is about the Chima Indians, a tribe which existed on the very spot where the present lake occupies.  Apparently, after a victory, these Indians had jubilant celebrations which included a grand feast in which vast quantities of Colibri Birds (Humming Birds) were cooked and eaten. The plumes of these small birds were used as accessories.  The victory which had absorbed the minds of the Indians drowned the memory that the delicious Colibrie Birds where really the spirits of their ancestors.  As an act of punishment, the winged God opened up the earth and summoned up a lake of pitch which swallowed up the entire Chima village and its people.

For the Amerindians, the pitch lake was a painful reminder that retribution for evil doing was always at hand.  The lake was a symbol of emptiness, an absence of life and a physical manifestation of Celestial damnation.

                                                             

Clifton Hill Beach Resort

If you're not from south, it's going to be one hell of a long trip but yet very fun and interesting.  So as we journey to the last point of Trinidad in the southwestern end of our beautiful island we came across quite a few beaches that were really mind blowing...very much of the country side!  One in particular would surprise you of the transformation from what it was to what it is now, and that beach is none other than Clifton Hill Beach.

Clifton Hill Beach back in the days

                             

Nice Shaded Area

Below you can see the newly built Bar and Restaurant with a magnificent poolside view. Many come out to have a great evening lime.  Great liming spotlight, perfect for any occasion.

Daylight view of Clifton Hill Beach Resort pool 

Night view of Clifton Hill Beach Resort Pool

In April 2014, the Point Fortin Borough Corporation opened the 9100 square feet facility located at Guapo Beach, Point Fortin. Clifton Hill Beach Resort is a beach facility that includes changing rooms, conference rooms, a swimming pool, beach pavillion, multi-level sunset lounge with court yard, eating areas, boat house, car park, stage, beach bar and fine dining at the Fortay Restaurant among its amenities.

Welcome to Trini Southwestern Lifestyle

Welcome to my first blog, 'Southwestern Lifestyle'.  This blog was created as a throwback to the days before technology existed.  There will be lots of interesting photos and videos posting throughout the upcoming months so stay tuned for more....