The Legacy Of The First Peoples

Buried under the earthen ground of this twin-island state, are the whispers, stories and memories of a time once forgotten and unfamiliar faces. Trinidad and Tobago, much like Latin America and the Caribbean chain of islands, once beheld the presence of the indigenous peoples: Tainos and Kalinagos. With the arrival of Christopher Columbus, Christianity and the European colonisers, such tribes were decimated and close to perishing as they slaved away on estates. Yet their resilience and blessing of the Great Spirits, made them persevere.
 

In 2013, restoration of the Red House, one of the most iconic national buildings in Trinidad and Tobago, disrupted the sands of time and unearthed the treasures of the First Peoples. Their implements and very bones were discovered. Could it have been fate that served as a reminder to T&T that we ought not to forget our historical roots? Was it sheer luck? But the irony of it all — to uncover the burial ground of the first inhabitants of this country under the edifice where parliament and all major political  icons sit and decisions are made for this Republic.

This brought great joy to the current descendants of the First Peoples’ community and so a call was made for a reburial to be held at the Red House. Six years later, once restoration was completed, a grand yet solemn ceremony was held by the surviving First Peoples of Trinidad and Tobago, along with others visiting from Guyana, Suriname, Guatemala, Venezuela, Dominica and as far as Canada and the US. They came to participate in a historical event, pay homage to their ancestors and an ode to the Divinities who walk with them. 

The reinterment took place with huge pottery jars made with Amerindian accents from sister countries and the ritualistic outlay of the remains of almost 60 persons. Offerings of water, flowers, incense, tobacco and traditional music were made while vibrations rocked believers to heartfelt tears and ecstatic states of ‘manifestation’. The present Carib queen, Nona López Calderón Galera Moreno Aquan, participated along with First

Photo published by the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Peoples’ Chief, Bharath-Hernandez, along with shamans, political ministers and other prominent guests. A call was made to institute a public holiday, 14th October, to commemorate those who first shaped the entire Caribbean. Many ethnic and religious groups are honoured; however, the Amerindian community was awarded a one-time holiday in 2017. Perhaps we need to reconsider the need for greater recognition and remembrance of their mark upon this land, similar to other communities. 

Photo published by the Trinidad Express Newspaper

As part of the revival, monuments that serve as reminders of their legacy were erected throughout the land: ‘Hy Arima’ in Arima, ‘La Venezuela’ in Santa Cruz and now a new statue in Moruga, where there was once a very strong Amerindian presence. The new statue will be named once the elders receive enlightenment and it will be unveiled by Grand Chief Paul Navarro and members of the Warrao community. Finally, a statue 

​has been proposed to be erected over the Red House’s burial site in the near future called ‘The Blood of The First Peoples.’
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For more information:
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• https://www.guardian.co.tt/article-6.2.398697.ac1612a78f
• https://newsday.co.tt/2019/10/20/60-first-peoples-remains-laid-to-rest-at-red-house/
• https://newsday.co.tt/2020/10/10/purublaka-at-red-house/
• https://trinidadexpress.com/features/local/first-peoples-monument-unveiled-in-moruga/article_ad14e1da-a878-11eb-84b1-a7d6635632be.html

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Let us know if you enjoyed this article in the comments below. Be sure to look out for Hy Arima and the Santa Rosa feast in August.