First People’s Day
Trinidad and Tobago commemorates First Peoples’ day on 14thOctober every year. The week leading up to 14th October is usually used to highlight the history and culture of the First Peoples’ here in Trinidad and Tobago. The week is called “Heritage Week” where a series of celebratory events are held in Arima, Port of Spain and other communities. In 2017, cabinet approved a one-off public holiday which was celebrated on 13thOctober, 2017.
Over the years, other indigenous tribes from Caribbean communities such as Guatemala, Venezuela, Suriname and Guyana came to Trinidad to be part of the celebratory activities. The celebrations are kicked off with a Smoke Ceremony at the Hyarima statue found in Arima followed by a procession through the streets and a ceremony at the Santa Rosa Roman Catholic Church.
The Smoke Ceremony is a public display of the indigenous religious rituals. The rituals are performed to praise the Earth and protect the Earth’s spiritual and physical integrity. It is believed to be a way for ancestors to be remembered and is a request for blessings on the First Peoples and their families by the Great Spirit. The following day a Water ritual is performed in remembrance of the ancestors.
The First Peoples continue their traditions to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
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