Religions
Muslims celebrate the Hosay
Festival, which commemorates the deaths of two Muslim princes, Hosein and Hassan.
Once a somber occasion, the Hosay Festival has become another celebration of
artistic and musical expression thanks to the influence of Trinidad’s Carnival.
Hindus celebrate Phagwa,
which marks the vernal equinox and beginning of a new year. A popular ritual of Phagwa
is the spraying of abeer powder on participants. This substance is a red vegetable dye
made into a bright fuchsia liquid. |
Special Events
Emancipation Day honors the
many contributions by people of African descent to the development of Trinidad and Tobago.
On Easter, goat and crab
races are held in Tobago. The goat races, featuring large sanaan goats, are popular with
small children who delight in the butting antics of these furious creatures. The crab
races are a hilarious event in which trainers coax their racers down a track. |
