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Afro-Trinidadian people

 
Wikipedia: Afro-Trinidadian people
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Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonians Trinidad and Tobago
Afro-Trinidadians.jpg
Total population
1.4 million
Including the Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonian diaspora
Regions with significant populations
Trinidad and Tobago, United States, United Kingdom, Canada
Languages

Mainly Trinidadian Creole English, standard English, and sometimes French and Spanish
Religion

Catholic, Islam, Christianity

Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonians refers to a generalized term used to describe Trinidadian and Tobagonian people who appear to be of "Black" and/or has "African" ancestry. They are also referred to simply as African, Black, Negro or Creole, mainly by the western and European standard; described as possessing one or more Negroid feature such as: dark skin, curly hair, or full lips, regardless of non-African traits or non-African heritage. In the broad sense of the word it refers to a Trinidadian that has significant African ancestry. Social interpretations of race are often used to dictate ones "blackness", a person might appear "white" in appearance but may still be considered black based apon recent ancestry. Mulatto, Zambo, Quadroon, or Octoroon were all terms used to measure ones "blackness" throughout Latin American and Caribbean history.

Afro-Trinidadians account for 39.5% of the population of Trinidad and Tobago as of 2000. However the classification is primarily a superficial description based on phenotypical (visual) description opposed to genotypical (genetic) classification. It is not uncommon for a dark complected person of Indian decent be considered more "Black" or "African" solely based on skin color. An additional 18.4% of the population described themselves as being of Mixed (Dougla); most of them are also of African descent.[1]

Contrary to the implications of the term Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonian, it is somewhat inaccurate considering the racial/ethnic diversity of the group which includes ancestry from: Amerindians, West Africa, Spaniards, French, Creoles, Chinese, Germans, Swiss, Portuguese, Scottish, British, Irish, Italian, Mexican, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Arab, Lebanese, African American, Other Caribbean islands, Venezuela, Philippines, and India.

The term Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonian is applied to Trinidadian and Tobagonians that have strong African roots and/or features, but also may have Indian decent.

Unlike Trinidad, Tobago (Trinidad and Tobago were united in 1888) has a different history. Trinidad is mainly multiethnic, however the population of Tobago is primarily Afro-Tobagonian which is synonymous with Afro-Trinidadian, with the exception that the people of Tobago are almost exclusively of direct African decent. In an effort to unite the cultural and ethnic divide between the two islands many people choose to be called Trinbagonians as a sign of unity.

Contents

History

The Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonian are a mixture different nationalities and ethnic groups. 1498 Columbus landed on the island of Trinidad where he encountered the Caribs and Arawaks Amerindians. Trinidad became a territory of Spain. The Amerindians became slaves and over time became Mestizo people.

The Spaniards started transported enslaved Africans to Trinidad via the African slave trade in 1517, thus over time producing mulatto Trinidadians and mixtures of Mestizo and mulatto people almost fully erasing any full blooded Amerindians.

In 1783 the King of Spain passed a law called Cedula of Population which promised free land to people willing to relocate to Trinidad to work. This law caused a migration of French settlers and their creole slaves the work the sugar cane plantations. The people became not only Mestizo and mulatto but now also creole. Spanish, French, and Patois were the languages spoken.

In 1802 Great Britain took over the island and slavery was eventually abolished in 1834. The abolishment of slavery led to an influx of indentured servants. One of the first groups of indentured servants were the Chinese. The conditions were horrible some left many stayed and married into the Trinidadian populous. Later on in 1911 many more Chinese came after the Chinese revolution.

In the 1840s European indentured servants began arriving including: the French, West Africa, Creoles, Chinese, Germans, Swiss, Portuguese, Scottish, British, Italian, Mexican, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Arab, Lebanese, African American, Other Caribbean islands, Venezuela, and Irish (many of which also settled in Montserrat, also known for their high number if redheads). A high number of these settlers married into the families of the freed slaves over time.

On May 30, 1845 the British transported indentured servants from East Indian to Trinidad. The conditions were no that different from the African slave trade this day is known as Indian Arrival Day. The first group of East Indian people also began to mix into the Trinidadian populous. After the use of indentured servants was abolished 1917, a second group of East Indian people steadily migrated to Trinidad from India referred to as "coolies" (which is a racial slur directed toward the newly arriving East Indian people most of which kept their East Indian customs).

Because of this rich and unique cultural heritage Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonians are know as one of the most ethnically, racially, and culturally diverse people in the world.

Historical Use of the terms Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonian and Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonian

Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonian

After the 100th celebration of Indian Arrival Day on May 30, 1945, the holiday was celebrated less and less, the transportation of indentured servants had ceased (banned in 1917) and the people shared a similar culture and languages. East Indians continued to migrate to Trinidad, whom did not conform to the Trinidadian culture but rather kept their own East Indian traditions.

In the 1950s A group called the Divine Life Society of Chaguanas encouraged people to celebrate "Indian Emigration Day", as to include new East Indians peoples as well as native Trinidadians. 1976 the Indian Revival and Reform Association (IRRA) was formed. They were concerned about racism against Indians and were interested in developing ideas, writing pamphlets to bring about an Indian revival and renewed pride in Indian heritage and Indian culture. It was around this time the term Indo-Trinidadian was started to be used.

Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonian

Between 1968 and 1970 the "Black Power Revolution" gained strength in Trinidad and Tobago. The National Joint Action Committee was formed by a group of Undergraduates at the St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies. Influenced by people such as Fidel Castro, Stokely Carmichael and Malcolm X . The National Joint Action Committee demonstrated to bring about Black Power and a return to African heritage and African culture.

On April 6, 1970 a protester, Basil Davis, was killed by the police. This was followed on April 13 by the resignation of A.N.R. Robinson, Member of Parliament for Tobago East. On April 18 sugar workers went on strike, and there was talk of a general strike. In response to this, Williams proclaimed a State of Emergency on April 21 and arrested 15 Black Power leaders. Responding in turn, a portion of the Trinidad Defense Force, led by Raffique Shah and Rex Lassalle, mutinied and took hostages at the army barracks at Teteron. Through the action of the Coast Guard and negotiations between the Government and the rebels, the mutiny was contained and the mutineers surrendered on April 25. It was around this time the term Afro-Trinidadian was started to be used.

Note: These termes, Indo-Trinidadian and Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonian, are almost never used by people from Trinidad and Tobago.

Origins

The ultimate origin of most African ancestry in the Americas is in Africa. Ancestors from the west coast of Africa, which now includes Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Togo, Guinea, Cameroon, Angola and Guinea-Bissau, among others. Many of them were from tribes such as the Yoruba, Ashanti, Kru, Mandinka, Rada and Itsekiri. All of these tribes, among others, were affected by the Slave Trade.

The majority of Afro Trinidadians were the descendants of immigrants from other islands of the Caribbean, especially Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados, and some from Jamaica. Other Afro-Trinidadians trace their ancestry to American slaves recruited to fight for the British in the War of 1812 or from indentured labourers from West Africa.

Culture

The massive influx of African slaves to Trinidadian and Tobagonian shores that happened in the 16th and 18th century respectively was important in shaping the cultural space of Trinidad and Tobago. Afro Trinidadian culture is immanent within and encapsulates all other cultures. Afro-Trinidadian culture is decisive in Steelpan Culture, Carnival Culture, and Calypso Culture and also helped in many ways to shape.

Genetics

It is said that Trinidadian and Tobagonians may be the most heterogeneous people on Earth. Similar to major cities like New York City or ancient civilizations like Ancient Egypt, Trinidad has been and still is a melting pot where people from all over the world meet. With the exception of Antarctica you can find a person that has ancestry from just about every continent on earth.

Most data regarding genetics is mainly focuses on European ancestry opposed to African, Indian, Indigenous American, or East Asian ancestry mainly because the majority of studies done are dealing with European ancestry.

African ancestry 45% to 65% Admixture

Afro-Trinidadians have approximately 45% to 65% African ancestry mainly from West Africa. Afro-Tobagonians have approximately 85% to 95% African ancestry also mainly from West Africa. From the time the French colonized Trinidad French Creoles (primarily white in appearance) were and to an extent still are considered the elite class. French Creoles, for the most part, are isolated from the general of the population. French Creoles (people strong of French European decent) and their Creole servants (Mulattos 1/ 2 black, Quadroons 1/4 black, and Octoroons 1/8 black, originally from France), did marry in high numbers and most “White” Trinidadians today have some degree of African ancestry 2% to 10%.[2][3][4]

European ancestry 25% Admixture

A host of European countries have colonized and populated Trinidad over the centuries. Inevitably many different European people have added their genetic distinctiveness to the populous. A series of Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonians were studied with respect to hemoglobin types, serum protein systems (Tf and Gc subtypes) and red cell enzyme types (AcPh, 6-PGD, AK, EsD, GLO and PGM1). The average Caucasian admixture was estimated at 25% similar to Louisiana Creole people in America, certain populations in Guyana, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Brazil. The similarities are most likely due to the Spanish, Portuguese, and French colonials.

In addition, prior to the African Trans-Atlantic slave trade, The British forcefully enslaved both Irish and the Scottish people. Prior to 1619 (beginning of the African slave trade) the Battle of Kinsale between the Irish and the English resulted in some 30,000 military prisoners, in which they created an official policy of banishment. The policy would mean slavery for the Irish and the Scottish in the Americas. During this time period the importation of African slaves began. Since the white slaves were of very fair complexion and did not do well in the sun it was in the slave masters interest to make sure the African slaves and the Irish/Scottish slaved procreated. European slavery ended in the late 1600’s but between 1600 to 1699, more Irish and Scotts were sold as slaves than Africans. Only after the African Slave trade had become more profitable did the Irish and Scottish became Indentured servants and given an option to earn their freedom. As a result of this slave trade the Caribbean has a large amount of people of Celtic and African decent, including Antigua, Nevis, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and most noticeable on the Island of Montserrat where it has the highest population of redheads outside of Ireland, it is also known as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean . Because of this history it is common for some people to have Celtic last names (Marcus Garvey, Irish last name) throughout the Caribbean.[5] [6][7]

South Asian ancestry 25% to 35% Admixture

Afro-Trinidadians have 25% to 35% East Indian ancestry. Some people consider themselves dougla, and some do not find a need to make reference to their ancestry if they are part Indian and part African.

Indigenous American ancestry 2% to 5% Admixture

Afro-Trinidadians have approximately 2% to 5% Indigenous/Native American ancestry. The the main groups of Indigenous people were the Caribs and Arawaks (also known as Tainos) Amerindians. The Amerindians are a dead culture and most full blooded Amerindians died during the colonization of the islands, and from malnutrition during slavery. The majority of the people have been absorbed into the population throughout the Caribbean. There are still populations in Trinidad that claim themselves as Amerindian, however most are of Mestizo and/or Zambo extraction or are transplants from Venezuela. [8]

East Asian Ancestry 1% to 2% Admixture

Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonians have approximately 1% to 2% East Asian Ancestry, mainly from China.

Other ancestry 1% Admixture

Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonians have approximately 1% ancestry of other decent. Trinidad has had smaller populations of Lebanese, Syrian, and other Arab backgrounds.

Religious Groups

Most Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonians are Christian, with the largest group being Roman Catholics, Anglicans and (in Tobago) Methodists. Smaller numbers follow Afro-Caribbean syncretic faiths like the Spiritual Baptist Church and the Rastafari movement. Non-Christians include adherents of Islam, the Orisha faith, the Bahá'í Faith, Hinduism or are followers of Sai Baba.

See also: Religion in Trinidad and Tobago

Notable Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonians

See also

References

  1. ^ Stefano Harney (1996). Nationalism and Identity: Culture and the Imagination in a Caribbean Diaspora. Zed Books. ISBN 1856493768. 
  2. ^ Race Relations in Colonial Trinidad 1870-1900
  3. ^ Trinidad French Creole
  4. ^ Estimates of African, European and Native American Ancestry in Afro-Caribbean Men .
  5. ^ Irish Slavery.
  6. ^ Chronology on the History of Slavery 1619 to 1789.
  7. ^ History of slavery, British and French Caribbean .
  8. ^ Estimates of African, European and Native American Ancestry in Afro-Caribbean Men.

External links

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