Colonialism is viewed as a relic of the past, relegated to history books and a taboo topic, despite its repercussions today.
The Caribbean region is a prime example of colonialism, but here the focus is on Tobago. As a resident, born in England of Caribbean parentage and living on the island for several years, I was in for an awakening. Witnessing the psychological scars of colonial rule, how its subjugation and brainwashing created an impact, epigenetic studies verify, becomes part of the DNA as generational trauma.
Until undertaking research, I was unaware of this fact, which would account for general behaviours that are considered cultural. This aspect, however, has become the elephant in the room across the board. Whereby, there is a denial of the detrimental psychological scars of colonialism. The entrenched programming and conditioning leave lingering effects that still ripple through to today.
Examples include authoritarian child rearing, where corporal punishment and obedience hide behind discipline. Children are not to talk back or ask too many questions and boys are not to show emotional vulnerability. The belt replacing the whip. In addition to the flawed scarcity of kinship and empathy. As Maya Angelou’s quote suggests: “You can’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.”
Tobagonians are a proud people who take pride in their heritage, demonstrated by their Harvest, Emancipation, Heritage and Independence festivals.
The island was ruled by the British, French, Dutch and Courlanders from the Baltic, which is modern day Latvia, changing hands thirteen times, between the English and French. Ceded to Trinidad in 1889 by the British, becoming Trinidad & Tobago and gained its independence in 1962.
Colonisation take advantage of the colonised, in Tobago’s case, it was the cultivation of sugar, its strategetic placement in the Caribbean and in the process stripping of its culture. Many landmarks and aspects highlight its past. Examples include many of the population’s surnames, such as Harris, Sandy, Edwards and Smith, associated with the European enslavers.
Villages and towns named after the colonising rulers at the time. From the English is Tobago’s capital, Scarborough, a seaside town in England, Glamorgan a county in Wales and Palatutuvier and L’Anse Fourmi from the French. Bloody Bay beach so called from the bloody battle between the English and the African islanders.
Due to their masked balls, the French are credited with introducing carnival. But the islanders transformed it with the addition of African drums, music, dancing, and iconic characters such as Moko Jumbie and others. But it became a hard-won fight to maintain and preserve under British rule, marked by the Canboulay Riots of 1881-1884. Reclaiming it as a cultural event, an enactment of the riots takes place at the renowned yearly event. The Shouter Baptist religion, banned for fifteen years by the British, has a designated day to celebrate its faith. Patois, the local language, though not forbidden, English became the adopted first language.
The impact of other aspects, such as economics, politics, education, agriculture and land ownership, will be discussed in another post.
Going forward, as Trinidad & Tobago celebrated their 63rd Anniversary of independence on 31st August, it is about embracing the positives of colonialism. Although traumatic, it is a testament to generations’ resistance, resilience, victory and strength. In these modern times, it is not only to continue the island’s journey towards sovereignty, but to shape its future for the following generations.
Also see THE WINDRUSH GENERATION/ DESCENDANTS
