March 30, 2010 will be the fifteenth anniversary of the Shouter Baptist Liberation Day celebration in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is officially a national holiday on the twin island Republic and represents a celebration of the repeal of March 30, 1951 of the 1917 Shouter Prohibition Ordinance barring the worship of the Shouter or Spiritual Baptist faith.

The ban was imposed, ostensibly, because the Shouters celebrated too loudly. It was, however, suspected that the real reason their activities were curtailed was because the colonizers were opposed to their Afro-centred practices. Worshippers who defied the ban were beaten, arrested and jailed, and they had to flee to the hills and forests to practice their religion without interference. After much lobbying, the bill to overturn the ban was passed in 1951.

Over the years, Shouter Baptists in Trinidad and Tobago have been awarded plots of land and allowed to establish their own schools and places of worship.

Fifteen years ago, when the national holiday was granted, this action by the government prompted much jubilation among members of the Spiritual Shouter Baptist faith and each year this group hosts thanksgivings throughout the country to celebrate their freedom to worship and to commemorate the auspicious holiday.

The Baptist faith continues to make an impact on the social, economical and spiritual landscape of this country. Being a Spiritual Baptist is viewed as a way of life for many. The Liberation celebration is a free event and involves both old and young persons and includes various cultural activities and motivational messages.

There are four distinct Baptist groups in existence in Trinidad and Tobago, namely the London Baptists, the Independent Baptists, the Spiritual Baptists and the Fundamental Baptists.

The origins of the Spiritual and Shouter Baptist faith in Trinidad and Tobago has evolved over time to become a unique, indigenous religion. It has managed to fuse the rhythms of Africa with the restrained, traditional tenets of Christianity to produce a religion that is vibrant, expressive and dynamic.

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CREDITS:

- Story by Natalie Walters

- Photo by

Eric Taylor, President of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) joined his Executive team for a Post Carnival Retreat last weekend, March 6th at the Cascadia Hotel, St. Anns.

The retreat was an initiative to evaluate the organisations’ performance for the 2010 carnival season and plan a way forward for 2011. TUCO successfully hosted the following major shows/events as part of the Carnival calendar of events for 2010:

- Calypso Tents, - Kaiso Showkase, Kaiso House, Kaiso Karavan, Icons,
- Junior Calypso Monarch Finals
- Junior Calypso Roving Tent
- National Calypso Monarch Semifinals “Calypso Fiesta”
- Rapso Explosion
- “Kaiso Rama”– Extempo Monarch, Political, Social and Humourous
Categories Finals
- National Calypso Monarch Finals “Dimanche Gras”

The National Museum and Art Gallery begins its series of exhibitions this month, with the launch of “Identity,” featuring works by Dutch artist, Yasmin Champagne. Born as a black woman In a predominantly white country, she uses the collection to highlight the struggles she endured growing up in The Netherlands. In it, she seeks to find her true identity.

The exhibit officially opens at 6.30 this evening and will run until March 21, 2010.
The collection is a collaboration between the National Museum and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is part of its ongoing drive to develop relationships with various Consulates to showcase artwork from around the world.

Another exhibition entitled “Perspectives: Memory and Desire," featuring the works of well known local artists: Glenn Roopchand, Kenwyn Crichlow and Carlisle Harris will begin on March 16 and run until April 11, 2010. This will be followed by an evening of poetry performances and an exhibition of poetic works by local poets in observance of World Poetry Day.

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CREDITS: Story compiled by Nicola Joseph using information provided by the National Museum and Art Gallery
Photo courtesy the National Museum and Art Gallery

Today, March 8, 2010, marks the celebration and commemoration of International Women's Day. The Gender Affairs Division of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs hosted a Breakfast Seminar at the La Boucan Restaurant, Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, which targeted staff of the Ministry, as well as other Gender Focal points representing Ministries and Agencies in Trinidad and Tobago.

The event is just one of the many events which will take place during the month of March to commemorate International Women's Day. At the Breakfast Seminar, a fair number of guests, including male and female staff members were present to participate in a very informative programme which was facilitaed by staff of the Gender Affairs Division.

In her welcome remarks, Director of the Gender Affairs Division, Monica Williams highlighted that since the first commemoration of International Wome's Day, almost 100 years ago, the dynamics and magnitude of women's role in society has more than doubled. She identified that she was pleased to see a mixed audience and indicated that the seminar had, as one of its key objectives, the opportunity to give an understanding of the Draft Green paper document for the National Policy on Gender Development. Also speaking at the seminar this morning, was Permanent Secretary, Angella Jack, who gave the keynote address on behalf of the Honourable Marlene Mc Donald, who was regrettable unable to attend due to work committment.

Gender Training Specialist at the Ministry, Hermian Smart-Findlay gave an overview of the National Policy on Gender and Development as well as a brief understanding of the term Gender. According to Smart-Findlay, gender is not only about sexual, biological differences, but in fact gender relates to the social construct and relations among men and women, their roles based on culture, tradition and developments as these roles seek to develop our society.

She indicated that the overall goal of the National Policy on Gender and Development was to promote gender equity, equality and social justice in the context of sustainalbe human development in Trinidad and Tobago. She also informed that the framework for the Draft National Policy was:
- The United Nationa Universal dclaration of Human Rights
- The Beijing PLatform (15 years old);
- The Convention on the Elimination of discrimination Against women
- The Vision 2020 Strategic Plan;and
- The United Nations Millenium Goals

Smart findlay concluded by stating the process involved in the development of the National Policy and advocated that it was time for action from an individua lperspective to make the Policy a White paper and ready for approal in Parliament.

The following is the address (verbatim) delivered by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Angella Jack on behalf of the Honourable Marlene McDonald, Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs at the Breakfast Seminar this morning.

- Chairperson, Mr. Zephyrine, Director of the Community Development Fund of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs,
- Deputy Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry;
- Staff of the Ministry;
- Gender Focal Points representing other Ministries;
- Participants;
- Specially Invited Guests;
- Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

"Happy International Women’s Day 2010! It is indeed an honour on behalf of the Honourable Minister, Marlene Mc Donald to address this very distinguished gathering, on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2010. Let me begin by extending warm greetings to each one of you. I am glad that so many of you have accepted our invitation to be here, where we had a lovely balance of male and female. To stand in solidarity with women and men all over the world in celebration of the great gains that women have achieved in the past, and to pledge our commitment to future actions for the equitable advancement of men and women in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Gender Affairs Division of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs will host a Breakfast Seminar to commemorate International Women’s Day on Monday March 8, 2010 at the La Boucan room, Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre from 8.00 am.

This year’s theme is “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All” and the Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs the Honourable Marlene Mc Donald will deliver an address at the event. Members of staff at the Ministry, including men are being invited to attend the seminar which has two main objectives:

• To identify the relevance of the Draft National Policy on Gender and Development to the work of all Divisions of the Ministry and

• To commemorate IWD in camaraderie with the members of staff.

The 2010 edition of the Tobago Jazz Festival is set to take place from Thursday April 22 to Sunday April 25, 2010 at various venues on the Sister Isle. The Jazz Festival has earned its place in the Tobago Calendar of Annual events as it attracts thousands to the island to be a part of the finest in jazz, Caribbean cuisine and a the best selection of local musical selections.

The festivities will commence on Thursday afternoon from 4:30 pm on the Waterfront, at the Milford Road Esplanade and is free to the public. On Friday April 23rd, paying patrons and visitors will gather at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park from 7:30 pm for World Music Night featuring Grammy award-winning R&B diva Erykah Badu as well as a cast of local entertainers, which includes Shurwayne Winchester and the band YOU, Lord Nelson, 3 Canal, Mavis John and Dil-E-Nadan, just to name a few. Tickets for this show costs TT300.00

On Saturday April 24th an all day music event which is free to the public will commence from 5:00 am with an event dubbed as Street Beat in Plymouth. This activity will involve street theatre and a cultural procession throughout the village. Following this, there will be an event at the Mount Irvine Bay for some Caribbean Jazz Rhythms at Jazz on the Beach. Then at 5:00 pm on Saturday, the Jazz Caravan rolls into Speyside for a mix of musical entertainment on the beach facility grounds.

The Prime Minister (Hon. Patrick Manning): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago begins as follows:
“Whereas the People of Trinidad and Tobago—
(a) have affirmed that the Nation of Trinidad and Tobago is founded upon principles that acknowledge the supremacy of God…”
It goes on:
“(d) recognise that men and institutions remain free only when freedom is founded upon respect for moral and spiritual values…”
I hasten to point out, it did not say religious values; spiritual values, very significant distinction. It states “spiritual values”; as an importance of the mix that is required to ensure that men and institutions in this country remain free; spiritual values.

These principles are given effect by way of policy in the way governments conduct their business in this country in a number of ways. The first is that in the Prime Minister’s Office, there is a portfolio called Ecclesiastical Affairs and the Prime Minister is the Minister responsible for Ecclesiastical Affairs. In that capacity, the Prime Minister will meet various religious bodies and religious individuals to deal with matters of a religious nature that affect denominations and so on and so on. In many respects he oversees, as part of the general oversight of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, what takes place, and pays special attention to what takes place with religious bodies in the conduct of their business with the State in their relations with the State, as it relates to the work of other Ministries: the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs and so on.

The Community Development Division of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs will host a series of Community-based activities to commemorate International Women’s Day, which will be officially observed on March 8, 2010.

The full list of activities is as follows:

• Thursday March 11, 2010 – Rally and Recognition Ceremony at the Rio Claro Community Centre from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm

• Friday March 12, 2010 – Candle Light Vigil and Cultural Show at Centre City Mall in Montrose, Chaguanas from 6.00 pm. Also on Friday, Women’s Health Fair and Cultural Event at St. Stephen’s Parish Hall, Princes Town from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm.

• Saturday March 13, 2010 – Food Fair and Cultural Show at Cleaver Woods Park, Arima from 9.00 to 4.00 pm. Also on Saturday, Sports and Family Day and Health Fair at the Pleasantville Community Centre from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm.

• Monday March 15, 2010 – Symposium on Equal Rights, Equal Opportunity-Progress for All at the Penal Central Community Centre from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm

• Sunday March 21, 2010 – Cookout and Cultural Show “Come Taste D Pot” at Mission Beach, Toco from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm

• Friday March 26, 2010 – Booth Display and Cultural Show on the Brian Lara Promenade, Port of Spain from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm

All of these events are being hosted in addition to the Health Fair and 5K Run/Walk being put on by the Gender Affairs Division on Saturday March 13, 2010 and the Distinguished Lecture on March 23, 2010.

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CREDITS: Story compiled by Nicola Joseph using information provided by the Community Development Division
Photo courtesy: the Ministry’s Project Unit