"De Mark Buss"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms spoken and explained #69

Yuh is ah Trini|"De Mark Buss"

"De mark buss"... Now what could this mean? Well in the Caribbean region this phrase could have one of two meanings. One relates to  a numbers game brought to the region by our Chinese brothers and the other has to do with a surprising bit of information that recently came to light.

The first use of the Triniglish phrase, "De Mark Buss" relates to the game of "Whe Whe". This game was and still is illegal but not so when it is run by the state. The game relates to thirty six numbers starting from the number 1 and ending in number 36.Each number relates to a part of the human body but also has meaning for events in society or even dreams.  There are players and people who go around and collect 'marks' that are taken to the banker who, at a certain time, will buss de mark. In other words he will draw a number that he chooses (usually picks a number to confuse those who play based on the number (mark) drawn recently. Once the number is revealed ... Well de mark buss! Winners are paid and those who were brave enough to take the mark to the turf then take the winnings to the players (they receive a percentage of the winnings).  This all sounds easy enough but there was a time when the police would raid these turfs and arrest the banker.  Now the government runs a similar game and has named it play whe... this game is legal, go figure!

Now the other meaning of the phrase is one that would lead to plenty gossip. It relates to the saying, "what is done in the dark will soon come to light".  Think about growing up in the islands and in a very quiet neighborhood everyone know each other intimately. However, some people take the intimacy to another level. In other words neighbor Kenny's wife who likes to hang out at Sylvia's home was there not only for the gossip but has something going on with Miss Sylvia's husband. Look lacouray and mischief and serious kankalang! In this situation all is well until "de mark buss". In other words something juicy was revealed and is now the talk under every long mango and tonkabean tree in the area where people gathered to lime in the shade. Now just imagine what takes place after a few shots of puncheon rum at de rum shop!

"De Mark Buss" is just another way Trinis (a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago) have chosen to color the Queen's English. A Trinidiom, a phrase that adds to the conversation and sweetens the tea better than some stringy molasses trailing from a donkey cart from days of ole.

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Peter Minshall Documentary | Produced by Daltan Narine

"Mas Man Peter Minshall", the documentary directed and produced by Trinidad-born freelance journalist Dalton Narine, has won the prestigious Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the New York International Film Festival (NYIFF).

The documentary, a compelling 56-minute avant garde documentary about Caribbean carnival designer Peter Minshall, has also received an honourable mention at the 58th Columbus International Film + Video Festival which will be held in November. Narine described the documentary as neither story nor biography, but a portrait of the Trinity Cross and Emmy Award-winning designer who compiled mas bands across three decades and served as an artistic director for Olympic Games in Barcelona, Atlanta and Salt Lake City.

“We made a very intense effort knowing that the film had been accepted to be shown at the New York Film Festival. We pulled out all stops in editing it to be shown at the major festivals,” said Narine, speaking from his base in Florida, yesterday. Apart from the New York Film Festival, he said the film had been nominated for three other best documentary prizes at film festivals in Ireland, Wales and South Africa.

Mas Man was named the best documentary at the 2009 T&T Film Festival as a work in progress (with 87 minutes running time). The final cut is 56 minutes. NYIFF director Rich Rossi said, “There were a total of 65 documentaries screened at the NYIFF and Dalton Narine’s artistic merit, content and original avant garde style on Mas Man was a favourite among the selection committee and jury.”

via guardian.co.tt

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Aaron Fresh|Bio

Born: February 20, 1993

Aaron Hinton-Marshall, better known by his stage name Aaron Fresh is a Trinidadian American recording artist.

Raised between America and the island of Trinidad and Tobago, Aaron Fresh is a breath-taking combination of West Indian and American culture.

Beginning his love affair with song at an early age, 17-year-old Aaron knew that he wanted to sing by the time he reached seven years old. Aaron is the youngest of two brothers. His family lived in several different cities around the United States until his mother sent Aaron to live with his grandmother in Arima, Trinidad at eight years old.

In Arima, Aaron gained a sincere appreciation for reggae, dub and calypso music.  He drew inspiration from home grown West Indian acts like Buju Banton and Sizzla.

After graduating from Holy Names Prep School and attending Holy Cross College (Arima) briefly, Aaron returned to the States to live with his mother in Southern California. Then one day after school, as Aaron and his friend were rehearsing for their high school talent show and the young man's voice caught the ear of producer Reo Mitchell who has helped him turn in to the successful recording artist he is today.

Source: Young Hollywood (some corrections made to the  original article re home town in Trinidad).

Now here is the side of Aaron that most people from the Caribbean region wanted to hear. Aaron Fresh teamed up with the best of the best in Machel Montano and gave us "Bend Over". "Yuh see the boi is ah true Trini!"

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Future Carnival Dates|Trinidad and Tobago

2011 - March 7 & 8

2012 - February 20 & 21

2013 - February 11 & 12

2014 - March 3 & 4

2015 - February 16 & 17

2016 - February 8 & 9

2017 - February 27 & 28

2018 - February 12 & 13

2019 - March 4 & 5

2020 - February 24 & 25

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300 Trees for Uriah Butler Highway

Putting down roots: Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar is assisted by Works Minister Jack Warner in planting a mahogany tree along the southbound lane of the Uriah Butler Highway, in the vicinity of the Caroni Bird Sanctuary Flyover, yesterday, as Minister in the Office of the PM, Rodger Samuel (left) and Housing Minister, Roodal Moonilal, (right) look on. —Photo: Anisto Alves

via www.trinidadexpress.com

Let's hope that the tree planting project is a success and that the maintenance of the trees is done to ensure that they mature and serve the intended purpose. The 300 trees were donated to the programme by the Chaguanas-based Centrascape Garden Centre, which will also oversee the installation of the trees along the roadway. This is indeed a wonderful gesture on the part of Cerntascape Carden Center. Let's hope that projects like these occur all over the country.

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Shemika Charles|Trinidadian native sets world female limbo record!

Please see Addendum to article below | New Record holder is Kibugi Catherine Wahito from Kenya!

Trini2DBone - you know the saying and may have said it on several occassions. Some even go deeper and say  that they are Trini2DMarrow! Well one must be Trini2DBone or down to the Marrow to slither below the limbo bar and set the World record while so doing. Indeed this is what Trinidadian native Shemika Charles has done. On the  set of the morning show with Regis and Kelley she broke the female limbo record when she slitthered under a bar 8.5 inches from the floor. Shemika was featured on ABC television today on the the "Live with Regis and Kelly' where she performed the feat. Amazing right...Well the current record for men stands at  15.25 centimeters that is just 6 inches! It hurts just thinking about how low and the level of flexibility one has to achieve to limbo beneath that bar.

Shemika who now resides in Buffalo, N.Y. left Trinidad when she was eight years old. Her parents moved to the United States where just four years ago  (2006)  she took up limbo dancing. Her family is multi talented and their band Caribbean Extravaganza is an integral part of her performance that are done in the New York area. Shemika broke the record with the sounds of the steelpan echoing in her ears. The accompanying music was played by her mother Sherry Charles who can make the steelpan sing its own 'chunes'. The event was arranged and monitored by Guinness World Records officials - yes she is now the 'World Record Holder' for females doing the limbo.

The World now celebrates her feat and all Trinidadians can now breathe a sigh of relief knowing the record remains intact in the hands of a born Trini - Shemika Charles! 

Addendum:

New Female Limbo Record Holder | Shemika dethroned by Kenyan!

There is a new female Limbo record holder dated 03/16/2011. Kibugi Catherine Wahito broke the record once held by Trinidadian Shemika Charles by going under the bar set at 20cm (7.87 inches). This is an amazing feat... Congratulations are extended to the Kenyan sister from Trinizagada and the people of Trinidad and Tobago! 
Here is the clip from the Guinness World Records web page:
"The lowest height for a bar under which a female has passed is 20 cm (7.87 in) off the floor, achieved by Kibugi Catherine Wahito (Kenya) on the set of Lo Show Dei Record, in Milan, Italy, on 16 March 2011." 

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RIP Calypsonian Arrow!

Breaking News! AM New York City

It has been reported in chat rooms that calypsonian Alphonsus Cassell better known as calypsonian Arrow has died. The Montserratan recently returned from the United States where he received treatment for the cancer that has plagued his health for the past two years. However, while in Montserrat it was reported that he fell ill with pneumonia and was taken to a hospital in neighboring Antigua where he died early this morning. Arrow of Hot Hot Hot fame was one of the most famous calypsonian because of this mega hit that is known world wide... He will be missed.

Here is the news out of Montserrat....
The Mighty Arrow – Alphonsus Celestine Edmund Cassell died early this morning in Montserrat. Arrow, who is renowned for his globally acclaimed soca hit Hot Hot Hot, reportedly died from cancer. He was 55-years-old. Information regarding the details of his dead have still not been attained.
Source: newsMontserrat.com

The Groove Master is now mixing it up and liming in heaven... His music will live on and we must always remember what the Groove Master wanted us to do... "Keep on grooving!"

Spiceislander.com:

"Arrow has over 33 music albums under his belt. Hot Hot Hot has sold over 15 million copies worldwide, and millions of copies recorded in twelve different languages, and different versions. Arrow made history when he became the first calypso soca artist to be awarded the prestigious MBE by the Queen for his service to music. His music will live on. Rest in peace Arrow we will all miss you."

via uwww.spiceislander.com

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Trinidad and Tobago's Road March Winners|History

Did you know the following:

First ever calypso instrumental recording was done in 1912 by Lovey's orchestra.

First ever vocal calypso recording was made in 1914 when the "Duke of Iron" teamed up with Jules Sims.

First ever calypso tent opened in Port-of-Spain in 1921 was the "Railway Douglas Tent".

First ever female to sing in a calypso tent was "Lady Trinidad" in 1935.

First ever female calypsonian to cut a record was "Lady Trinidad" in 1937.

First ever "Young Brigade Tent" opened in 1947 by 24 year-old Lord kitchener, featuring Lord Melody, Mighty Spoiler, Mighty Viking.

via www.trinicenter.com

We continue to read about how the art form of calypso developed over the years. Trinidad and Tobago is a very unique society and many have tried to take away from our accomplishments but the truth is recorded  historical data which can and will be disputed but never refuted. Just take a look at the dates above and the facts presented about the first instrumental and first vocal recordings of calypso and you will appreciate the fact that Trinidad is really the well from which calypso sprung and blossomed to what it is today. 

This blog has presented a list of calypso monarch winners and today we add another important list. In continuing with the presentation of historical data today we list the winners of the famous Road March Competition as it relates to Trinidad and Tobago. 

1932  King Radio  Tiger Tom Play Tiger Cat
1933  King Radio  Wash Pan Wash
1934  Dougla  After Johnny Drink Me Rum
1935  Lion  Dingolay Oy
1936  Lion  Advantage Could Never Done
1937  Lion  Netty Netty
1938  Lion  No Norah Darling
1939  King Radio  Mathilda
1940  Beginner  Run Yuh Run
1941  Lion  Whoopsin Whoopsin

1942 - 45  N/A No Carnival
1946          N/A No Competition

1947  Pharoah  King Pharoah
1948  Melody  Canaan Barrow
1949  Wonder  Ramgoat Baptism
1950  Killer  In a Calabash
1951  Terror  Tiny Davis
1952  Spit Fire  Post Post
1953  Spit Fire  Bow Wow Wow
1954  Blakie  Steel Band Clash
1955  Happy Wonderer  North American Ballad
1956  Sparrow  Jean and Dinah
1957  Valerie  North American Ballad
1958  Sparrow  Pay As You Earn
1959  Caruso  Run the Gunslingers
1960  Sparrow  Mae Mae
1961  Sparrow  Royal Jail
1962  Blakie  Maria
1963  Kitchener  The Road
1964  Kitchener  This Is Mas
1965  Kitchener  My Pussin
1966  Sparrow  Obeah Wedding
1967  Kitchener  Sixty Seven
1968  Kitchener  Miss Tourist
1969  Sparrow  Sa Sa Yae
1970  Kitchener  Margie
1971  Kitchener  Madison Square
1972  Sparrow  Drunk and Disorderly
1973  Kitchener  Rainorama
1974  Shadow  Bass Man
1975  Kitchener  Tribute to Spree Simon
1976  Kitchener  Flag Woman
1977  Calypso Rose  Tempo
1978  Calypso Rose  Soca Jam
1979  Poser  Ah Tell She
1980  Blue Boy  Soca Baptist
1981  Blue Boy  Ethel
1982  Penguin  Deputy
1983  Blue Boy  Rebecca
1984  Sparrow  Doh Back Back
1985  Crazy   Soucoyant
1986  David Rudder  Bahia Girl
1987  Duke  Thunder
1988  Tambu  This Party Is It
1989  Tambu  Free Up
1990  Tambu  We Ain?t Going Home
1991  Super Blue  Get Something and Wave
1992  Super Blue  Jab Jab
1993  Super Blue  Bacchanal Time
1994  Preacher  Jump and Wave
1995  Super Blue  Signal To Lara
1996  Nigel Lewis  Movin
1997  Machel Montano  Big Truck
1998  Wayne Rodriguez  Footsteps
1999  Sanell Dempster  River
2000  Super Blue|Iwer George(Tie) Pump Up|Carnival Come Back Again
2001  Shadow  Stranger
2002  Naya George  Trinidad
2003  Faye-Ann Lyons  Display
2004  Shurwayne Winchester  De Band Coming
2005  Shurwayne Winchester  Dead or Alive
2006  Machel Montano and Patrice Roberts  Band of the Year
2007  Machel Montano  Jumbie
2008  Faye Ann Lyons Alvarez  Get on
2009  Faye Ann Lyons Alvarez  "Meet Super Blue"
2010  JW and Blaze Palance

List information was sourced from various internet sites with the bulk of the list coming from www.westindianculture.com.

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"Thou Shall Not Horn"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms spoken and explained #68
Yuh is ah Trini|"Thou Shall Not Horn"

Horn meh but doh leave meh.... please!!??? Now that is a man or woman who has no self worth and one who, in the end, will continue to get horn. Well of course you had to ask and here is the meaning of the word "Horn" as it is used in Trin Lingo: It is described as a situation when someone you love (as in a spouse or fiancé) chooses to have an affair while making you believe that you are the one and only true love in their life. 

Horning has its possibilities, impossibilities and great tribulations. It can be fun and pleasurable for the horner-man/woman (one doing the hornin') and full of danger and major trepidation. I can go on but the video below is a good representation of the folly and malice involved showing how love and hate come into play and how the lover can be easily fooled and deceived in believing that all is well with a simple look or caressing of the lover's body.

Beware of and be aware of hugs and kisses that are meant to hide and deceive and those "honey you are my one and only" 'ole-talk' cliché lines. Don't let your heart cloud your judgement and befuddle your brain into an illusion of love and serenity or because you may be horny as hell! Just remember that not only danger could be locked away in a closet but so too can a horner man/woman... If you don't believe me then  run the video clip and when it is done leave a comment...

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Calypsonian Arrow has a brain tumor!

Calypsonian Arrow has a brain tumor and the condition has worsened as reported in Caribbean New Now a web portal that provides Caribbean News. 

Musicmanderek:  "I am asking the shout-box family to say a pray for Calypsoian Arrow. He has a severe brain tumor... He is in hospital; let's pray for a successful surgery and his recovery."

This statement was made in the WACK Radio Shout Box this morning by a Musicmanderek who follows the Caribbean music scene with keen interest.  Montserratian calypsonian Alphonsus Cassell who uses the sobriquet Arrow rose to prominence with his mega hit "Hot! Hot! Hot!"(arranged by Leston Paul) in the 80's. 

There is no denying the significance of this man and the impact that Hot! Hot! Hot! had on the music scene for that period. Leston Paul commented that the arrangement was a blend of soca and rock and roll rhythms and that he " was delighted and honoured to learn that Arrow was among the stellar cast for the summit. “I am glad we both had the opportunity to see Barack Obama create history...I enjoyed his performance on television,” said Paul (Trinidad Guardian Newspapers).

We can and will say a prayer for this brave and famous Monserratian who had and still has the World dancing to the infectious rhythms of Hot! Hot! Hot! 

Photo from Google Images : Link to images

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Pan Sonatas|New York Panorama Champs 2010

1.   Pan Sonatas               472 points         Song: Battle Zone         Arranger: Yohan Popwell

2.   ADLIB                        

3.   CASYM                     

4.   Sesame Flyers             

5.   Despers USA                       

6.   Crossfire                    

7.   Pantonic                     

7.   D'Radoes                   

9.   Harmony                    

10. Boston Metro             

11. Dem Stars                  

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Lootala|Remix Version

Lootayla by Sonny Mann is considered the biggest selling Chutney song of its time but to this day I don't know what "Lootala" means... If you do please enlighten me by leaving a comment to this post.

"In the fall of 1994, a Trinidadian by the name of Sonny Mann debuted with an album of Chutney Soca songs, entitled Soca Chutney. Slowly, the album began climbing the charts. By the summer of 1995, the title song from the album had hit #1 in every country in the Caribbean as well as in the United States, Canada & England. "Lootala" went on become the most successful Indo-Caribbean single of all time, even knocking out Drupatee's "Mr. Bissessar." The Soca Chutney album was also declared the best selling Indo-Caribbean album ever, beating out Terry Gajraj's Guyana Baboo (Mann, 1995)."

From: A History Of East Indian Chutney Music In The Caribbean

This is the remix version taken from YouTube sung by Sonny Man, General Grant & Denise Belfon. I posted this version simply because I like the combination of the voices and especially with General Grant in the mix. 

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"Send me an email!"|Mr. Medley and JewelZ

Pssst!... Hey you, send me an email with all of the details and if dat isn't good enough hit me up on Facebook. Gmail will work and I just love my pc but in the case of meh pardna Kenny send it to his mac book. Here in NYC Time Warner cable will work but for Kenny text him with yuh BMobile phone.

Well friends I wish there was a video to this song but the YouTube clip will do for now and as soon as I get a copy of the tract I will post it for strictly audio play. This song is a remake, musically, of Brother Valentino's (Emorold Anthony Phillip) "Stay UP Zimbabwe" and this flavorful and 'fit for dancing' rendition plays into the social applications used today for easy communication.

Bro Valentino has been given the name "The voice of conscience" and his lyrics reflect this but Mr. Mister Medley featuring JewelZ on this remake put new life into classic music with lyrics to put a smile on your face. At the end of the song respect is given to the originator of the rythym, "The voice of conscience", Brother Valentino. Enjoy the music!

Hey and if yuh liked the post send me an email @ ananda2456@gmail.com with some of your details or just post to my Facebook page....

Brother Valentino|Stay Up ZimBabwe (Instrumental)

Here is a link to "Stay up Zimbabwe" the song's lyrics is available on trinisoca.com. Get the lyrics here: Stay up Zimbabwe Lyrics

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"Foeday Morning"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms spoken and explained  #67

Yuh is ah Trini|"Foeday (Fore-day) Morning"

In Trinidad and Tobago one can wake up in the wee hours of the morning to travel to work and the person so doing will tell you that they woke up foeday morning to get to work on time. Indeed one may ask how did fore-day become foeday well in Trinidad everything takes a life of its own. Fore-day is too formal and as such, foeday found its place in the lingo of the land.

Foeday morning feels best on the Sunday before King carnival takes control of the nation with Sunday giving way to Monday 'foeday morning'. J'ouvert is the name of the game when mud and and ochre colors take precedence as the sun peeks over the horizon to add rays of sunlight to usher in a new day. On this special morning party goers from the night before spill out on the streets chipping to the beat of the music. The music could be from a steel band, a DJ on a truck or simply an iron rhythm section. Foeday morning will also find many masqueraders in mud and various colors but not in costume. It is fun and this foeday morning will be remembered (by those sober enough) as the sweetest start to any day. 

Foeday morning or to be proper fore-day morning simply is another way of saying 'day-break'. Life begins anew with the rising of the sun and we can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that we are alive as we get ready to go about living... We are social creatures and should give thanks to the fact that we have been granted a reprieve and are able to see another foeday morning.

Live, love and be happy because we managed to see another day break. This weekend in New York City the West Indian Carnival Parade will take place. However, on Sunday night many party goers will saunter from several parties as foeday morning shines its light on Brooklyn. They will attempt to bring a piece of home away from home and implant it in the hearts and minds and bodies of the revellers who take to the streets on Eastern Parkway.

On this very special Foeday morning in Brooklyn we have West Indians coming together to dance the night away and relive this gift that the Trinidadian community has brought to the Big Apple for all West Indians to enjoy. 

Foeday morning, Fore-day morning or simply Day Break is not just any rising of the Sun to usher in a new day it is a time of day to make peace with yourself and translate that peace throughout the day in the manner you interact with others. As I said before live, love, and be thankful that we can look towards the east and give thanks for another foeday morning.
Photo source: Trinidad Guardian Newspapers

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Trinidad Rum Festival|Newsd@y

This month  will see the first Trinidad Rum Festival — Angostura’s first festival to celebrate the diversity of rum and its rapidly growing popularity. Whether you are a beverage enthusiast, rum connoisseur, or just want to understand the history of rum and the role this industry has played in our island’s development, the Angostura Rum Festival, an adult social occasion, will have something for you.

Over three days next week, visitors to the festival at the House of Angostura, Eastern Main Road, Laventille, will discover many fascinating facts about rum and taste Trinidad’s finest rums in drinks and food. Visitors will be able to experience the wonderful and diverse flavours that the popular drinks have to offer, as well as try some of the company’s famous signature rum cocktails.

Speaking at the launch of the event last month, Angostura CEO, Wayne Yip Choy said: “It is a chance to get into the festive spirit and discover many fascinating facts about rum, which is part of our history and ingrained into the spirit of Trinidad and Tobago.”

via www.newsday.co.tt

Starting next Thursday (09.09.10) and ending on Saturday (11.11.10) The House of Angostura hosts the first Trinidad Rum Festival that will feature the company's sinature products. Rum lovers will be pleased to learn that "there will be daily sampling of select rum products and cocktails prepared by the award winning professional mixologist Raymond Edwards".

I guess you heard the song, "Rum sweet rum when ah call yuh, yuh bound to come"... This event will be a busy one with rum applications exhibited that would fascinate many.

The house of Angostura produces many products but here are some of the  rums made and sold worldwide:

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"Like yuh eat parrot bottom"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms spoken and explained  #66
Yuh is ah Trini|"Like yuh eat parrot bottom"

"Oh gosh hush nah boi; Choops yuh doz talk to damn much, oh gosh like yuh eat parrot bottom or what?" These words have been said time and again to a very talkative person, male or female. 

The connection is obvious and it simply means that the person who the lingo was tossed at was talking too much and mostly out of context. 

The chatter, like that of the parrot, can be repetitive and annoying at times. Some may say that it would be better to hear the parrot say, "Polly wants a cracker" rather than listen to a "parrot bottom" talking person. 

Now the question has to be asked, "why the parrot bottom".  Well the simply truth is that is that the conversation or chatter is looked upon in like manner and considered a lot of "poop" to put it mildly. 

Yes as funny as it sounds, "like yuh eat parrot bottom" refers to someone who is too talkative for his or her own good with much of the conversation considered to be nonsense. So next time you hear a Trini tell someone that "they eat parrot bottom" know that person was very annoyed and did not think much of the conversation coming from the person 'who dropped the conversation in like manner the parrot simply poops and announces his pleasure for so doing with the typical parrot language.

Well as some of my friends would say, "it was ah whole lot ah 'sheeet' going on and people were upset and 'choopsing' the evening away!"

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"Eh, Eh-eh, eh-heh"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms spoken and explained  #65
Yuh is ah Trini|"Eh, Eh-eh, eh-heh"

Eh, Eh-eh and eh-heh will be heard on a daily basis when you visit Trinidad and Tobago. It is amazing that we all go to school and learn to say things correctly yet still use the local lingo with greater ease than using formal language. Is it because our parents use these words or is it because street talk takes precedence to formal language?  Some people feel uncomfortable using correct English when speaking with our friends and simply feels better using Trini Lingo.

A typical conversation may go like this, "Are you going to the carnival celebrations in Brooklyn?" The reply could be heard like this, "Eh?". Eh yuh say... Well it simply means, "What did you say?". 

Now we get to "Eh-eh". The conversation above could also see a reply that diverts to, "Eh-eh, no".  The bottom line is that the reply simply means, "No, no way or oh no". 

The last part of the "Eh" conversation goes in another direction. This one ,"Eh-heh" could also be a part of the same conversation. The same question could also receive a reply like this one. "Eh heh... My heart is in the ting and I really want to go to the festival but I have to work but since you will be recording it all I feel good that I would be able to be see some of it." Simply put it means, "Oh really? I understand. Yes!"

Well as you can see we are a colorful people in many ways, not only is our carnival a splendor in its own right but if you look at the lingo one may conclude that is it just as rich and vibrant as our people who created it all.  

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"Bram"|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms spoken and explained  #64
Yuh is ah Trini|"Bram"

What.... What de hell was dat? That my friends is the response that would usually follow when there is a sudden noise especially the sound caused by something that fell unexpectedly. However, it could also apply to someone getting a good 'lash'(getting hit) especially from a moving object (like a car for example).

This is the usual response from a Trinidadian (citizen of Trinidad and Tobago...Don't want my Tobagonian brothers and sister to feel left out) to any sudden sound especially when it is sudden and unexpected. Now I know most of you may initially think about "bram" in another manner especially as in 'feting'. So now let's take a look at another use of the word 'bram'.

"Oh ho, ent yuh know dat Trinis will do anything to get to a fete (party)!" Well in the case of a 'bram' this one is a little different to the fetes (parties) that take place in a very organized manner.

So some friends got together and decided that the moment was just right too lime (hang out) with music and friends gathered to have a good time (typical Trni activity). Well as the session continues the crowd begins to increase and this simple lime has evolved into a party of sorts. The only problem is that it has become "a rowdy fete - a wash you foot and jump een party with all kinda ragamuffin behaviour". The quoted information was taken from Tankalanka (http://berdina.tripod.com/tankalanka.htm).

Now you can see that not all lime is just a simple lime, and not all fetes can be termed a 'bram'. Things evolve in Trinidad and a simple word like "Bram" can say different things. Just be aware that one needs to pay attention to the context that the word is used - never take anything for granted with Trini lingo!

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