Trini Christmas is the Best!

Gosh I miss my Trini Christmas... So what's so special about ah Trini Christmas? "Now was that a serious question?" I simply made a statement saying that I miss my Trini Christmas. For those who don't know, and from my experiences, a Trini Christmas is one of the best to experience from my perspective. 

I now live in the United States of America and in this country the big holiday is Thanksgiving; here, the Christmas holiday season is business driven. I am not saying that Christmas in Trinidad and Tobago does not have the business aspect driving the season but there are so many things to look forward to when it comes to a Trini Christmas. Some of the things relate to the foods we eat, the music we listen and the things we do to prepare for the Christmas holiday season. 

As a child growing up in Trinidad during the 60's period Christmas was always special and bothersome at the same time. It was special in that we always look forward to receiving our one toy. Yes I said one toy. Today the kids get toys just about every day now that MacDonalds had found the key to entrapping parents to come again and again because of  the 'happy meal' - a toy driven kid's delight. Well during the 60's period I always looked forward to Christmas because I knew I would receive my new caps gun and sack. This was the period of Bonanza and the Lone Ranger movies that grasped our attention. The one thing we never looked forward too was the cleaning, sanding and polishing of the chairs, sanding and varnishing the wooden floors, painting of the house (especially using oil paint on the window frames) and finally cleaning the yard (getting rid of unwanted grass and mango leaves). Of course we always looked forward to boiling the ham and helping with the preparation of food items. 

Now if we are to have a conversation about food, I must say that Trini foods are very delicious and a true Christmas treat - now this was the best of times. A Trini Christmas will lead to the preparation of the following drinks, cakes and food items: Ginger beer, Sorrel drink, Punch a Crème, Rum Punch (Kids could get a sip of sorrel Carib shandy not the Rum punch), Pastels, Pamie, cassava pone, Black cake, Trini Sweet bread and an assortment of cakes. The food, of course, was very special with Callaloo, 'stewed common fowl', Pelau and so many other Trini delights. One of the very special parts of Christmas was going to the markets to get produce. I remember, and as a child growing up in Trinidad during those early years, the smell of the apples and grapes was just amazing. Eating apples and grapes for Christmas was a treat. Today it is available year round in the supermarkets. Yes my friends, I am fond of my childhood memories that will always lead me to say, "Trini Christmas is the best"!

Well one thing that would let you know that Christmas would soon be here was not listening to people saying, "Lord, last night make cold eh chile". No, no, no... It is all about the music and a special music indeed - Parang! 

Parang music began in the early years of development of the country. Some have said that it was the Capuchin monks who introduced the music to help convert the indigenous people of the Island (Taino Indians). Others have indicated (this is the one that I believe) that the Panyols who came from Venezuela to develop the Cacao plantations introduced the music. The popular areas for Parang are still the country districts - the areas where Cacao plantations once existed.  I tend to believe this because we hear songs like Rio Manzanare (a river in Venezuela) but nothing about Spain or even anything about Central America.  Traditional Parang music include Aguinaldo or seranal that relates to stories about Jesus Christ. Then there is the Guarapo, a secular song with improvised lyrics similar to what the Calypsonians did when the Chantalle reigned supreme. Next is the Estribillo a call and response type of song reminiscent of the early Calypso singers during the formative years of the calypso art form. Then we have Manzanares that is considered a Venezuelan waltz and, as mentioned previously, celebrates aspects of the Manzanare River of Cumana in Venezuela. These are followed by Joropo, Galerón, Picón,Vals (Castillian) and Despedida (a song that thanks the hosts of "the Parang" and literally says farewell). Some of the more established Parang bands (for competition) also play Salsa music.

The joy of the Christmas celebration happens when 'local (impromptu) parang bands' (a cuatro and maraca are all that are needed along with a bottle and spoon back up and some really bad Spanish singing) come to visit one's home. There is so much fun and merriment. The first thing that is served is some slices of ham and of course the drinks follow. Food is served and after several songs the band moves on. Most of the time some member of the household may join this group of merry makers and move on to the next home. This celebration takes place all night into the early hours of the morning - sometime until daybreak!

On Christmas day the children would shower around midday and prepare for the festivities later in the day. This is the time for that very special Christmas outfit that mommy bought and set aside for this special day. The girls, of course, had ribbons in their hair and the boys were well dressed but looked so uncomfortable in their new clothes. For some households the afternoon period could be very quiet but then again as the sun takes its final bow the real fun begins. 

Soca Parang music now getting more airplay on the radio stations than the traditional Parang music. Much has changed but so much has remained the same. The best part of it all is that the spirit of the season remains intact. Have a very merry and bright Trini Christmas!

Daisy Voisin - Alegria, Alegria (Tinidad & Tobago)

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"Trini Love" | Richarde' and Skeeto

Here is  a Trini cover of  "Lost Without You", a song done with so much love and feeling by Robin Thicke but now done by our fantastic Trinidadian duo musician/singer Richarde' and Skeeto. Yes, it appears that Richarde' is making love to the pan (yes I do mean steelpan) moreso that to his lady as lyrically stated by 'pardna' in music, the voice - 'Skeeto'. 

Please support these guys, they are fantastic! I just love it when we get it right and these guys always seem to hit the sweet spot. Great work, a fantastic pannist in Richarde' Bereaux and Kyle 'Skeeto' Amos, the lyrical charmer. Trinizagada (the blog) celebrates our sons of the soil and warriors of our pan and free-style musical art-forms... Nothing short of  'Wonder-Mazement" - B.E.X Audio has done it again!

Production Notes (Taken from YouTube video page):
Trini Love is taken off the mixtape concept 'Status Change' We OWN NO RIGHTS TO THE INSTRUMENTAL USED IN THE MAKING OF THIS SONG!!
Song Title- Trini Love
Artist- Richarde'& Skeeto
Production - B.E.X. Audio
Video Director - Denith McNicolls
Dancers - Leon Brewster and Aliyah Alexander

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"The Hang" | A hybrid of the Steelpan

If you see the instrument one would think that it was formed from the design of the traditional steelpan of Trinidad and Tobago. Indeed, the idea was born out of a study of the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago. The World has taken note of the national instrument and have come up with another creation but this time it was not done by Trinidadians but creative people who saw the potential of the steelpan and took it to a different level of musical creativity.  My first impression after listening to the instrument was that it sounded like someone tuning a traditional steelpan. However, if you go to YouTube you can find some really interesting 'playjng or drumming' with this relatively new instrument (hand-drum).

The Hang (pronounced "hung") has been called 'The Musical Flying Saucer' comes from Bern, Switzerland and is the creation of Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer of  PANArt limited. Now everyone knows that the word 'pan' is used to reference the steelpan  in Trinidad and 'back in the day' they used the term 'beat pan' when referring to playing the pan. The company name used for the Hang references the word Pan (PANArt) and the sound from the instrument is obtained by 'beating' the tonal area with the bare hand.

The Swiss innovators studied the steelpan and other instruments from around the world including the Gong, Gamelan, Ghatam, drums, Bells and Singing Saw before innovating and coming up with this unique saucer 'pan design'.  The  word 'HANG' is Burmese for hand and not surprisingly the instrument is played using your (bare) hands.

The instrument looks like a pan turned upside down and reminds me of watching Boogsie playing the steelpan upside down. However, 'The Hang' consists of two hemispheres of steel fused together is a unique fashion and is played using bare hands instead of 'pan sticks'.  One side (top) is called the 'DING Side' while the bottom area (vented in the middle) is called the 'GU Side'. It is used like a drum and is played similarly. The DING side has eight notes tuned to scale while the GU side is designed without notes (one side is played). The sound is similar to the steelpan but different (listen to the sound from the YouTube video provided below).

Here is a clip from the the Wikipedia article "The Hang":

"The Hang uses some of the same physical principles as a steelpan but with a nitrided surface and structural change of having two clamped shells with a small opening so that the instrument is a Helmholtz resonator.The creation of the Hang was the result of many years of research on the steelpan as well as the study of a diverse collection of instruments from around the world such as gongs, gamelan, ghatam, drums and bells.Metallurgical and acoustic research by the makers has led to significant changes and refinement in structure, design, and process over the years since the first Hang was offered."

Here is another reference to the steelpan from the same article but this time about 'Playing the Hang': 

"The Hang is typically played resting on the player's lap. The Hang is generally played with the hands and fingers instead of mallets. This lighter playing tends to produce a complex overtone-rich sound that could be considered 'softer' and 'warmer' than the 'bright' sound of a mallet based traditional steelpan."

Here is an example of how 'The Hang' is played and the sound that emanates from the instrument. There are many videos on YouTube regarding 'The Hang'. Go ahead and view some - it is a very interesting instrument.

The video was sourced from YouTube; the photos were sourced  from Hang-Music.com-PanArt.

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"Ching Chong Macka Hi Lo" | Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms spoken and explained #106

Yuh is ah Trini | "Ching Chong Macka Hi Lo"

"Ching Chong Macka Hi Lo" may sound funny now but as a child growing up in Trinidad we used this term to mock the Chinese shopkeeper or anyone of Chinese ancestry. We did not know that this was a derogatory term used against our Asian friends. Yes they were and are Trinidadians but we never saw them as such. As a result it was said as a joke. In some circles, we were told that it meant "yuh mudder c*nt" - yes, used to cuss in Chinese (we were so gullible as children). Of course, we were 'one hundred percent wrong'!

The term Ching Chong has been used in many areas of the Globe to mimic Chinese dialogue. Our ignorance has caused this abuse resulting in the phrase becoming an ethnic slur in the most degrading manner.

As a child we used the term as a tease and yes, it was very childish and a very poor imitation of Chinese people having a conversation.  After all these years (decades) not much has changed. We still don't see the Chinese as Trinidadians and they are still mocked in the homeland. Maybe it is because they are not as integrated into the society as are the rest of the people in the homeland. 

Whatever the reasons are we should desist from saying the phrase because it is in fact as insulting as using 'nigger' or 'coolie'. However, for this post we simply took a look at something that was and still is a fact of life in Trinidad... "Ching Chong Macka Hi Lo" is used to tease and even insult our Chinese Trinidadian brothers and sisters.

Some may say if it is so insulting then why highlight it here? My friends, this is more about the slang as it was used in Trinidad; one can tell by the category that this post will reside... "Yuh is ah Trini".  The post is not meant to insult anyone but is meant to take note of a certain time and place decades old now - my childhood!

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"Anytime is Trinidad Time" | Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms spoken and explained #105
Yuh is ah Trini | "Anytime is Trinidad Time"

"Anytime is Trinidad Time"... How many times have you heard this saying? Sometimes it feels like it was a line that was removed from the National Anthem. People say it without thinking about the implications. It is as if it is part of the National psyche! This phrase was, in fact, coined by the late and still great Lord Kitchener from his album entitled Curfew Time on May 20, 1971 (Bonus Track at the end of the post).

So what do you think about that statement... Is it really true? Well one of the first explanation that you will hear about it has to do with the tardiness of the people. It has been said that Trinis will arrive late for anything - a party, wedding or even a funeral and won't care. Well, by now you should know that anytime is Trinidad time!

Today I went to the hospital to visit my daughter and  on my way home I had to take the bus first then the train. While on the bus I was thinking about articles to write about and this one came to mind. However, there wasn't much to say about it. I mean most of the time Trinis are late and we all know this as a fact of Trini life. So what then could I add that would make this post different? Ah ha... the State of Emergency!

Yes, the State of Emergency has caused a change in attitude and just like that people are hustling to ensure that they get home on time; or get to a destination that would ensure that they don't get caught outside of the stipulated curfew hours. This changes things for a while and in this case Trinis are ensuring that they are on time. This time is not 'anytime' because army boots are on the street and they are serious like ah heartbeat.

Anytime is Trini time attitude during this period of uncertainty in Trinidad and Tobago could leave you with enough time to think things through while in detention without bail too. So in the traditional sense we can say that anytime is Trini time and mean that we will be late 'for spite' or simply because we can't help ourselves. Then again, "anytime is Trini Time could mean we will take any opportunity to party and have a good time.

Anytime is Trini Time is so easy to say and most of the time we say it without giving it a thought. I simply rolls off our tongues and bring a smile to our faces. We are TrinBagonians who understand how the term is uses without hurting a cell in our brains. For the person on the outside looking in just know that Trinidadians have a habit of using the same phrase in many different situations with differing meanings. So be careful not to assume that this phrase always means that "Trinis are irresponsible", tardy, like to party too much or is used as an excuse for lateness. 

Indeed, using the phrase, "anytime is Trinidad time" sounds good but at the same time it really is not a good example to follow. Who would want their child to adopt such an attitude - A Trini, maybe?  Well according to the Lord Kitchener we have "no regard for time and when they tell you ten... they coming, but when!"

Now is the time to let the bard ramajay and tell you what we (Trinis) mean by "Anytime is Trinidad Time". Please note that the meaning of the phrase has evolved over time; however, the essence of the great one still has sound meaning in today's society. I purchased this track on Amazon.com; the entire album is available for purchase on the site. Enjoy this classic calypso.

12 - Lord Kitchener - Trinidad Time

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Trinidad's Ginger Beer | Enjoy a delicious and refreshing burn!

Trinidad and Tobago's Ginger Beer | Enjoy the aroma, relish in the taste and refresh in the burn - so delicious!

Gosh I love the smell and taste of ginger. I love ginger so much that I will drink or eat anything that has ginger in it. Ginger drinks are a special delight and should be enjoyed by everyone not because it lights up your taste buds with flavor but simply because  it is good for your general health. Now not all ginger drinks are created equal and one must be careful not to confuse them. I am not talking about ginger ale but good ole traditional West Indian Ginger beer!

In the islands of the caribbean we make a an aromatic ginger drink that we like to call ginger beer. No, it is not beer in the traditional sense of the word but when in the islands don't ask for it by any other name but ginger beer. This really good drinks are spicy and burn like fire on the way down your palette. That is the very traditional ginger beer found in Trinidad - a really fermented brew that not only burns on the way down but also lights up your stomach briefly.

Ah, now that was refreshing, spicy yes and a drink that can really hit the spot is made right. One has to be careful because not everyone can make this drink that that would want to coming back for more. Ginger beer on the rocks is so good when sweetened just right and is even better when brewed correctly with that ginger smack at the back of your throat. One has to be careful with the ingredients because if you add too much clove the drink can end up with a sour taste instead of the wanted gingery flavor. Another item that can ruin a good ginger beer is the container used to ferment the ginger beer. Using plastic is a bad idea. The ideal container is one made of glass.

Ginger beer is the traditional drink of Christmas in Trinidad along with red and even sweeter Sorrel drink. However, my favorite is Ginger beer simply because of the burn that accompanies it. I remember the manufactures of Solo beverages used to bottle a ginger soda that came close to the local brew but it was not really the same but very good on a very hot day. There is a bottled drink that is made in Jamaica that I have purchased and tasted in the United States that comes close to the local brew. However, there is nothing better than the home brewed ginger drink known as ginger beer.

So what are the ingredients used to make a traditional Ginger beer drink? Well the first and obvious ingredient is the ginger root. However, one must get this first step right because the right ginger makes the most potent drink! It is best to get the ginger as fresh as possible. It must be firm and smooth and have a light shine to it. If you notice that the ginger root looks dull in color or is cracked then don't select these - they are not as potent as fresh ginger root. The rest of the ingredients include some lime or lemon juice or another citrus, try grapefruit. Some people prefer to put the lime or lemon peel instead of the juice in their brew. It is good to experiment you may come up with something that is different and delicious. Of course add sugar to taste, cloves (be careful not to add too much since this will spoil the drink and make it sour to the taste) and a Cinnamon stick. Others have added vanilla bean and mint. Of course over a period of time you would come up with your very own special recipe. This is my tip: Don't forget to add a dash of Angostura Aromatic Bitters!

The fermentation process is special. Some people put the ingredients in a glass jar and put it out in Sunlight for a period of time. Others put everything in the jar and place it in the refrigerator while some like to put it in a cool corner in the kitchen. The fermentation process is does not take long from a few hours to a few days. You will determine what is best after a few tries. After the fermentation process is done the contents are then strained to removed the solid particles. The contents are then refrigerated and served cold or with ice in a glass. West Indians love ice in their cold drinks. The straining process also has its do's and don'ts. However, it does not matter how you do it as long as you are satisfied with the finished product. Some people use a strainer with some solids left behind; others use paper towel in a sieve to get out most of the solid particles while other use a piece of white cotton cloth to get the clearest drink.

Ginger beer is really a Christmas drink in Trinidad but some of the food bars selling Roti and other traditional local cuisine may have ginger beer year round. This is a mouth watering drink and a must try if you are visiting the islands for the first time. If you live in North America or Europe or wheresoever then you need to give the recipe a try. If you do please remember to come back here and tell us what you did that made your drink so special and yes... Delicious!

Photo and additional information can be found at the following link: Wha to Cook? |  Ginger Beer

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Food for Thought | What she give meh to rub ah eat!

No not me, it is "he"! What she give meh to rub ah eat? Hell no... What she gave him to rub, he ate it all and damn well loved it! 
Let's take a listen to Lord Blakie and "ah real back in the day classic" - Maria! Oh and by the way, the singers backing up Blakie in this song are Calypsonians Gypsy, Prowler and David Rudder. Don't get too carried away with the song, continue reading the story.

Lord Blakie - Maria

The things that a man will do for love is a many splendid thing indeed. I am sure you have heard someone say that "what she give him to rub he eat!" Yes you can spin it any way you want but in the final analysis the man  ends up 'toutoulbay' and a prime candidate for a spanking brand of Tabanka!

Who is yuh friend? Well a person who falls head over heels in love will be your friend until he becomes a real friend with the love of his life. The days of your friend 'hailing yuh out' to come and lime will slowly diminish to the point where you will wonder if he left the country. The woman becomes everything to him.  When you realize that the man did the lady a favor and "hold de pussy cat that got away" then you have to conclude that in your friend's case he found out that the woman han' real good and she saltfish and dumpling real sweet. Finally, you keep calling and all you get is the answering service; at this point you can conclude that what she give him to rub with the man eat and that the she now has her man (your friend) just where she wants him - right up under her (feet)! 

Yes it is like they bury the boi nable (navel) string in the woman's back yard next to the silk cotton tree he really did not notice when he went to 'take ah leak' late one night. I have a Haitian friend who once told me that as a child his father planted ah banana tree for him in the back yard. As the tree grew so did his manhood. Well as he leaked on the silk cotton tree so did his stay at the woman's house increase. The more he 'watered the tree' the more he wanted to stay. He might say to you that 'she garden want water' and that he was the fireman!

All of the above could be true or just 'ole tawk' as we would say in sweet TnT but the truth is that the boi ate some "lef' han' dumplings"! Hold on now, don't laugh or choops... Lef' han' dumplings are a reality... Just ask any Tobagonian! (No I can't believe you don't know about "Lef' Han' Dumplings: Link Here To Learn!) The art of the "Lef' han' dumpling" is true science that goes beyond the traditional 'Sweat Rice' cook up. Have you ever seen those pot hounds in Trinidad in heat? Some of the male dogs after jumping the female keep humping and walking - a funny sight indeed. Well that is the case after a meal of "Lef' han' dumplings... All the man wants to do is "water she garden" - dat is the goal of the meal and more importantly to make the man ah real chupidee. Love could make ah fool of real sensible men... "well it could very well be for the love of the salt fish"!

What she give the man to rub with... He ate it all! Some people are really funny indeed. I mentioned this phrase to a friend and all he could say was the following: "What she give meh to rub, ah eat and ah like it!  I hope you liked my ramblings tonight and to conclude, let's listen to Destra and Supa Jigga singing "Feel to Wine" aka 'Up Under  Meh".

Destra Garcia & Super Jigga TC- Feel to Wine

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Google Search | Zack Matere: Growing Knowledge

Information is powerful | But it is how we use it that will define us!

I was on YouTube and came across this video. I thought it was interesting enough to feature here today. I really love the final words uttered by Zack Matere: Information is powerful; but it is how we use it that will define us! Isn't that so true!?

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"An Intervention of Hope" | The Original Defosto Himself

An Intervention of Hope (Lives Have Been Saved) | The Original Defosto Himself!

The Original Defosto Himself was a guest on the "Cookup" with hosts Ellsworth James and Kent "The Juice" Parris on Wack radio yesterday. Now he was on the show to release his new song "An intervention of Hope (Lives have been saved) but one would have thought it was about saving face and jockeying for a place in the political arena. Ellsworth James immediately tried to bring up politics by alluding to the fact that the song was in praise of "Sister Kamla" (PM of Trinidad and Tobago); in other words, a song in support of the PP government. No, no, no.... The Original Defosto Himself had to set the record straight! He rightly defended his position and advised the host of the show that it was a patriotic song and not a political endorsement of any political party. Talk about backlash! Take note that he was on WACK radio but at one point it felt like he was back at Skinners Park delivering his rendition of "Sing Louis Sing", the only difference today - No Toilet Paper!

Isn't it amazing how easily a talented son of the soil, a man whom has been seen as the replacement for the Lord Kitchener, could so easily be cast aside simply because we did not pay attention to the lyrics but only saw our own political biases? Whatever your political beliefs are, there is no doubt the songs and music of Defosto are right on tract with the vibes of the country. He is a true Calypsonian, a master of the craft,  who does not wait for the calypso season to release new music. Most people who criticize do so not because the  songs are not good, but simply because he was not supportive of their brand of politics. 

In this day and age of "I have to eat ah food",  I guess Defosto did the right thing and took a job that put food on his table but at the same time it put him in the position of being a traitor! The man abandoned the PNM and jumped ship to the PP was the cry of his ex-supporters. Someone even called in to the show and asked why "he (Defosto) took the car from Jack Warner". Well he rightly replied that he needed transportation - I was laughing my pwefen off! Why shouldn't he have taken the car? He took a job and I am sure was paid well. These calypsonians depend on the Carnival season to earn income so what happens when the Carnival is over... Don't eat? Silly Trinidadians! Oh, and for those who don't know Defosto even reminded the listening audience that he was (and maybe still in his heart) one of the biggest supporters of the PNM!

For those who don't know, "An Intervention of Hope" is a song that was written and sung by Winston Scarborough who is best known as 'The Original Defosto Himself'. Most of his detractors have to admit that the initial feeling was a feeling of betrayal again: "Here we go again, he is supporting the PP with another song". However, when they remove their biases (their political blinders)  and listen to the song, they realize that 'the song' is all about saving the soul of the nation!

Simply put, with crime out of hand in "sweet TnT" the intervention of the Government has saved some lives. How can one be against that? Take a read of the Lyrics to the song below and decide for yourself on the virtues of the song. Please listen the song and read the lyrics as the music envelopes your ear drums. I have placed a copy of the song below for your listening pleasure. Start the music and follow the lyrics posted below the track... It is a beautiful song!

The Original DeFosto Himself - An Intervention of Hope (Lives Have Been Saved)

An Intervention of Hope (Lives have been Saved) 

Lyrics

Verse 1

Right or wrong – weak or strong -all I know – 

lives have been saved

My country – sweet T&T- the people say 

- lives have been saved

Should we have continued to ignore this 

call - for the greater good of all

Should we continue to allow - Trinbago 

to fall

This lock down and curfew -some may disagree 

- and the state of emergency.

Chorus

But I am happy – for the lives we saved recently - hear me 

Very happy - the crime rate gone down 

in T&T (Mamie Oh)

Verse 2

The crime was out of hand – mashing 

up we land - now I’m seeing- lives have been saved

We must take a stand – and do what 

we can - is now or never - lives 

have been saved

So many people are resting safely - without a gun shot or tyranny

So many families are home - with their loved ones tonight

Though some people losing their jobs 

nightly - and for that I am not happy

Chorus

But I am happy - for the lives we saved recently

Hear me – very happy – the crime rate gone down in T&T

Verse 3

Trinbago yuh nice – Trinbago yuh sweet - 

Oh my Trinity - lives have been saved

We want back we paradise - and freedom to walk the street

Yes my Trinity - lives have been saved

I want to thank the powers that be - Kamla - the police - and the army

Please don’t forget them big bandits in jackets and tie

The drug trade - bigger than you and me - that had people wild - on a killing spree

Chorus

But I am happy - for the lives we saved recently

Hear me – very happy – the crime rate gone down in T&T

Tag

Lives have been saved - lives have been saved

I am happy – for the lives we saved recently

- tell them for me

Lives have been saved - lives have been saved

So very happy – the crime rate gone down in T&T (repeat)

Lives have been saved - lives have been saved

I am happy – for the lives we saved recently - tell them for me

Lives have been saved - lives have been saved

So very happy – the crime rate gone down in T&T 

(repeat)

An Intervention of Hope (Lives have been saved) The Original DeFosto Himself

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"Dat Boi is Salt" | Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms spoken and explained #104
Yuh is ah Trini | "Dat Boi is Salt"

"Dat boi is salt - he is in every t'ing!" Now you must have heard someone, 'yuh tanty', uncle, 'compère' or 'nenen' use that phrase before when referencing some family member or friend in the community. So to say, "Dat boi is salt" is a reference to the fact that he is in just about everything but in a favorable manner. This is not a derogatory statement; as a matter of fact it is a compliment. 

Now if someone should say the Toby from the Wack radio shout-box is salt one would have to pause and reconsider it because in this reference it is not that Toby is in everything but because he is so likable that a reference is made to salt because it is considered a valuable commodity. Yes Toby is very likable and it is alright to refer to Toby as "salt"... Yes, "Dat boi is salt".

This reference to salt in such a positive light is not unique to Trinidad or Trinidadians. In the very early days and in this regard I will make reference to the Holy Bible, I will make reference to Matthew chapter 5 verse 14 (King James version). The reference to salt is as follows: "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." Throughout the history of man salt has had a place of importance. "Salt of the Earth" is another reference to salt in a very positive manner. 

However, in today's society too much salt is not good for you and may lead to high blood pressure and other ailments. In today's society salt is used to flavor food but at the same time it now has a bad reputation in Northern societies. This may or may not be the case in the Caribbean region where you will regularly hear, "put some salt to give the food some taste". Another reference to salt is, "like yuh in love, this food has too much salt!"

However, the gold standard for salt remains in the phrase, "Dat boi is Salt". Always remember that it is a reference to someone who is everything but not in a negative way. The person always seems to have a positive impact and the reference made implies that the person is admired by everyone... Yes, one can make that reference to Toby (Isn't there a Toby in your life?).

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Maljo (Mal Yeaux) | Jharay | Yuh is ah Trini!

Triniglish|Trinididioms spoken and explained #103
Yuh is ah Trini | "Mal Yeaux (Maljo) | Jharay"

This thing has been going on too long; and the child is not getting any better. Leah's parents are at their wits' end. Baby girl has been sick for one week; she is not eating much and vomits whenever she does manage to take a mouthful or two. What is wrong? The doctors don't seem to know what is going on and the problem still exists. Hello people.... Wake up and "Jharay de Chile, she has been struck with the 'evil eye' because she is just to damn cute!" So who would do such a thing to such a young child? 

Well listen up... Mal Yeaux (pronounced Maljo in Trinbago) or as some would say 'bad eye' or 'evil eye' can be cast by just anyone - even your next door neighbor! Just ask any Trinidadian, any type of pain or discomfort can be blamed on good 'ole maljo'. Now when one thinks of this malady, in the traditional sense, the conclusion is that only babies can get maljo... If you have assumed as much then you are so incorrect. 

Think back for a moment to a time when you were a child growing up in Trinidad. Think really hard because I will make reference to something that you have seen and have forgotten or have seen but never really given any thought. Can you recall seeing blue bottles lining the fences of your neighbors property? Some of the blue bottles (like the milk of magnesia bottles) were strategically placed in the four corners of the lot or as I have seen they lined the boundaries of the lot - now why would someone go to all this trouble? Do you think it was a way to decorate, to be unique or just another way to make use of the bottles? NO, no, no, these bottles were placed there to ward off evil spirits and people who carried bad spirits looking for an unsuspecting host -yes the adults believed that they too can become a victim of Maljo! The blue bottles, for some reason unknown to me, were believed to ward off the evil spirits. This could have also been accomplished on a personal level by wearing Jumbie beads. Of course you can remember Jumbie beads... Well can you? They were the red and black beads that came from a pod that children used to play with; they were laced into a bracelet and worn to ward of evil. 

OK, so what happens if you did not take the necessary precautions and for some reason you got the bad eye "mal yeaux hex' and your spirit became very troubled leaving you restless and very ill. Well as a child growing up in Trinidad I have seen the ceremony performed to get rid of this 'spirit sickness'. The ceremony was performed by the more experienced and knowledgeable folks in the village and was usually done as part of an East Indian ritual. The way to get rid of the evil was done via a ritual called "Jharay". 

Now how is the "Jharay done"? Now I had to call a few people to put this one together but each person said something different but a few commonalities stood out. The main component was the number five (5). The materials and sayings were all done in 5's. It is a healing prayer that suppresses the evil eye spell, forces it to leave the person and enter a packet of ingredients that is then burned to destroy the evil or simply send it back to the person from whom it came. This ceremony, as I can recall, was mostly done to remove evil from children. However, there are people in Trinidad who use the Jharay to remove not only evil but sickness from adults. However, we will concern ourselves with the removal of the 'evil eye' that gets the sould of child sick!

The jharay ceremony, as mentioned before, is usually done by an East Indian elderly woman, priest or someone who has done it over the years (usually an older experienced nana or nani). I have read about the use of peacock feathers in the ceremony but I can't remember seeing any feathers used in my neighborhood. Five cocoyea leaves from the coconut tree branch are used. The green leaf is stripped from the stalk (stalk is used in the ceremony). This stalk is the same unit that is used to make cocoyea brooms. These brooms are used in just about any traditional Trini home not only to sweep the house or yard but also to beat out evil spirits (this has to do with all people of Trinidad not just East Indians). Now that the cocoyea stalks have been acquired the rest of ingredients used include the following: 5 bird peppers (pronounced bud peppers), five cloves of garlic, some salt (maybe just a pinch) and in some cases black pepper seeds are added - everything is added in fives. The smaller ingredients are wrapped in  a piece of paper or cloth and passed over the child five times in a circular fashion. The same is done with the cocoyea sticks. The key to the ceremony is the prayer that is done while the jharay is performed. The prayer itself is also said five times. In a traditional sense the prayer is said in Hindi but in the real World the prayer is said in English. The priest or priestess simply tell the evil spirit to return to the sender... After this is done the ingredients that were used in the jharay are burned. This part of the ceremony (the burning) is done as a final right to destroy the evil spell but caution must be taken at this point. No one is supposed to look at the ingredients being burnt. Just as is the case in the bible where fleeing from Sodom Lot's wife disobeyed the advise of the angels and looked back and turned into a pillar of salt...When the burning of the cocoyea sticks and ingredients used in the jharay are being burned one must not look in that direction or else the evil spirit will come to you and attach itself to your soul.

Now that ends the Mal Yeaux and Jharay story. However, I can't tell you that Mal Yeaux (Maljo) is real or even if the ritual of purging the evil eye (Jharay) really works. In order for the jharay to work one has to believe that Mal Yeaux (Maljo) is real. All I can say is that I have been there when the jharay was done and I was told that the child had Mal Yeaux (Maljo). This belief does not only exist in Trinidad but in various islands and countries across the Americas and India. The Spanish lands of South America have similar beliefs - we are not alone. Just keep in mind that when modern medicine can't find a reason for your illness that it could be the cause a symptom of a hex from someone with a 'bad eye" also known as Mal Yeaux (Maljo)! Remember the cure - Jharay! 

Now that Leah's parents have an idea of what could be wrong with her they are still perplexed; indeed to repeat myself they are unable to think what to do. They live in Queens in NYC not in the Caribbean where the ingredients area readily available. I am leaving the comment section open here for advice!

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"Doubles" | Barra and Channa with Chutney and Pepper!

It has been said that Trinidadians have all gone 'yellow belly' since 'Doubles' have become a prime source for a quick snack during the lunch hour. Lines can be seen in the popular areas and a thriving business takes place for curried Channa spiced just right and sandwiched between fried tender soft chappatis.

Yes we are talking about Barra and Channa (Chick Peas) spiced with Chutney and serious hot sauce (made from Trini yellow peppers). It tastes even better if one can add a little bit of curried mango sauce and or some "shadow benni" dressing. Now not all doubles are created equal and the line will tell you who has the best just the same way you know who has the best 'bake and shark' sandwiches in Trinidad.

Flavor is the name of the game and if the taste is right then stand in line and wait. However, never make the mistake and don't buy enough because you will regret having to stand in line again.

I was able to locate a recipe for those adventurous enough to attempt making their own doubles. The recipe comes from the very famous "Naparima Girls' High School Cookbook". Give it a try but you will have to do it a few times before you get a product that you can say, "Yes this is the damn t'ing self!"

Ingredients for the Bara:

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 teaspoon curry powder

1 teaspoon gheera (cumin)

1/2 tsp ground pepper

1 teaspoon yeast

1/3 cup warm water

1/4 tsp sugar

Oil for frying

Here are the ingredients for the Channa (Chick Peas) filler:

1 14 oz Channa, tinned

1 tablespoon curry powder

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, sliced

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 tsp ground geera (cumin)

1 tsp Pepper sauce

2 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

The following video was sourced from Google's YouTube and is presented here so that you can smile and also yearn to eat some'doubles now. Doubles have come a long way in our beloved Trinbago!.

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"Storm" | Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms spoken and explained #102
Yuh is ah Trini | "Storm"

The Gathering Storm is a television film abut Sir Winston Churchill; it is also f fantasy novel by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. However, in Trinidad the word "Storm" can be intepreted in many different ways and I can assure you it will not have anything to do with a television film or any novel. In Trinidad and Tobago the word "Storm" takes on a life of its own that can, and will, leave a smile on your face or simply leave you puzzled.

Now if I mention the word Storm to you I bet your first response will be that some form of inclement weather pattern is approaching. In the Caribbean region Storms can be very devastating. However, in Trinidad and Tobago when this type of weather approaches the word storm is not the first description of the weather pattern you will hear. It would be somewhat of the following: Boi like some real bad wedder coming!" Don't be alarmed in this case the word 'wedder' translates to 'weather'. So the storm is a "bad wedder pattern". That is easily understood as an "approaching storm".

Now the next use of the word "Storm" is one that would bewilder you but not any Trinidadian. If you have ever seen anyone sneaking into a party or as we say in Trinidad "ah fete" or a group "gate crashing" a party then you have seen people 'storming the party or fete". In this case the word "storm" is used as an adjective to describe the act of 'gate crashing'. As a true 'Trini' would say, "I was dey and I eh pay...Ah damn well storm the fete".

Now isn't that interesting? Over the years we have taken the way we speak for granted because we live it and that rolled off our tongues since we were young. Now even though most Trinidadians have finished High School and know the correct usage we still tend to use the 'local slangs' when speaking with our friends. It would sound out of place to speak correct English. However, don't for one minute, believe that the way we speak is the way we put pen to paper...

I am sure that you have spoken about 'storming ah fete' or have referred to a storm as a 'bad weather pattern' before. Now that it has been highlighted here in this post I am absolutely certain that you have a smile on your face!

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"Yuh know what is ah Bull-Pistle" | Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms spoken and explained #101

Yuh is ah Trini | "Yuh know what is ah Bull-Pistle"

Watap... Huh! Watap... Oh Gawd! This is a serious situation and one that any Trinidadian from 'back in the day' could relate to with a smile. The smile is not because one has experienced the essence of the bull-pistle  but because most Trinis look at the Bull-Pistle as the "equalizer". Many stories are told about  the 'Bull-Pistle" or "Bull-Buoy'; some are serious but the majority are told as a joke.

If you ask anyone who knows about the "bull-pistle", who has seen someone receive a bull-pistle stroke or even experienced it will tell you that the first blow always freezes the person into a state of stupor - the senses are dulled and the person remains in a trance like state with only his muscles reacting to the blow. The reaction is immediate with the muscular system making a seated man stand erect. That is the state of the first "Watap".

The second stroke comes with more intensity and rage because the first apparently did not translate into the desired effect. The intensity of the blow is so strong that the person's nervous system alerts the individual to the danger at hand. He notices everyone around him scampering to safety then the burn and sting of the second 'wrap-around' of the bull-pistle singes his skin with a burning and irrational groan forced through his vocal cords. Immediately it is the flight of fright and he becomes the latest edition of Usain Bolt. No one ever knew that he could run that fast after a late start. That is the magic and the lesson of the bull-pistle...Never stay around to receive the second blow!

Now for the novice or the person who does not know about the bull-pistle here is the deal. It is like a piece of leather that is worth its weight in gold. The penis of the bull is removed and stretched, and cured making it very elastic and surprisingly strong. The person wielding the bull-pistle can cut through clothing if he knows to wield the penis the way the jab jab mas men used to do. It will sting, it will cut through skin and it will leave a lasting memory in the mind and flesh of the person receiving the bull-pistle stroke.

Receiving a stroke from a 'bull-buoy' can never be seen or mentioned as a 'stroke of luck' for the recipient but results in a good laugh for the person who, while liming with the 'boys', told the story of the day the bull-pistle reigned blows on Scottie's broad shoulders...Who is Scottie? Ah ha... Another day, another time, another tale!

OK, time for some music to go along with this post... Here is Maestro's "Bullpistle"... Enjoy!

Maestro - Bullpistle (Rampage)

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Music Copyright Laws to change in European Union!

Copyright on musical recordings extended from  50 To 70 Years in EU (The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states in Europe!

This is very interesting news for recording artists. As everyone knows after 50 years musical recordings are free of the copyright rules and can be freely used without cost. This will soon change in Europe.

The Europeans have decided to protect the recorded material for a further 20 years. Many musicians and recording artists are very pleased with this announcement. It is expected that the US recording industry will soon follow this iniative by the European Union.

The following paragraph was sourced from Wikinews: 
"The Council of the European Union has voted yesterday to extend the term of copyright on sound recordings by twenty years, from 50 years to 70, preventing a number of early recordings of 1960s rock musicians including The Beatles from entering the public domain. The 1962 hit "Love Me Do" would have entered the public domain in 2012 if this legislation had not been introduced. EU member states have to enact the copyright extension within two years."

The article can be read in its entirety at the following link: Copyright on musical recordings extended by twenty years in EU.

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Black is Beautiful | Miss Angola Wins Miss Universe Pageant

Last night Miss Angola, Leila Luliana da Cost Vierra Lopes, won the 2011 edition of the Miss Universe beauty pageant. Miss Vierra Lopes won the contest from a field of 88 competiting beauties, including Trinidad and Tobago's delegate Miss Gabrielle Walcott.

The contest was held in São Paulo Brazil, where the reigning Miss Universe, Mexico's Ximena Navarerete placed the crown on the newly crowned Miss Universe.

It looks like Great Britain can take some pride in Miss Lopes' win since she was initially crowned Miss Angola UK before going on to win the title of Miss Angola and eventually representing her country. I am sure the Angolan community in the UK are celebrating this win tonight.

Miss Lopes continues the trail breaking path set by the first person of color to win the title, Trinidad and Tobago's Janelle "Penny" Commissiong who won the title in the Dominican Republic in 1977. We wish Miss Lopes a successful reign as Miss Universe 2011. Black is indeed beautiful, once again! World Map View from Wikipedia

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“A Tribute to Sparrow — Boogsie on the PHI!

New music from Len "Boogsie" Sharpe: “A Tribute to Sparrow — Boogsie on the PHI!

"Boogsie", as he is fondly known was interviewed by the  Trinidad Express  Newspaper and was quoted as saying the following when asked about using the PHI pan and the music of the Mighty Sparrow:
"Working with the PHI is easy; it allows you to create your own recording and I did it in the comfort of my own home."
Commenting on his reason for choosing Sparrow, Boogsie said, "Because he has so much sweet music and it is my intention to bring back pan music in the party. I have done the songs in different moods and it is just music to dance. It was not easy choosing the songs; this man has so many good songs."

You can read the entire article from the Trinidad Express at this link: Boogsie pays Tribute to Sparrow.

Here is a listing of the tracks on the Compact Disc!

1.  Congo man
2.  Dan is de man in the van
3.  Drunk and disorderly
4.  Education
5.  Jane
6.  Memories
7.  Panman
8.  Rose
9.  Royal jail
10.  Sa Sa Yea
11.  Saltfish

Listen to a sample track from the forthcoming release... If you are a lover of pan music, traditional or electronic then this is one to get - "Come on, "Boogsie" is making the pan sing for yuh!"

Len -Boogsie- Sharpe - Rose

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Boogsie, Earl Brooks Jr. and Machel | Royalty at NALIS Book Launch

The stars aligned for the kids at Nalis for the launch of Machel Montano's "Boy Boy" Book launch. Len Boogsie Sharpe, and Earl Brooks Jr. Play the old and new versions of the national instrument as Machel sings about this 'Magic Drum' - What a wonderful moment and one that the children should remember for a long time.

This is a very moving and wonderful moment not just because it was the launch of Machel's "Boy Boy and the Magic Drum" book launch but because it was all about passing on something to the next generation.

Boogsie, Earl Brooks Jr. with special guest Earl Brooks Snr. play and sing to the children while telling the children about the P.H.I (Percussive Harmonic Instrument). This is another side of Machel that we need to know and see more of on a more regular basis. The singer extraordinaire did a wonderful job relating the story of what the instruments can do while encouraging them to participate in the event.

I recently saw much hate heaped against this artist at the recent Brooklyn Labor Day Carnival performance. After watching this video I realized that those who think that Machel deserves the scorn of the public are so wrong. Yes some artists become spoilt from all the fame and success but just look at Machel interact with the children... I can't hate the man and his music is just sensational.

I applaud Machel and even though I am late with the Boy Boy presentation all I can say is better late than never... Trini 2D Bone!

Machel Montano Dip Publishing and Nigel R Khan Booksellers

Dip Publishing's own Machel Montano at the re-launch of his book Boy Boy and the Magic Drum at Nigel R Khan Booksellers location at Trincity Mall. Nigel R Khan, the exclusive distributors of this book in Trinidad and Tobago and everything that's Dip!

Machel Montano - Magic Drum (Soca 2009)

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Miss Trinidad & Tobago | Miss Universe Delegate

The Miss Universe contestants are in  São Paulo, Brazil for the 2011 Miss Universe pageant. The glamour show  will be take place on Sept. 12, 2011. 

The photo above is that of Miss Gabrielle Walcott who represents the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Miss Walcott is 27 years old and lives in Port-of-Spain, the capital of Trinidad. 

Former Trinidad and Tobago Miss Universe winners include Wendy Fitzwilliams who won the title in 1998 and Janelle Penny Commissiong who was our first winner in 1977.

This is the 60 th. anniversary of the competition and it will be showcased at the Credicard Hall in  São Paulo Brazil. Gabrielle hopes to follow in the footsteps of these famous Title holders. 

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Caribbean Festival Weekend | Atlantic City Carnival

Another Carnival but this time another try for the State of New Jersey. New Jersey has promoted the Jersey City and East Orange Carnival celebrations but they have not had much success with these events. However, this new idea should raise some eyebrows... Carnival on the 'Boardwalk' of Atlantic City!

The Caribbean Arts Foundation together with the Mayor of Atlantic City New Jersey presents Caribbean Festival by the Sea. The event, first for Atlantic City, is a sponsored by Showboat, Bally's, Harrah's Casinos and the Atlantic City Governing authority. That means that right after Labor Day Carnival you can now prepare for more of the same but this time in Atlantic City. This is the first year that Atlantic City will host this event. If all goes well this could be the next big Carnival weekend in the United States following Toronto, London and New York and act as a primer to the Miami Carnival events!  Now even though this event is billed as a 'Caribbean Festival' it is really based on Trinidad Carnival with Trinidad Carnival bands and artists participating in this weekend's activities. The costumes are from Trinidad and the recent Brooklyn Carnival Parade. The event is patterned after the Trinidad Carnival modes as are all the major 'West Indian Carnival Festivals in North America and England.

Just think about it for a moment...The Casinos, boardwalk and hotel rooms at reduced rates to encourage those who celebrated Labor day Carnival in Brooklyn. The idea is to encourage these Carnival lovers to come to the boardwalk take in the last of the Summer sunshine and Ocean breezes while enjoying the glamour of the Casino night life. It is the City that never sleeps and the idea of Soca and Calypso, and wining taking place in this glitzy environment could lead many to bypass some of the other carnival events and simply head to Atlantic City for the weekend. 

To take a line from Calypsonian Crazy, "In time to come" this could be a major Carnival destination in the US. This weekend starts off at Harrards Hotel Grand Ballroom with an "All White Attire Ball" that is billed as a Fundraiser Dance event with a fee of $20.00 to get in.

The next day, Saturday starting at noon will be the traditional Costume Parade that will take place from Showboat Casino to the Hilton parading along the boardwalk to Bayer Field Stadium Area. At the Stadium the organizers have arranged a free live concert inclusive of vendors with a variety of foods and drinks. Calypso Rose is scheduled to perform at the event. You will have enough time to parade then return to the hotel and prepare for a Masquerade Ball at Harrards Grand Ballroom. The start time for this event will be 10:00 pm and will also cost $20.00 to get in.

Well if you are a lover of Carnival and like going to Atlantic City to relax then this is the Weekend to do it. West Indians living in the Tri-State area will take advantage of the close proximity of Atlantic City and attend the event. It is also a good opportunity and a damn good excuse to take your visiting family from the Islands to the boardwalk if just for one weekend. Visit the Facebook Promotion Page for more information.

The promotion is simply this: 

"This is Mas, we bringing it to Atlantic City - Come join Us!"

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"The Kirk and Roxann Show"

"You've waited long enough"....... Damn right Kirk, ah want to know what all the suspense is about? What is the Kirk and Roxanne Show? "It will be unleashed". Ok, well start the series, it is about time."Now stop being so macocious and WAIT!"  Hell no... I want instant gratification but I also realize that it would make things easy if I subscribed to www.youtube.com/kirkbud or join the Facebook page-KB Productions.

Well folks I am struggling to put this post together because I really don't have much information about this pilot project. However, it looks interesting enough to post something about the show. It could very well be an online hit! Well I had the opportunity tonight to watch "Rum or Sex" and found it to be very interesting. Take a look and leave some feedback... "Be ah Maco, watch the show and tell them what you think".


Here are my thoughts - no I was not listening to Soca or Chutney!

Filmed in Trinidad and Tobago, The Kirk and Roxanne Show takes a look at the simple things that most of us overlook at times but are always consumed with sometimes with negative impact. Take for example the show "Rum or Sex" that peeks into a bit of race relations that permeate the society but is seen in a different light by the two main races in the society - the peoples of East Indian and African ancestry.

The African element and the East Indian element and the making of a society that is still confused and suspicious of each other after 49 years as an independent nation. A simple choice of music was seen as Soca music for sex and chutney for rum. One music lyrics is seen from the Indian perspective as promoting promiscuity while in the eyes of the African sister chutney music is seen as promoting alcoholism that could lead to broken homes. Culture could be a blessing but it all starts in the home and what children are thought. To this day we can't seem to come to terms with our identities and the fact that we are different people from different places but Trinidadian by birthright. Our cultural identities are fascinating but until we start to learn about each other we will continue like crabs in a barrel.

One can view the video and see many different things. A simple plot with a strong message. Kirk and Roxanne may have a hit on their hands. I am pleased to promote the show on Trinizagada. The Rum or Sex segment can be viewed at this YouTube Link: Rum or Sex. Kirk suggests in the final sequence of the video clip... "Yuh think Chinese or Syrians might have any music we could play?" It is interesting to note that in the end, they realized the problem but were left in puzzlement as to the answer to the problem... That is where you, the viewer is left to resolve the problem. What would it be for you Rum or Sex?

Hey did you know that Roxanne Singh is also a recording artist.... Listen

ROXY SINGH - WHATS S GOING ON (MOUNT ZION I RIDDIM 2011)

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A cure for Hiccups|And local remedies|Yuh is ah Trini

Triniglish|Trinididioms spoken and explained #100

Yuh is ah Trini | Yuh know what is 'A cure for Hiccups|And Local Remedies'

Gumbo Lai Lai: "W'en yuh have hiccups, yuh doz stick piece ah paper with spit... Yeah man! stick ah bit ah  paper on yuh"forrid" an it cure yuh hiccups. ... but it mus' be spit!"

Dutchtrini: "That's an old remedy also you can use a piece of thread."

Trinionly: "Yes, but the thread was only used for children."

Coconutjoe: "Drink from the other side of a glass of water."

Now after reading the previous conversations that took place in the Wack shout box one might conclude that Caribbean people are too superstitious or easily mislead. However, if you noticed the very last comment where CoconutJoe implied that if one drinks water from the other side of the glass (from the top which really makes you swallow air) then one should realize that Caribbean people are not the only gullible people out there. I learn't about that one in New York!

Now don't get me wrong I did not say that Caribbean people,are indeed gullible, but I implied that just about anywhere people will believe anything in the hope of solving their problems. I really don't know if placing a piece of paper with spit (saliva) on your 'forrid" (forehead) will cure your hiccups. However, if you want to try this creole remedy please remember to use spit eh! If you use water the hiccups will get worse but when laced with spit everything will be OK... Maybe pigs will fly too! However, the same can be said about drinking water 'from the other side of the glass'("mind over matter...Maybe). I had the hiccups a few years ago and my brother-in-law 'gave me the remedy' to cure the hiccups - drink the water from the top side of the glass. He is a Jewish American dentist! Did it work? Well the next time you get the hiccups try it!

Now seriously speaking, have you ever put spit on a piece of copy book page (that was the main source of paper when I was a child) on your 'forrid' and it really cured your hiccups? Well did it? Those 'old time' remedies must have had some positive impact to become so widespread throughout the land... Well, why did it have had such an impact? I know for a fact that in the days of cloth diapers with the big safety pins (to hold it in place) people used to 'jaray' children. Parents used to pin 'kakajab' or 'blue' is a piece of cloth on the kids to prevent maljo and also to ward off evil spirits! We also cannot forget that they used to run a piece of thread between their lips 'soaking it in spit (saliva)' and placed it on the children's 'forrids' to stop hiccups! 

I think from now on I will be heading to the Wack shoutbox to chat with my friends to find needed cures for my aches and pains (I am seriously thinking about taking a break from using ibuprofin and tylenol). I only wished I had the option to go in my back-yard and get some lemon grass (fever grass), bay leaf, soursop leaf or vervine to make some tea. The dogs swear by the fever grass! Have a barking time with your local pot-hound and he/she will tell you that it is their 'cure it all' remedy. This is one plant the dogs never pissed on but would always be seen eating whenever they looked 'kargoo' (sickly). The older folks will recommend that you use some aloe vera, chandelier, Bois Cano, wonder of the world leaf and Zebapique once in while to keep the body functioning right.

I remember Lord Relator had a song called 'Bush Medicine' and it was fitting then that the 'worm grass' used to show the worms where to pass (worm grass has a really nasty scent - it stinks); indeed it is also fitting that we should relive those wonderful years by listening to this master lyricist sing that song once again. As a fitting tribute to local remedies, please press the play button below to listen to this classic song.

Bush Medicine by Lord Relator

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Curfew hours pushed back in 'TrinBago' | 11 PM To 4 AM

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago with a majority vote of 28 to 10 decided to extend the current State of Emergency until the first week of December. The original declaration that was instituted on August 21 will now be extended a further three months. However, The hours of the curfew will now be from 11:00 PM to 4:00 AM.

There was traditional politics in the Parliament where we had all government ministers voting to extend the State of Emergency and all the opposition members present voting to prevent the continuation of the State of Emergency. Two opposition members were missing for the vote. Ex Prime Minister Patrick Manning who represents San Fernando East and Patricia McIntosh who represents Port-of-Spain North/St.Anns were absent.

There was drama and some 'picong' (teasing/stinging remarks made in a jesting manner) as government and opposition members went after each other to score points with the citizenry. In the end the government had it way and the emergency laws were extended a further three months.

"It is now or never", said the Prime Minister as she concluded the debate proceedings. She gave notice of a plan of action to deal with the criminal activities in the land. She advised the people that the government was not targeting PNM areas in the country. The  Prime Minister assured the nation that “We will continue to target so-called business that supports criminal activity and that are aligned with it and which provide a cover for crime and criminal activities.” Well the nation wants to hear these words but at the same time they want to see the results. Most people think that the government is playing politics and are only targeting the 'small fish' while allowing the 'big fish' to continue pillaging the nation. The blogs and chat boxes continue to say that the current State of Emergency is a joke. The Prime Minister is not concerned about what people think but continues with the belief that the efforts of the government will bring some peace in the land.

The Prime Minister also revealed that along with the State of Emergency and the 'plan of action' efforts will be made to transition the society into one that is peaceful and productive. She spoke about the implementation of social programmes and other ministerial initiatives which the government hopes will give the nation's youth some hope.

The new hours of the State of Emergency will ease the burden placed on the nation giving people enough time to conduct and finish business before getting home in time to their families. Let us all hope the same is not true for the criminals whom are also monitoring the situation.

This part of the year is the lead up to Christmas... Parang festivities will surely be affected by this State of Emergency. I am sure we will be reading about this soon. In the interim let us keep hope alive and leave it all in the hands of those whom are responsible for National Security in Trinidad and Tobago.

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WIADCA Panorama 2011 | Brooklyn, New York USA

It is Panorama again but not in Trinidad but at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City. This can mean only one thing, Carnival is here again! Yes, it is Labor Day Carnival celebrations in the Big Apple and West Indians are dancing and feting bringing the sounds of the Caribbean to life in the Tri-State area. The West Indian Community with special reference to the Trinidadian sector of the communities know and love the Brooklyn 'steelbands' very well and will be out in force to support "we own tonight". Let's hope the judges don't leave people upset this evening. 

It is 'Pan in Yuh Pwefen' tonight and we like it so! Surely it sounds like Trinidad Panorama but the interviews and the voices heard are not the same that we are accustomed to hearing back home. The voices have an American accent mixed in with various 'twangs from the Caribbean diaspora'. It is unique but unusual at the same time. This year, in Trinidad and Tobago, we lost the golden voice of Allyson Hennessy, a voice that Trinidadians identify with Carnival and Carnival broadcasts. Here in New York (this year for the first time) the TCN network  in conjunction  with the WIADCA presented the  events free via the Internet. The voices doing the broadcasts were not familiar but the feel of the event was enough to keep us logged on to the Internet watching the event and at the same time, anticipating the results.

However, one must also keep in mind that the songs played at this competition have already been masterly arranged and heard at Trininidad's Panorama Competition. As a result, there was a very relaxed atmosphere surrounding the competition from where I sat as compared to watching and experiencing Panorama in Trinidad and Tobago (not the Big Yard and not the big name bands that we are accustomed to hearing). The songs were not new and as they say, "been there done that before"! Then again, this is their 'Big Stage|Big Yard' but it is not the Queen's Park Savannah and truly not the real Big Stage that Trinidadians know and love so much. None of that mattered  because it was 'Pan' and we love our 'Pan' to the extent that at 2:31 am on Sunday morning I was up watching the final band, Harmony Music Makers, play their final notes to Destra's "Calling Meh". What can I say... I have a weakness for our National Instrument. The following are the results as announced early this morning (time to go and sleep).

2011 Brooklyn WIADCA Panorama Results are as follows:

POSITION 1 Winner
Band Name: ADLIB STEEL ORCHESTRA 458 points
Tune played: Do Something For Pan
Composed By: Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe
Sung By: Sache Alexander
Arranger: Andre White
Tuners: Fitz Worrell / Patrick Worrell / Desmond ‘Mappo’ Richardson

POSITION 2
Band Name: CASYM  456.5 points
Tune played: Doh Be On Dat
Composed By: Arddin Herbert & Ricardo Jones
Sung By: Roland Remy Yearwood
Arranger: Arddin Herbert

POSITION 3
Band Name: D’RADOES  451points
Tune played:Trini
Composed By: Rodney ‘Benjai’ Le Blanc
Sung By: Rodney ‘Benjai’ Le Blanc
Arranger: BJ Marcelle

POSITION 4
Band Name: PAN SONATAS  448 points
Tune played: It’s Showtime
Composed By: Edwin Pouchet/ Alvin Daniel
Sung By: Anslem Douglas
Arranger: Yohan Popwell
Tuner: Bertran ‘Birch’ Kellman

POSITION 5
Band Name: DESPERS USA
Tune played: Doh Be On Dat
Composed By: Arddin Herbert & Ricardo Jones
Sung By: Roland Remy Yearwood
Arranger: Arddin Herbert

POSITION 6
Band Name: CROSSFIRE STEEL ORCHESTRA
Tune played: Trini
Composed By: Rodney ‘Benjai’ Le Blanc
Sung By: Rodney ‘Benjai’ Le Blanc
Arranger: Leon ‘Foster’ Thomas
Tuner: Roland Harrigan

POSITION 7
Band Name:PANTONIC STEEL ORCHESTRA
Tune played: Calling Meh
Composed By: Ken ‘Professor’ Philmore / Mark LoQuan
Sung By: Destra Garcia
Arranger: Keith Roberts
Tuner: Roland Harrigan

POSITION 8
Band Name: SESAME FLYERS
Tune played: Advantage
Composed By: Kernel Roberts
Sung By:Machel Montano
Aranger: Freddy Harris III
Tuner: Anthony Neal

POSITION 9
Band Name: HARMONY MUSIC MAKERS
Tune played: Calling Meh
Composed By: Ken ‘Professor’ Philmore / Mark LoQuan
Sung By: Destra Garcia
Arranger: Eddie Quales

POSITION 10
Band Name: BOSTON METRO
Tune played: Soca Night
Composed By: Blackie
Sung By: Blackie
Arranger: Glen Gabriel
Tuners: Kim Wong & Kevin Griffith

POSITION 11
Band Name: METRO STEEL ORCHESTRA
Tune played: Calling Meh
Composed By: Ken ‘Professor’ Philmore / Mark LoQuan
Sung By: Destra Garcia
Arranger: Cieon Gomez

Band information presented here was obtained from the WIADCA site.

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