TRINIDAD & T0BAGO
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​I visited Trinidad & Tobago in the spring of 2018.

Ricardo Hernandez chief of the Santa Rosa First People's Community describes a brief history of more than 200 people who are descended from the island's first inhabitants of Amerindian descent. ​

Cristo Adonis can show you around or take you on an educational hike to learn about the medicinal plants and spirituality of the Amerindians.*

Arima is home to a small Amerindian community who still follow some traditional customs.*

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Roughly one-third of all islanders are Roman Catholic.  Another 25% are Hindu, 11% are Anglican, 13% are other Protestant denominations and 6% are Muslim.  With its roots in African faith traditions, the Orisha religion also remains strong in some areas, as does Rastafarianism.*

Just west of town, the small and rather dusty Amerindian Museum at Cleaver Woods displays some artifacts.*
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Chief Ricardo Hernandez demonstrates Amerindian weaving techniques.

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The Vanishing Taino

Building an understanding of aboriginal cultures within the broader population is crucial to aboriginal people's health, social, economic and emotional well-being, and the overall unity and pride of our nation.

​The Taino have lost many of their traditions, their language, and their religious beliefs and never received any communal lands when the Mission was dismantled. They shun any kind of Indigenous political militancy, recriminations, or even demand for lands as a right. They do not engage in protests or speak out on issues of social justice. What has developed then is a case of reconciliation without self-determination.
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Introduced by the British in the 19th century, cricket isn't just a sport in Trinidad and Tobago, it's a cultural obsession.*

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 * These captions are from Caribbean Islands -- Lonely Planet's travel guide.