Holiday on any Caribbean island and two images are sure to remain in the consciousness of the traveller - the vibrant colours of the Red, Gold & Green that decorate many roots shops, articles of clothing and crafts and also that other signature trademark - dreadlocks. The Rastafarian movement's popularity owes much to Bob Marley its greatest ambassador. In Marley's own words - "Rastaman vibrations gon' cover the earth, like water cover the sea".
For masses of poor, disillusioned and dispossessed, the messages conveyed in Rasta music's conscious lyrics act like a magnet to ordinary folks worldwide. It all began in the 1920's and 30's when Jamaican Marcus Garvey encouraged Black Pride and repatriation to Africa for the long suffering slave descendants of the U.S.A. and the Caribbean. He even started a shipping company - Black Star Liner to achieve these ends. His interpretation of a biblical prophecy, with which he promoted his message of "Look to Africa, for there a king shall be crowned", found fertile soil in the spiritual imagination of his followers with the coronation in 1930 of the Ethiopian Emperor, Haile Selassie I, the 225th monarch in an unbroken line descending from the union of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. The followers viewed Ras (Prince) Tafari Selassie as God Incarnate on Earth and began to refer to His Imperial Majesty as Jah (Yahweh), The Conquering Lion of Judah.
Years later, Marley immortalized the speech Selassie made to the U.N, recalling Mussolini's invasion of Ethiopia, when he sang the Emperor's words as the lyrics for his song 'War' - "Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior, is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned; until the colour of a man's skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes, me say War, Everywhere is War". In 1975, upon the passing of the beloved Emperor, Marley created and sang the Rasta Anthem "Jah live(s)" as a balm to the followers of the faith in the firm belief that Jah no dead- "Children Yeah, Jah Jah live(s)". The wearing or growing of Dreadlocks is the most visible mark of Rastafarians. The colours, red for the blood of martyrs, green for the lush vegetation and gold for the wealth and riches of Africa are worn with pride and often combined with black, in honour and memory of Marcus Garvey who started it all with his rallying calls - "Africa for Africans at home and abroad" and "Repatriation is a must". So, next time you purchase an item bearing the colours of Rastafari, remember the true story and meaning behind its origins. Rastafarians follow several basic doctrines - a mainly vegetarian (ital) salt-free diet which includes fish; shellfish and pork are forbidden, as is alcohol. The promotion of world peace and harmony is high on the agenda, while global repatriation remains on a distant horizon. For many years now, a thriving community of Rastas has been established in Shashamane, Ethiopia - lands courtesy of the late Ethiopian Emperor - Ras Tafari Selassie the First.
Now that's what I'd call a Happy Ending!

Pronounced - (dee-waal-ee), it's the second biggest national open air festival held mainly in Trinidad, where Hindu's comprise the second largest religious group after the Catholics. The world famous Trinidad carnival, with its Catholic background is the largest annual event, but the two events share a common passion for participation and attendance. However, Divali is a spiritual, religious, alcohol free and vegetarian festival that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. Gifts, garlands and greeting cards are exchanged as would occur at Christmas time. Millions of deyas (clay lamps) are lit in homes, streets, parks, offices and temples and decoratively displayed on split bamboo tubes with performances by singers, musicians, drummers, actors and models. Sweetmeats by the ton are enjoyed and distributed freely and people take to the streets or drive around to enjoy the sparklers, fireworks and the splendor of the illuminations. Indian Bazaars and the crowning and showering with gifts of a Divali Queen as the best dressed fashion finalist are all part of the exciting celebrations. Lord Rama, a most widely worshipped Hindu deity is responsible for the beginning of this tradition. It is related that upon his return from exile to his father's kingdom of Ayodhya, the people illuminated the town with rows of lights to welcome him back and girls tossed fragrant flowers from windows and roof tops. Lord Rama's story is to be found in the epic poem 'Ramayana' and the drama of 'Rama Leela' unfolds over 9 nights on royal stages in central Trinidad at the Divali Nagar. Ordinary villagers play a multitude of celestial roles in glitzy costumes and always you will hear the thunderous beating of the mighty Tassa drums. The story of Lord Rama has enthralled millions of people since it was composed some 6,000 years ago by the poet Valmiki. The Female deity Mother Lakshmi is also given special worship at this time as befitting the Goddess of Light, Wealth and Wisdom and lamps are lit to invoke her presence and light her path to the homes of the devoted. Spiritual tourism at its finest - Enjoy T&T Tobago Tour Guides can arrange with their Trinidad counterparts for couples and groups to be escorted and attend the celebrations.

Tobago Harvest Festivals

Harvest Festivals are traditional celebratory occasions in Tobago’s Island life centered around the four mainstream Christian Churches; Anglican (C of E), Roman Catholic, Methodist and Moravian. Harvest Time served as a way of raising funds for the Church, parishioners proudly bringing their best produce in place of monetary tithes.
Houses would be spruced up and decorated, with much baking and cooking and thanking the Lord for His bountiful blessings. Folks took the opportunity to visit family and friends and stay the weekend, affirming the unity of Christians as brothers and sisters. The Anglican Church tradition, for example, features a Eucharistic service in the morning when the best produce is brought to the Church followed by a Cantata in the early afternoon when the choirs and other talented members make their musical contributions. The Moravian Church has a long history of missionary work on the Island, building schools and teaching music, sewing skills and building trades to various communities. The village of Mt. Gomery is named after the first Moravian Missionary and the villages of Bethesda, Salem (De Vignes Rd) and Moriah are names originating from the Moravian faith, which has sought to contribute to the general improvement of the lives of Tobagonians.
So, if you would like to spend a pleasant Sunday in the company of your warm Tobago hosts, get yourself along to a Harvest and join in the spirit of love and the brotherhood/sisterhood of Mankind.
Check the Calendar page to see a list of Harvest Festival dates.