Action Learning

FESTIVALS &CELEBRATIONS IN T&TWHAT WE DO AND WHY WE DO ITWe have a lot of holidays in T&T! We have many holidays and celebrations because Trinidad and Tobago is a country made up of many different races and cultures. Unlike most countries T&T has always celebrated the different religions and peoples.Independence Day1L Group a

After being ruled by the British since 1802, Trinidad and Tobago became independent on August 31st 1962 and thats the day we celebrate Independence Day.This national holiday is just like a carnival parade: vendors selling snacks, flags and various other things.There is also a military parade and some planes even fly around simultaneously.It is very exciting and children enjoy this day the most because at night time the is a display of fireworks that light up the sky.

Independence Day Independence Day This year we celebrated 49 years of independence in Trinidad and Tobago. The streets of Trinidad were filled with members of the police and armed forces marching through Port Of Spain watched by spectators who lined the streets.

Emancipation Day

Emancipation day in T&T Emancipation Day is celebrated in observance of the emancipation of slaves of African origin on August 1st,1838. On 1985, August 1st, Emancipation Day was declared a national holiday. Since then Emancipation celebrations have grown into a major national festival, where tens of thousands of people participate in various activities. The Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad & Tobago hosts a week of activities leading up to Emancipation Day including cultural performances in music, song and dance. During this you can also get a chance to purchase African artifacts, paintings and clothing in the market place, popularly called the Trans-Atlantic Exposition, which attracts traders from Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria, the Caribbean region and North America.

Emancipation Day in T&TThe Kamboule (street procession) on Emancipation Day is theatre in motion, a mass procession throughout the streets of the capital Port of Spain, featuring African drums, steelpan, moko jumbies and dance groups. The day ends with the Flambeau Procession later in the night, recalling the rebellion of the African Ancestors against slavery. Moko Jumbies Steelpan African Drums

8Ramadan This is the month before Eid in which Muslims fast for 29 or 30 days. It is also the ninth month on the Islamic calendar. This is also known as the month of The Holy Quran. During this month Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. In the morning Muslims eat and drink lightly. Fasting prevents Muslims from eating and drinking.In the night there are various Iftars in different Mosques. An Iftar is when you go to the Mosque to break your fast and a person or family prepares food and drinks for everyone.There is an extra prayer in the night known as Taraweeh Salaat. This is when the Imam reads a part of The Holy Quran until they finish the whole Quran. This is prayed after the last prayer of the day. Muslims pray five times a day.

Eid-ul-FitrEid Ul Fitr is celebrated worldwide in different ways. Eid is taken place after the month of Ramadan when Muslims sight the crescent moon and star.On the day of Eid, Muslims eat lightly before arrival on the Mosque. A special Salaat (prayer) thanking Allah for the gift of life and being able to fast and pray during the month is made.

What we doOn this day most Muslims eat roti and sawine. This is the most joyous day for Muslims especially for the children.

Gifts, presents and cards are given to friends and family. There is cake, ice-cream and snacks which are distributed.

On this day Muslim sisters apply mehindi or henna on their hands.

Mosques or Masjids

DivaliOn Divali Hindu's worship the four armed female god mother Lakshmi.She is the god of wealth, light, wisdom, fortune, prosperity(both material and spiritual), fertility, generosity and courage, and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm. She is also said to bring good luck.

Divali is the Hindu festival of lights. Trinidadians celebrate this day by lighting deyas. Deyas are little clay pots. To light them you put oil and a wick in it. Some people like to paint and decorate their Deyas. They are a symbol of light over darkness, meaning good over bad. Some people put them on bamboo frames in various designs and shapes.Trinidadians celebrate Divali with food too. We eat kurma, barfi, curry, with potato, channa, bodi, pumpkin. Sahenna, phoulorie, roti/ buss-up shot and much much more!!!!!!!

Divali13We hope you enjoyed learning about our celebrations.

Independence Day: K. KhanEmancipation Day: S. IsraelEid-ul-Fitr: S. Abdul-AdilDivali: A. Agostini

14BIBLIOGRAPHYTRiNi Foods-http://trinifoods.com/-2011-29/11/2011

The Guardian Newspaper

http://trinigourmet.com/-2011-29/11/2011 Indian Food Forever- http://indianfoodforever.com/-2008-29/11/2011

The National Library and System Authority- http://www.nalis.gov.tt.com-2011-29/11/2011

Teachers, friends and relatives also helped in the making of these slides.