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Tobago,
despite being 16 times
smaller than Trinidad,
boasts it's very own
separate and distinctive
forms of
island culture - quite
different from those of
its sister isle Trinidad.
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Tobago
was originally inhabited
by Amerindian Indians.
Europeans came after and
were mainly involved in
plantation agriculture,
utilizing imported
African slaves for their
lucrative trade.
Today the island's
heritage remains
predominantly African but
it is flavored by the
influences of Amerindian
and European cultures..
• These
historical experience
were the genesis of The
Tobago Heritage Festival.
• Cultural
icons like Dr. J. D.
Elder famed
anthropologist, Mr.
Stanley Beard noted
environmentalist and Mr.
Henry James master dance
choreographer, will
always be remembered for
their vision and
foresight. |
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Tell your friends
about this site
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• The
festival was first staged in
1987. It spans a two-week period
from mid-July to the first day of
August each year. During this
time Tobagonians embark on a
pilgrimage into the cultural
hearts of their ancestors.
• This
event is now a true cultural
showpiece of the island.
• The
Heritage Festival starts and ends
with gala opening and the closing
performances and parades in
Scarborough at the island's
centrally located cultural
complex. It is well attended by
hundreds of locals, dignitaries
and visitor and presents
highlights of previous years
dynamic village productions - it
places in the spotlight some of
the island’s best performing
groups.isitors can look forward
to an exciting extravaganza
during the two weeks of
activities that move daily from
village to village and enact and
celebrate Tobago's traditions of
dance, music, story telling,
culture and food.
• The
Heritage Festival expresses the
soul of the people and fascinates
the thousands who witness this
annual phenomenon.
• Productions
are also staged in the
communities throughout this
island, allowing patrons to
experience the individual village
as it comes to life in song,
dance, drama and oral tradition.
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| Les Coteaux Speech Band |
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• These
cultural expositions
showcases the traditional
"long time
Tobago": Ole Time
Tobago Wedding, Heel an'
Toe, Bele, Folk Tales and
Superstitions, re
enactment of the
legendary Belmanna slave
uprising in Roxborough
and much more
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The Heritage Queen
Show is where the
beautiful women of Tobago
are brought on stage to
be judged to try to
determine who best
represents all round
beauty and the theme of
the year’s
festivities. |
| • The
Heritage Festival gives a
glimpse into Tobago's
past, its traditions and
its beliefs. It shows
where Tobagonanians have
come from and the things
are treasure the most. |
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Many
events will are held at night
under the canopy of a star lit
sky
to the absolute delight of
numerous, thrilled patrons.
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