Afro–Trinidadians and Tobagonians
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2023) |
 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 452,536 (2011 census)[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Trinidad and TobagoConcentrated in the North and Southwest of Trinidad with pockets in East and Central Trinidad and the overwhelming majority in Tobago | |
| Languages | |
| Trinidadian and Tobagonian English, Trinidadian English Creole, Tobagonian English Creole, Antillean French Creole (Patois), Spanish | |
| Religion | |
| Majority: Christianity (Roman Catholicism, Pentecostalism, Evangelicalism, Anglicanism, Seventh-day Adventism, Presbyterianism, Jehovah's Witnesses) Minority: Spiritual Baptist, Islam, Trinidad Orisha (Yoruba), Rastafari, Trinidadian Vodunu, Afro-American religions, Traditional African religions, Sathya Sai Baba movement, Baháʼí | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Merikins, Afro-Caribbean, African diaspora in the Americas, African Americans, Igbos, Akans, Kongos, Mandinkas, Ibibios, Yoruba |
Afro-Trinidadians and Tobagonians, also known as Afro-Trinbagonians or Black Trinidadians and Tobagonians, are people from Trinidad and Tobago who are of Sub-Saharan African descent, primarily from West Africa.
According to the 2011 Trinidad and Tobago Census, Afro-Trinidadians and Tobagonians made up 34.2% of the population.[2] An additional 22.8% identified as multiracial, including 7.7% who identified specifically as Dougla, a mix of African and Indian descent.[3]
During the colonial era, terms such as Mulatto, Creole, Dougla, Zambo, Maroon, Pardo, Quadroon, Octoroon, and Hexadecaroon (Quintroon) were used to classify people based on proportions of African ancestry. These classifications were common across the Caribbean, Latin America, and North America.[5][6][7]
Origins
[edit]| African ethnicities over 500 in Trinidad (1813) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Igbo | 2,863 | |
| Kongo | 2,450 | |
| Ibibio | 2,240 | |
| Malinke | 1,421 | |
| Total Africans | 13,984 | |
| Origins of Creoles over 400 in Trinidad (1813) | ||
| Trinidad | 7,088 | |
| Martinique | 962 | |
| Grenada | 746 | |
| Saint Vincent | 438 | |
| Guadeloupe | 428 | |
| Total Creoles | 11,633 | |
The ultimate origin of most African ancestry in the Americas is in West and Central Africa. The most common ethnic groups of the enslaved Africans in Trinidad and Tobago were Igbo, Kongo, Ibibio, Yoruba and Malinke people. All of these groups, among others, were heavily affected by the Atlantic slave trade. The population census of 1813 shows that among African-born slaves the Igbo were the most numerous.[8]
Around half of Afro-Trinidadians were the descendants of emigrants from other islands of the Caribbean, especially Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Vincent, and Grenada. Other Afro-Trinidadians trace their ancestry to American slaves recruited to fight for the British in the War of 1812 or from indentured laborers from West Africa.[9]
History
[edit]In 1498, Christopher Columbus landed on the island of Trinidad, where he encountered the indigenous Taíno people. Shortly after Columbus's arrival, Trinidad became a territory of the Spanish Empire. The Spanish enslaved the native population and, over time, intermingled with them, leading to the emergence of the Mestizo identity. The term "Mulatto" originated when Spain began transporting enslaved Africans to Trinidad in 1517 via the Atlantic slave trade.[10]
In 1783, the King of Spain enacted the Cedula of Population law, which promised free land to Europeans willing to relocate to Trinidad to work. This law encouraged French settlers from the French Antilles to migrate to Trinidad and establish sugar cane plantations. These settlers contributed to the island's diverse ancestry, giving rise to the Creole identity. Languages spoken included Spanish, French, and Antillean Creole (Patois).[11]
In 1797, Great Britain took control of the island, and slavery was eventually abolished in 1834. The abolition of slavery led to an influx of indentured servants from various regions. Between 1853 and 1866, 2,645 Chinese immigrants arrived in Trinidad as indentured laborers for the sugar and cacao plantations.[12]
In the 1840s, European indentured servants began arriving, including the French, Spanish, Germans, Swiss, Portuguese, English, Scottish, Welsh, Cornish, Irish, Corsican, Italians, Dutch, Norwegian, and Polish. Over time, many of these settlers intermarried with the families of freed slaves, contributing to the island's ethnic diversity.[13]
On 30 May 1845, the British transported indentured servants from India to Trinidad. This day is known as Indian Arrival Day. A portion of this group of Indians began to racially mix into the Trinidadian populace, and their descendants became known as the Dougla people. After the system of indentured servitude was abolished in 1917, a second group of Indians steadily migrated to Trinidad from India, mostly for business.[14]
Use of Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonian
[edit]Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonian
[edit]Between 1968 and 1970, the "Black Power Revolution" gained strength in Trinidad and Tobago. The National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) was formed by a group of undergraduates at the St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies. Influenced by people such as Fidel Castro, Stokely Carmichael and Malcolm X. The National Joint Action Committee demonstrated to bring about Black Power and a return to African heritage and African culture.[citation needed][15]
On 6 April 1970, protester Basil Davis, was killed by the police. This was followed on 13 April by the resignation of A. N. R. Robinson, Member of Parliament for Tobago East. On 18 April, sugar workers went on strike and there was talk of a general strike. In response to this, Williams proclaimed a State of Emergency on 21 April and arrested 15 Black Power leaders. Responding in turn, a portion of the Trinidad Defence Force, led by Raffique Shah and Rex Lassalle, mutinied and took hostages at the army barracks at Teteron. Through the action of the Coast Guard and negotiations between the Government and the rebels, the mutiny was contained and the mutineers surrendered on 25 April. It was around this time that the term Afro-Trinidadian started to be used.[citation needed]
Culture
[edit]The massive influx of enslaved Africans to Trinidad and Tobago shores that happened in the 19th century was important in shaping the cultural space of Trinidad and Tobago. Afro-Trinidadian culture is immanent within and encapsulates all other cultures. Afro-Trinidadian culture is decisive in steelpan culture, Carnival culture, soca culture, and calypso culture and also helped in many ways to shape.[citation needed]
Religious groups
[edit]Most Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonians are Christian, with the largest group being Roman Catholics, Anglicans and (in Tobago) Methodists. Smaller numbers follow Afro-Caribbean syncretic faiths such as the Spiritual Baptist Church and the Rastafari movement. Non-Christians include adherents of Islam, the Orisha-Shango (Yoruba) faith, Afro-American religions, the Baháʼí Faith, Hinduism or are followers of Sai Baba.[citation needed]
See also
[edit]
- Slavery in the British and French Caribbean
- Creole peoples
- Dougla people
- Demographics of Trinidad and Tobago
References
[edit]- ^ "2011 Trinidad and Tobago Population and Housing Census: Demographic Report" (PDF). Central Statistical Office. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "2011 Trinidad and Tobago Population and Housing Census: Demographic Report" (PDF). Central Statistical Office. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "Census: Mixed population on the rise". Trinidad Express. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ Ryan, Selwyn D. (1972). Race and Nationalism in Trinidad and Tobago: A Study of Decolonization in a Multiracial Society. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 9780802052568. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ Brereton, Bridget (1981). A History of Modern Trinidad, 1783–1962. Heinemann. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ Trotman, David V. (1986). Crime in Trinidad: Conflict and Control in a Plantation Society, 1838–1900. University of Tennessee Press. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ Ryan, Selwyn D. (1972). Race and Nationalism in Trinidad and Tobago. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 9781487582081. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ Higman, B. W. (1995). Slave Populations of the British Caribbean, 1807–1834 (reprint ed.). The Press, University of the West Indies. p. 450. ISBN 978-976-640-010-1.
- ^ "Trinidad's Slave Census of 1813: Representative of African Ethnic Origins". Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "Slavery and Emancipation in Trinidad and Tobago". Nalis.gov.tt. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ^ "Slavery and Emancipation in Trinidad and Tobago". Nalis.gov.tt. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "Trinidad and Tobago Census Report". Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ^ "NRI: East Indians in Trinidad". NRI Internet. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ^ "NRI: East Indians in Trinidad". NRI Internet. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ^ Matroo, Carol (23 February 2020). "NJAC marks 50th anniversary of Black Power revolution". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
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