Stories about Trinidad & Tobago
A majestic palm that flowers once in its life is in bloom in Trinidad
Also called the Century Palm, there's a misconception that it flowers only once every 100 years — but it can flower once it reaches maturity, typically between 25 and 80 years old.
Why I must write about Amarah Lalitte, a little girl brutally murdered in Trinidad
"If it is the truth we are bringing to light, then a natural offshoot of that must be to effect change in the upholding of that truth."
Solving the problem of animal cruelty in Trinidad & Tobago needs more than just legislation
In April 2020, a video of a dog being hanged went viral, to the horror of social media users. Sadly, cruel acts like these are not one-offs.
‘Jumbo,’ Trinidad & Tobago's treasured ‘Nuts Man,’ leaves lessons of patriotism
“Jumbo [was] plying his trade, but was also totally involved and engaged. He spoke about sport from a position of knowledge, and he helped make the experience fun."
With the death of former head of the public service Reginald Dumas, Trinidad & Tobago loses a revered patriot
"He had conflicts with leaders at all national levels, born of his desire to do the right thing, and to hold individuals to the highest standards of performance and competence."
The year Palestine ‘played mas’ in Trinidad & Tobago
Despite the fact that Trinidad and Tobago does not officially recognise the Palestinian state, support for Palestine has been building, eventually coming into full view during the country's Carnival celebrations.
‘Tek sleep and mark death': Oil disaster in Tobago is a cautionary tale
The recent environmental disaster in Tobago — and Guyana's emergence as an oil producer — have some Jamaicans wondering if their country is equipped to mitigate the impacts of an oil spill.
Understanding Tobago’s disastrous oil spill
The spill’s effects on the Petit Trou Lagoon – located on the coast of Lowlands, Tobago – has caused utmost concern, given the area is ecologically sensitive with dense mangrove cover.
Tobago continues to grapple with oil spill caused by unidentified tanker
Just prior to the much anticipated Carnival long weekend, an overturned ship has caused an oil spill, polluting Tobago's turquoise waters and causing an environmental hazard and national emergency.
‘Remember the name': The unlikely triumph of Guyana's Shamar Joseph has brought joy to West Indies cricket fans
For many fans of the game, the moment was like a return to the glory days of West Indies cricket, leaving some to wonder whether they were witnessing a renaissance.
Could the Caribbean bridge the gap between culture and sustainability?
Tobago’s thriving culture, which includes farming and food festivals, is one example of the intersection of creative industries and concepts of sustainability like eating local and growing one’s own food.
When it comes to FOMO, in Trinidad & Tobago the struggle is real
A former minister of finance resorted to jumping a fence in order to gain entry to the state funeral of former prime minister Basdeo Panday, leaving social media users stunned.
In Trinidad & Tobago, a violent start to the new year
While much of the violence is attributed the drug trade and its ripple effects, the country also grapples with incidences of violent home invasions, kidnapping and femicide.
On the first day of 2024, former Trinidad & Tobago prime minister Basdeo Panday dies
Panday "[created] labour and political history and [became] one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most compelling post-independence figures.”
Year in review: In 2023, the climate crisis was top of mind for the Caribbean
Of the many stories Global Voices Caribbean covered this year, the lion's share have been linked to global warming, and the importance of climate justice to the region's survival.
How Caribbean ‘Black Cake’ can help the region transcend its traumatic past
"Black Cake" (the book and series) naturally brings to mind the Caribbean Christmas dessert, but the linkages the delicacy shares with the literacies of enslaved Africans are often obscured.
COP28 delivers ‘death certificate’ for island nations
The Global Stocktake is meant to be the big outcome of the climate negotiations this year, but we have significantly deviated from restricting global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Why I am exercising my right to protest in Trinidad & Tobago
This particular march is not merely a protest of alarm; it is also a gesture of mourning. Many of our people have died this year as victims of violence.
Steelpan virtuoso Earl Rodney dies at 85, leaving ‘quality’ music and questions as to whether Trinidad & Tobago could be doing more to honour its cultural icons
He was always pushing musical boundaries [...] contributing to a new representation of local music in which he fused African rhythms and American funk, merged with pan and percussion.
It's the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and Trinidad & Tobago still has a long way to go
The most effective way to deal with the attitudinal and systemic barriers many people with disabilities experience on a daily basis in Trinidad and Tobago, is through legislative implementation.
‘The eagle has landed’ and Trinidad and Tobago social media users are thrilled
It's a phrase that gained widespread recognition during one of the most historic events of the 20th century. It's also a phrase that Trinbagonians use to communicate they've been paid.