Sea Sports and Sea Fiesta at Black Rock

Heritage Festival in Black Rock starts at 5 am with a "Wake Up Call". The villagers choose to re-enact the rituals and habits of the fisherfolk, drawn from African Orisa practice, for their Heritage show and the day starts with the pouring of libations at the crossroads, which includes the throwing of rum, milk, corn and rice at the "four roads junction." A street procession follows, led by a steelband, drummers, tamboo bamboo and fisherwomen. The "street queens" and their followers are next and then villagers and visitors join in the fun.

The procession ends on the beach at Courland Heritage Park, where breakfast of bake and saltfish or fried fish is served with hot cocoa or chocolate tea. Activities like seine-pulling take place (and those who help sometimes get to share in the catch!), boat races, the christening of a boat, and other watersports, followed by a concert or play in the evening.

I joined in the activities for the first half of the day and of course, I have pictures to share.

1. The Honourable Orville London, Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly and Mrs. London, chatting with visitors.
2. Secretary for Department of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Claudia Groome-Duke, joining in the street procession. (She's also the area representative)
3. Senator Annette Alfred, enjoying the ambience
4. Seine-pulling (featuring me in the purple top and jeans. I have a new found respect for fisherfolk after that for sure!)
5. Pouring rum on the conch shell
6. Visitors and villagers having breakfast on the beach
Other pictures - just snapshots of the scenery.