Hundreds of people made their way to Piccadilly Street in East Port of Spain during the pre-dawn hours on Fantastic Friday for the re-enactment of the 1881 Canboulay Riots. The sights and sounds left none disappointed and many thrilled.
Kambule, the Eintou Springer play, even brought some audience members to tears early on Friday morning.
[caption id="attachment_1062635" align="alignnone" width="1024"] This couple had the crowd in stitches with their dance routine. PHOTO BY FAITH AYOUNG [/caption]
One of the play directors, Atillah Springer, told Newsday after the show that she hopes the play was able to educate and foster a sense of pride in people, saying it was not a gig but a ritual enactment of a moment in history.
[caption id="attachment_1062641" align="alignnone" width="1024"] NOT ME AND ALLYUH: A character with her stick looks back at others during the Canboulay Riots re-enactment. PHOTO BY FAITH AYOUNG [/caption]
She stressed the need for the play's continuation.
"We know that our young people are not learning these stories in history books, that's why this production is so important."
[caption id="attachment_1062633" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Holding his two cutlasses, this Canboulay rioter goes through his ritual before the large audience at Piccadilly Street. PHOTO BY FAITH AYOUNG[/caption]
According to the Wikipedia website, the Canboulay riots were a series of disturbances in Trinidad during British rule in 1881.
[caption id="attachment_1062639" align="alignnone" width="1024"] A traditional mas character prances along Piccadilly Street during the re-enactment. PHOTO BY FAITH AYOUNG [/caption]
The riots broke out as a response to efforts by the colonial police to restrict aspects of the island's annual Carnival festival.
[caption id="attachment_1062631" align="alignnone" width="1024"] BAD DAME: A dame Lorraine character goes down low during the annual re-enactment of the Canboulay Riots of 1881 on Friday mornign at Piccadilly Street in East Port of Spain. PHOTO BY FAITH AYOUNG - [/caption]
In Port of Spain, San Fernando and Princes Town, angry people rioted in response to the actions of the police; and several people were killed in the resultant clashes.
[caption id="attachment_1062636" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Actors in their costumes during the re-enactment of the Canboulay Riots of 1881, on Friday morning on Piccadilly Street in East Port of Spain. PHOTO BY FAITH AYOUNG [/caption]
Canboulay music forms an important part the musical traditions of Trinidad. The "chantwell" or chantuelle who was also an integral part of the celebrations was the forerunner of the calypsonian and later, soca music.
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