Trinbago woman: My speech, food go with me

May 10, 2016

Trinidadian identity remains deeply connected to cultural expression through authentic culinary traditions and natural speech patterns when travelling abroad.

Maintaining local linguistic identity and cooking traditional festive dishes such as pastelles, black cake, and punch de crème allows citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to preserve their heritage anywhere in the world. Shared holiday meals reinforce familial bonds across diaspora communities despite geographic separation.

Key Takeaways

Preserving Trinidadian dialect and culinary practices abroad reinforces authentic national identity and personal pride.
Traditional holiday staples such as pastelles, black cake, and punch de crème remain essential cultural connection points.
Digital accessibility enables diaspora members to maintain cultural traditions through festive music like parang.
Shared culinary experiences enhance family gatherings and sustain cultural heritage across international borders.

Preserving Trinidadian identity abroad through culinary traditions and authentic speech

By Annisa Phillip. “You can take the woman out Trinbago but you can’t take Trinbago out of the woman.” This twist of an old cliché holds true for those who have our lovely isles dear to their hearts. Personally, leaving Trinidad and Tobago on holiday does not mean that I leave it behind. I take my culture with me. I do not automatically change my accent or speech because I am proud of where I’m from.

Trinbago Christmas

Even the food I take with me… well, even the food I cook. I can have a Trinbago Christmas wherever I am in the world… provided I find all of the necessary ingredients. This is much to the delight of my family members overseas. Pastelle is a must, black cake and Punch de Crème… you now talking my language!

Thanks to the internet, parang is ensured. When I can’t be home for the holidays I am sure to make do. Christmas morning is greeted with ham, chow chow, dinner rolls (in the absence of hops or homemade bread), pastelle and maybe a slice of the drunken fruit cake. I miss out on the sorrel but I guess you can’t always have everything you want.

Food is a bonus

Bearing in mind that Christmas is not actually about food, time spent with loved ones, being grateful and remembering the real reason we celebrate is essential. However, the food is a bonus. *Big grin*

February 2014 – Issue 8 www.sweettntmagazine.com