Monday 31 October 2011

Happy Halloween

Boo!

Wednesday 26 October 2011

Old African Proverb

Old African proverb: Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle…when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.

Tuesday 18 October 2011

Antoine Family Reunion Survey Results

Antoine Family Reunion Survey Results
The survey was posted on facebook (105 fans and 181 active users) and distributed by email to 74 individuals, many of whom are also on facebook. A few responses were also collected by telephone for those without facebook and email.
Responses: 36
                        16 from Canada
                        13 from Trinidad
                        5 from the US
                        1 from the UK
                        1 from New Zealand


1.      Will you be attending any of the Antoine Family Reunion events in August 2012?

Yes: 24 (68.6%)

No: 6 (17.1%)

Undecided: 5 (14.3%)

Skipped question: 1



2.      Are you interested in attending a classy, evening event (date to be determined)?

Yes: 23 (74.2%)

No: 1 (3.2%)

Undecided: 7 (22.6%)

Skipped question: 5



3.      What are you willing to pay for a classy, evening event?

USD$75 or TT$ 450 for a 3 course meal with an open bar at a hotel: 20 (64.5%)

USD$50 or TT$ 300 for a 3 course meal with a cash bar at a hotel: 5 (16.1%)

Not sure: 6 (19.4%)

Skipped question: 5



4.      Will you be going to the beach with the Antoine family (date to be determined)?

Yes: 22 (71.0%)

No: 4 (12.9%)

Undecided: 5 (16.1%)

Skipped question: 5



5.      Will you be attending the Traditional Rada ceremony on Thursday, August 2, 2012 in Belmont?

Yes: 20 (64.5%)

No: 4 (12.9%)

Undecided: 7 (22.6%)

Skipped question: 5



6.      Will you be attending the Traditional Rada ceremony on Friday, August 3, 2012 in Belmont?

Yes: 19 (61.3%)

No: 5 (16.1%)

Undecided: 7 (22.6%)

Skipped question: 5


Monday 17 October 2011

Trinidad and Tobago Best Tourist Destination!

We are not surprised that Trinidad and Tobago is the world’s best tourist spot and favourite cultural destination for 2012! If you have never been or it has been awhile since you were last there, why not join us next year at the Antoine Family Reunion and see the best for yourself! And if you want culture, we have a unique experience in Belmont to offer you!

Read the full story here

Sunday 16 October 2011

Last Call - Antoine Family Reunion Survey

Last call to complete the survey. Thank you to the 34 family members who have given us their opinions. The results will be analysed and published on Tuesday. We still need to hear from the rest of you because your view matters to us all. It only takes 3 minutes. Please click and submit now. Thanks.

Survey

Saturday 15 October 2011

Santeria - the Cuban Version

Terry Hoyte

Introducing, Terry Hoyte, son of our steelpan pioneer, Dudley Smith. I spoke to Terry a couple days ago and he reminded me of one of his previous roles – ‘skining’ the goat after it was sacrificed. The skin was then stretched on the outside wall of the tent to dry. The dried skin was then used to make a drum. Terry is ready to resume that role next August. Any of you younger Hoytes on facebook ready to help him?

Thursday 13 October 2011

Candomble

Candomble - The Brazilian version



Posted on Facebook by Ifabimi Aladanu:

It is important to observe that Candomblé is divided into groups and subgroups at last are ethnic groups properly. There is the Candomblé de Angola, de Congo and Candomblé de Moxicongo of Bantoo traditions. There is the Candomblé of Ketu, the Nago-Egba (from this video, with a Esu song) and Nago-Xamba traditions of nago subgroups. There is the Candomblé of Jeje and it is subdivided too (Mahi, Dahomey, Modubi, Savalu).
There are also traditions of drums that are subdivided into groups and there is a Batuque traditions, Tambor de Mina and Mina Jeje too.


Wednesday 12 October 2011

Why We Don't Eat Lamb


Our family is not supposed to eat lamb. Legend has it that the Dangbe (serpent) temple caught fire; there was fire everywhere and the serpent Dangbé in despair, saw the ram fleeing from the flames. Dangbe wrapped himself around the ram`s neck and both were saved, so Dangbé vowed never to eat the ram`s meat. Thanks to Ifabimi Aladanu, our new relative in Brazil, for sharing this legend.

Monday 10 October 2011

Sunday 9 October 2011

Abobo

This weekend the Antoines in the United States are celebrating Columbus Day while the Antoines in Canada are enjoying Thanksgiving. If we want to go back to our roots and have a more Rada-like long weekend we can have an Abobo, which is a small, private ceremony. It can be done to give thanks, bless the home, ask for grace or obtain ‘clearance’ in times of trouble. Usually the hubono (high priest), vodunsis (dancers), family and a few friends are invited. But warn your neighbours because ‘possession’ does occur and the dancers will dance.

Friday 7 October 2011

Antoine Family Reunion Survey

You know you’re NOT an Antoine when … you don’t give your opinion in the Antoine Family Reunion survey. So far we have only received 23 responses. We need more opinions to make the results valid and reliable. Please complete the survey now. It only takes 3 minutes. Thank you very much.

Thursday 6 October 2011

Asen - Family Altar


Fon people of Benin own numerous Asen, or family altars made from iron. They are kept in a small building in the courtyard of the family house and tended to the eldest woman in the family. There is an Asen for each ancestor, which serves as line of communication between the living and the dead. After complex memorial ceremonies an Asen would be consecrated to the ancestor and regular offerings are made and recognition rituals performed.

Wednesday 5 October 2011

Happy Birthday Twin Cousins!



Back in October 1942, Henry (son of Abojev Zahwenu/Robert Antoine) and Camilla Antoine welcomed 2 grandchildren 2 days apart. The girl was born on October 6th and the boy arrived on October 8th at Port-of-Spain General Hospital. The girl, daughter of Empress, was named Camilla after her grandmother. The boy, son of Sedley, was named, Henry Lewis after his grandfather. Both were baptized on the same day! Happy Birthday to our twin cousins Camilla and Henry!

Sunday 2 October 2011

Antoine Family Reunion Survey

Hey family, your opinion is very important to us and we want to hear from you as we contiune our plans for the family reunion. Please complete the survey below. It's only 10 questions and should only take about 5 minutes. Thank you

Antoine Family Reunion Survey

Saturday 1 October 2011

McDonald's or Cow Heel Soup?

We heard about food concerns from family members who will make their first visit to Trinidad and a number of you asked us about McDonald's. So they are back on the island, but take a look at the long line up. You decide - long wait for McDonald's or cow heel soup?

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