Baptised Drum

This video from Ouidah, Benin depicts part of ceremony to consecrate a new drum. The Belmont Radas also baptised their new drums usually the day before a ceremony. A small food offering of rice, peas and corn is made. Also, a godmother and godfather are chosen for the drum. The last godparents were Henry and Natassha.

What is Voodoo?

Article from the Huffington Post.

Racism clouds our view of Voodoo. It is rooted in slavery and intricately connected to this hemisphere's political and social evolution. Voodoo was first practiced in America and the Caribbean by slaves of African descent, whose culture was both feared and ridiculed. Slaves were not considered fully human. Their religion was dismissed as superstition, their priests were denigrated as witchdoctors, their Gods and Spirits were denounced as evil.

November Ceremony

Back in the day, the last Rada ceremony for the calendar year would begin today, the first Thursday of November and continue on Friday. The ceremony is called Kututo and is given for the souls of the deceased. There is also a mass for the souls in purgatory at St. Francis of Assisi church in Belmont before the ceremony. Evidence, once again, of the tie between the Catholic and Rada beliefs. Click on the link and imagine yourself sitting in the tent tonight, singing and clapping until the drums are turned down.

Happy Halloween

Boo!

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.

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

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