Tabaquite parang festival silenced by pandemic

Home to Knolly’s Tunnel in Central Trinidad, the once active community of Tabaquite lies dormant with Christmas just five days away.

In years gone by the infectious sound of parang, street vending, concerts, children treats and other fun activities kicked off weeks in advance of the big day in the rural district.

Sunday Newsday visited Tabaquite on Friday and many of the residents complained of financial difficulties brought on by the covid19 pandemic and not being able to go all out as they usually did.

The residents said health restrictions implemented by the government such as limiting gatherings and in-house patronising of bars also contributed to the cancellation of the community’s yearly events.

They agreed that the measures were necessary to stymie the spread of the virus in order to save lives.

One woman, who did not want to be identified, said, “It was better to miss this year so that we and our children can have future Christmases to celebrate.”

In an area the residents referred to as the promenade on the Tabaquite Main Road, where most of the events took place, the mood was sombre. The area has a recreation ground, benches, food huts, and bars nearby, but hardly anyone was in sight. There were few vending stalls set up along the roadside.

Live parang music from groups native to the community which would usually get at bars, at other ‘liming’ establishments, or at private parties was absent.

One of the biggest community gatherings , Lewa – which is usually held on the first Saturday in the new year – also had to be cancelled owing to covid19. It is the first time it will not take place having started in the backyard of one of the founding members back in 2004.

Elton Santana who is also the manager of Los Reyes parang group told Sunday Newsday that the people of Tabaquite and its environs were sad and disappointed that festival would not happen. People from neighbouring communities such as Mamoral, Gran Couva, Brasso, Flanagin Town would all come together in a "Dutch style" setting and celebrate the feast of the three kings visit to baby Jesus (Lewa).

“We come together at the designated venue and share and have a good time. It is usually a big event and we have a lot of people attending at the Tabaquite RC Church ground.

“Every year we do a lot of parang, not just in Tabaquite but throughout the country. But this year we could not do anything. We had plans to get the band to come together and livestream our sessions, but that did not work out.

The manager of another parang group said many of his band members who depended on this season for an income had to look elsewhere. La Familia de Musica parang band has 11 members and has been around for 42 years.

Band manager Estulio Fraser said, “Every year around this time my group played out almost every night. Most of the members of my group are unemployed so they were looking forward to this, as it was a sure thing.

“We have had to down-size our team to about five members so that we can continue our charity work in churches, orphanages and elderly homes.

“The average cost for a performance at a bar would be $6,000. Last year, we had 23 performances and this year we had not one.”

Fraser said he was praying for a miracle and hoped things would turn around even if it was one week before Christmas.

“We are all sad and disappointed and wish things would change for the better but we understand the circumstances we are under. It is not just us in TT that was feeling the pinch. It is a global issue.”

The children of the community will also have to miss the most-anticipated event, a toy drive held every year by Sunil Sagar and family. The family owns the Sunil Sagar bar located on the Tabaquite Main Road next the recreation ground.

Sagar’s father Wilfred said his family was sad and disappointed that they would not be able to put smiles of the children’s faces this year.

He said covid19 has not only restricted them from gathering but has put a dent on their finances and as such will not be able to afford the annual treat.

Sagar said, “We want to do it and we are sorry. We are trying to find ways in which we can do something but it does not seem possible at this time but we are keeping hopeful.”

And as for church services, the Tabaquite Open Bible Church will not be having its grand annual Christmas concert.

Pastor Gerald Peters said they have had to restructure the concert and do it virtually instead.

He said, “Only the performers and those associated with the concert will be allowed in the church. We also had to cut down on the performances, even the sermon.

“The community is totally different and our community which is so close, most of the people are related. We feel sad that especially at a time like this we can express our love an appreciation through a simple gesture like a hug.

The church concert is on Sunday from 7 pm and will be broadcast on their social media pages.

Resident Maria Pierre said small businesses have taken the biggest hit and those who sold their homemade items such as pastries, crafts, food, clothes and accessories were unable to do so this year.

The residents said they are hopeful that the situation improves to allow them to have a bumper celebration in 2021.