African monument erected in Port of Spain to honour history, culture

Drums, tamboo bamboo and joyful tears marked the unveiling of the Yoruba Village Monument on Saturday afternoon.

The yet-to-be-named monument is that of a man and woman of African decent. The man held a drum and stick while the woman held a bowl of food as an offering to the gods.

Commissioned by the Emancipation Support Committee (ESC), the monument was unveiled at the 2022 Yoruba Village Drum Festival at the Yoruba Village Square. It was sculpted by young female artists Sherlann Peters and Maria Diaz.

Founder of the ESC Khafra Kambon said it was the country’s most spectacular monument, especially as the statues looked like many of the people in TT. He also expected it to be controversial because the hatred of African physical features was part of an indoctrination of self-hate.

He added that the location of the monument bridged the boundary of the capital of business and political power, and the capital of culture and production.

“It is a very significant moment all citizens who value the de-colonisation of our physical landscape which has a subtle but profound influence in shaping our imaginations, our concepts as to whom and to what we ascribe greatness.

“The value of the monument goes beyond its physical resemblance to half the population of this country. It is a monument that speaks to our history and our culture, and it is located at an entrance to a historical community that has guarded, nourished and reproduced our African heritage.”

He hinted at the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Square, Port of Spain, a few feet from the Yoruba Village Square. Calling Columbus a criminal and mass murderer, Kambon said it was “sick” that Columbus was still in children’s schoolbooks as a hero.

Speaking to the media after the unveiling, MP for Laventille West Fitzgerald Hinds thanked African ancestors for enduring their struggles, saying he was proud and happy about “the greatest monument” he had seen in the Caribbean.

“More than it as a piece of art, it’s significance is so magnificent and beautiful.”

Commenting on the viral video of the assault and arrest of two men after the Jam Naked fete at the Queen’s Park Savannah on June 19, Hinds said he had asked the commissioner of police to provide a report on the matter.

The video showed police trying to arrest two men. Police officers kicked and punched the men and, at one point, continued to kick one man in the head after he was subdued on the ground.

“The Prime Minister, out of the country, would have also had sight of it and he made immediate contact with me as Minister of National Security, expressing serious concern.”

He said he received a preliminary report from the commissioner at about 2 pm on Saturday but did not have the time to read it at that point. However, he said he would do so as soon as possible.

“It looks like one of those issues in TT that almost invariably lead to bacchanal and confusion and a meltdown, but I am not yet aware of the exact facts and the details.”