The City of San Fernando is the venue chosen for the re-enactment this year of the Canboulay Riots (1881 to 1884), says Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Culture Junia Regrello. More than 100 costumed performers will descend on Coffee Street, San Fernando, at 5 am on February 11, to recreate the riot that has shaped Carnival as it is celebrated today in Trinidad and Tobago. In 1884, Coffee Street was the scene for some of the more violent clashes between the British police and the freed slaves who, after being emancipated, fought for the right to revel.
They succeeded in having the Governor at that time proclaim a day and time for the commemoration, but it was not without the loss of blood or lives. It is the first time in the history of the celebration, which was traditionally held on Duke Street, Port-of-Spain, but shifted to the Piccadilly Greens two years ago, that it will take place in San Fernando. Regrello said in an interview, yesterday, he hoped schools in south Trinidad, as well as young people would make the effort to come and see the spectacular event. "I know its a difficult hour, but it is only when you see this re-enactment you can begin to fully appreciate what is Carnival.
"Had these people not protested and resisted, we would have never experienced carnival. Carnival is really about the people," he said. Regrello, a former panman and masquerader, said his first exposure to the observance was last year. "When I saw it I was amazed and told the Minister of Culture Marlene Mc Donald, I would like to take it to San Fernando and she agreed," he said. According to historian Michael Anthony, "the Canboulay Riots were riots by the descendants of freed slaves against attempts by the British police to crack down on aspects of the celebration of carnival. The riots occurred in February 1881 in Port-of-Spain, San Fernando and Princes Town in February 1884."
