Ring in the New Year Trini Style

Christmas is over, and now it is time to get ready to ring in the New Year Trini Style. First off, we do not call it ‘New Year’s Eve’, it’s ‘Ole Year’s Night’. All the party goers have planned exactly what they are doing and what fancy outfit they will be wearing for this night. It is usually a very formal/fancy affair starting with church.

Before any feting (partying) starts, most Trinis go to church to ask forgiveness for their sins of the past year, and for those they are about to commit (at d fete). Also, they ask for blessings of good luck, much fortune, and love in the New Year. Basically, they cleanse their souls in the Old Year, then go break every cardinal rule in the New (get my drift?).

In the West Indies, religion and church are rooted in the culture. This is the main reason that on this specific night the series of events follow this described pattern. Who am I kidding, this probably happens pretty much everywhere, but Trinbagonians are a special breed of party goers. If you have ever been to Carnival in T&T you would know exactly what I mean. But that’s a topic for another article. In the meantime, enjoy one of our Trini Auld Lang Syne midnight mantras.

Somewhere between church and party, there is usually the traditional first meal of black-eyed peas peleau (rice and peas dish). The belief is that if you have this dish as your first meal of the year you will have good luck for the next 12 months. Some people also believe that just having black-eyed peas in your kitchen on Ole Year’s night should produce the same fate. Who really knows if this actually works?

Like the paranderos at Christmas, Trinis go ‘liming’ from house to house to fete, where food, booze, and music is the common denominator. This is not including any public functions they may attend. Parang is often still in the air, but also, new soca music is debuted in preparation for the upcoming Carnival. It is a long night so home time is anytime during daylight on New Year's Day. For Trinis, it is extremely important to spend quality time with family, especially those you haven’t seen since last Ole Year’s. Yes, another fete! Full disclosure, I have done this on an occasion or two…guilty!

I can’t forget to mention the fireworks show put on in backyards, fields, etc. Another practice adopted from foreign. The Gov’t have put regulations in place for fireworks, and there is a lot of callout to ban this practice. But in true Trini form, they throw caution to the wind and do whatever they want. Every year unfortunately, just like in many other countries, there are always tragedies reported in relation to these fireworks. So if you plan on doing this, please do it safely.

Back to the fete… the Ole Year’s Night fete does not actually happen until New Year’s morning, so technically it is the first party for the Carnival. New Year’s Day really signifies the start of the Carnival season. For 2023, Carnival is in February where the main event is held on the Monday and Tuesday on the eve of Ash Wednesday – the official start of the lent season. Following the theme here? Remember, religion and church. There are a host of activities that happen before the main event. If you want to be the first to read the article I have planned for February then you need to hit that subscribe button now. If you already have, I thank you for your support! Sorry, had to sneak that in…

However you decide to ring in the New Year…have fun, drink responsibly, and please call a taxi!

Oh…and those New Year Resolutions….ahahah... those resolutions…again a topic for another article…Subscribe!

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