Trini Tuesday-Snavy's Question

First of all, I want to thank each of you who commented yesterday and especially those who left poems. I was in and out all day and didn't have much chance to respond inthe comments. I just loved reading all the favorites as well as the ones people wrote themselves. I saw some old favorites, found some new poets to explore, and witnessed the talent of creative fellow bloggers. Thanks so much!

Now, onto a Trini Question...

snavylyn said...
I would love to learn about dance Trini style.


LIMBO


Yes, believe it or not the Limbo originated in Trinidad! The backwards bending movement is said to be reminiscent of the motions slaves had to make as they entered a ship's hold. No matter how they twisted or turned though, there was no escape from having to go under. As I was checking for information on the dance I also learned that it was originally performed at wakes and was named for the afterlife destination between heaven and hell. Doing the dance during a wake was considered a way to help the departed friend or family member escape limbo and enter heaven.

The version with flaming sticks emerged during the 50's and 60's as a means to entertain tourists and is not generally danced socially.



PARANG DANCE


This is based on the Castillian Waltz style and is especially popular at Christmas time when Parang bands perform seasonal tunes. Non waltzing forms can also be seen when the livelier tunes are played but it is still firmly rooted in a Latin ballroom style.



CLASSICAL INDIAN DANCE


Schools for this form are quite common in Trinidad since there is a large Indian population. There are apparently enough styles in this form to keep me blogging for weeks but the most often seen seems to be the style in which stories of the Hindu mythology are related via graceful, prescribed movements.


WINE


No, this isn't something you drink in, except with your eyes perhaps. No words can adequately express what a good Trini wine is all about. Even the picture here leaves something to be desired. A wine is an emphatic pelvic gyration used when dancing to Calypso or Soca music. Imagine perhaps a belly dancer making very fast circles. Feet stay planted in one spot while hips bump and grind. It pulsates and throbs and gets various anatomical parts and physiological processes doing the same when well executed. You can solo wine, partner wine or group wine. When wining with another it can be face to face or front to back but it is always done grinding right up against your partner. The inability to wine well is what marks most foreigners, but if a visitor to the island gives an impressive wine they are immediately dubbed a Trini. And yes, in case you wondered, ah can get on bad when ah winin'!

Happy Trini Tuesday!