The island of Trinidad and Tobago is making significant changes to its coat of arms to remove references to European colonization. Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced that the explorer Christopher Columbus’s three ships will be replaced with the steelpan, a popular percussion instrument that originated on the island. The move has been welcomed by many in the country, with the changes expected to be made by late September. This is the first time the coat of arms will be altered since Trinidad gained independence in 1962.
Rowley is pushing for further changes in the country, including potentially removing statues, signs, and monuments with colonial connections. Additionally, he is advocating for abandoning the UK King’s privy council as the highest court of appeal, a move that has already been made by other Commonwealth countries like St Lucia. Trinidad and Tobago is part of a group of 14 Caribbean countries seeking reparations from the UK and other colonial powers, highlighting a larger movement to remove symbols of the colonial era worldwide.
The decision to update the coat of arms and potentially remove colonial symbols is symbolic of Trinidad and Tobago’s desire to move away from its colonial past. The prime minister’s announcement at a party convention received a standing ovation, signaling widespread support for the changes. By reshaping its national symbols, the country is aiming to signal a shift towards a post-colonial identity and to reclaim its history and culture.
The move to remove colonial vestiges and redefine national symbols comes at a time when there is a global movement to address historical injustices and reevaluate the legacies of colonialism. Statues of Columbus have been removed or toppled in the United States in recent years, reflecting a growing awareness of the problematic nature of celebrating historical figures associated with colonization. The changes in Trinidad and Tobago are part of this broader conversation about how societies confront and reckon with their colonial pasts.
The decision to reconsider the country’s coat of arms and other colonial symbols is part of a larger conversation about national identity and decolonization. Trinidad and Tobago’s move to update its national symbols is a step towards acknowledging and addressing the country’s history of colonization. By making these changes, the country is taking a significant step towards reclaiming its narrative and asserting its independence from its colonial past.
Overall, Trinidad and Tobago’s decision to update its coat of arms and consider removing colonial symbols marks a significant moment in the country’s history. The changes signal a shift towards a post-colonial identity and a reevaluation of the country’s history and culture. By removing references to European colonization and potentially dismantling colonial monuments, the country is taking concrete steps towards reclaiming its history and shaping its national identity in a way that reflects its values and aspirations.
