Tacarigua Savannah Essay

1311 Words6 Pages
Introduction The Tacarigua Savannah nestled within the peaceful, unspoiled community of Tacarigua is one of Trinidad’s oldest village. This community full of a rich sporting history proudly boast of being the second largest sporting ground in Trinidad. This savannah is home to many sporting activities for residents of Tacarigua and its environs. However, in 2013 when government announced plans to develop the savannah grounds into a modern sporting facility author of “Preserving the Tacarigua Savannah and resident strongly opposed this development. According to Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe “The Ministry of Sports must not be allowed to destroy our village”. But one must ask is this development really destroying Tacarigua? According to Trinidad calypsonian King Austin “The Price of Progress is high”. A price clearly they are not willing to pay. Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe in his book “Preserving the Tacarigua Savannah” though clearly written highlighting his views and beliefs still fail to pursue one about his true reasons for opposing this development. In fact, the author painted a picture of an undeveloped traditional society dwelling only on passed events. The real issues affecting Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe and the people of Tacarigua is cultural retention, destruction of a symbolic identity, and the fear of expansionism. Preserving the Tacarigua Savannah can be seen as an act of retaining a culture specific to persons within that area, especially as it’s on the verge of destruction. To many this a struggle to keep their values and practices of their way of life current. Culture gives you a sense of community that is a link between the past and the present, which helps shape the future. “The beautiful aspect about Tacarigua and its “districkers” was the manner in which it organized itself as a community through the use of its savannah”. This savannah which was home to many
Open Document