TRINIDAD & TOBAGO’s coat of arms to feature steelpan, replacing Columbus’ ships: a bold step towards cultural identity

A Historic Shift

In a historic move, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has announced that the steelpan, a symbol of Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural identity, will replace the three ships of Christopher Columbus—Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria—on the nation’s Coat of Arms. This decision reflects the country’s commitment to honoring its indigenous and cultural heritage while moving away from colonial symbols.

Dr. Keith Rowley - Prime Ministrer

The steelpan, the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century, has long been a source of pride for Trinidad and Tobago. It symbolizes the resilience and creativity of the Caribbean people, making it a fitting replacement on the national emblem. Dr. Rowley emphasized the importance of this change in representing the true spirit of the nation, acknowledging its history, struggles, and triumphs.

This shift aligns with broader movements across the Caribbean to decolonize national symbols and celebrate indigenous and cultural identities. By placing the steelpan on the Coat of Arms, Trinidad and Tobago reaffirms its dedication to preserving and promoting Caribbean culture on the global stage.

3 Responses

  1. Pingback: The Steelpan of Trinidad and Tobago: A Cultural Powerhouse
  2. Pingback: Calypso Music: Embracing Trinidad and Tobago’s Rich Traditions
  3. Pingback: Carnival of Trinidad and Tobago: Traditions and Identity

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More articles from RK

Festival del Jíbaro Comerieño
EVENT MANAGEMENT
Tolotra

Festival del Jíbaro Comerieño: Puerto Rico’s mountain festival

Some 40 kilometers by road from San Juan, in the Cordillera Central, Comerío doesn’t have the visibility of Puerto Rico’s major coastal destinations. The town has fewer than 19,000 inhabitants according to the latest US estimates, but it has a strong nickname: la Cuna de Trovadores, the cradle of trovadores. Every June, this mountain town turns its reputation into a cultural event with the Festival del Jíbaro Comerieño. 2026 edition confirmed The Festival del Jíbaro Comerieño returns from June 12 to 14, 2026 for its 46th edition. This year’s event takes on a special significance, as Comerío also marks the 200th anniversary of its foundation. The 2025 edition of the Festival del Jíbaro Comerieño took place from June 12 to 15 in the Plaza de la Trova, with a program combining crafts, workshops, trovadores competitions, typical food, jíbaras masses, concerts and meetings around the decima. The format may vary from

Read More »
08/06/2026 No Comments
KARULINK
COOPERATION
Tolotra

KARULINK: Guadeloupe wants to reweave the Caribbean’s shipping lanes

On June 2 and 3, 2026, public and economic players from Guadeloupe, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and St. Kitts and Nevis sat around the same table in Guadeloupe to work on a very concrete question: how can we better connect nearby islands, whose exchanges are still hampered by transport breaks? The first KARULINK steering committee is not yet launching new lines. It is setting up a method, partners and a timetable to examine the feasibility of regular maritime passenger services. A first COPIL to move from principle to method This meeting marks an important milestone for KARULINK, a European territorial cooperation project co-financed by the European Union as part of the INTERREG Caribbean 2021-2027 program. Discussions focused on three areas: feasibility studies for future maritime services, the development of more environmentally-friendly transport solutions, and prospects for economic and tourism cooperation between the partner territories. This framing is essential. There’s more

Read More »
08/06/2026 No Comments
Sonia Sotomayor
HISTORY & HERITAGE
Tolotra

Sonia Sotomayor: Puerto Rican, first Latina on the US Supreme Court

The Oath of a Bronx Kid On August 8, 2009, at the seat of the U.S. Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor raises her right hand and takes the oath of office. She became the third woman in U.S. history to sit on the Supreme Court, and the first Hispanic, the first Latina, to enter the institution. At that very moment, the child of Puerto Rican-born parents from the Bronx public housing project became one of the nine people charged with interpreting the U.S. Constitution. A Puerto Rican family in the Bronx Sonia Maria Sotomayor was born on June 25, 1954 in the South Bronx, New York. Her parents, Juan Sotomayor and Celina Báez, were both born in Puerto Rico and moved to the Americas after the Second World War. Juan worked in a tool factory. Celina, who had served in the Women’s Army Corps, became a nurse. The family lives in

Read More »
05/06/2026 No Comments

conTACT RK

we'd love to have your feedback on your experience so far

Join The List

Join our Richès Karayib community!  Sign up for our newsletter.

No thanks.

Want To Maximize Your Business Presence On Riches Karayib?

Complete the form to start the application