25 February 2006

Trinidadian Web Logs

There are many wonderful Trinidadian and Tobagonian web logs online, some of which would be of interest to those concerned not specifically with indigenous peoples of the Caribbean as such, but with issues of self-sufficiency, local creativity, respect for the natural environment, and with visions of an autonomous Caribbean psyche, polity and economy. These would, I think, resonate with many of us who are closest to indigenous Caribbean peoples, either as students or as actual participants. Let me list some of the these notable blogs below, some of which have also adopted Amerindian themes:

1. GUANAGUANARE: The Laughing Gull--at http://guanaguanaresingsat.blogspot.com/--"The laughing gull collects poems, including lyrics from songs, about the islands of Trinidad and Tobago." For those who love poetry, especially Caribbean poetry, this is one of the key sites to visit. One of the amusing features of the site is that it is presented as if written by the gull, the bird, itself. (The author is otherwise anonymous, or is actually a gull with advanced keyboard skills.)

2. NOW IS WOW--at http://nowiswow.blogspot.com/--by multimedia artist Elspeth Duncan, a Trinidadian of Vincentian heritage. There is almost too much to this site to define it neatly: you can see videos of the artist dancing, hear audio of her musical compositions, see photos of her unique use of windows in art work, read her essays and interviews with everyday Trinidadians, it really is a fascinating piece of work.

3. THE BOOKMANN--at http://thebookmann.blogspot.com/ --another stunning creation, this one by Richard Bolai, aka the Bookbinder and the author of thebookmann. He lives and works in Trinidad, West Indies. The blog's aim is to focus on Art in Trinidad and Tobago, and around the world in a context to engage the viewer to visual art.

4. TTLTT: Through the Lens, Trinidad and Tobago--at http://www.ttltt.com/--provides some marvellous photographic depictions of some very down to earth and yet nonetheless compelling scenes in Trinidad, from old homes to signs to flowers and landscapes. After viewing this blog, the question that would seem to naturally force itself on one's mind is: why isn't the whole world rushing to live in Trinidad and Tobago?

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