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Home , Callaloo, Canboulay, Chutney music, Oil down, Parang

by Marjuan Canady illustrated by Nabeeh Bilal

Study Guide developed by Wendy Toribio and Marjuan Canady Official Teacher’s Guide

Get more info at www.callaloothebook.com or email [email protected]

Teacher’s Guide

and ask children to predict where Display the picture and accompa- they think the characters are on nying vocabulary words in both their journey. English and Trinidadian Patois as a reference for children. During re- The following is thematic informa- and outside of the classroom. Before reading: Create a chart of peat readings children can use the tion for teachers to understand the elements children recognized pictures, words and sounds where cultural and historical concepts in ***Activity*** during the picture walk and those indicated in the story for a fun and Callaloo: A Jazz Folktale as well as that sparked their curiosity. Review interactive reading. developmentally appropriate activi- Read aloud the chart together and have chil- ties intended to promote higher- dren predict how they believe these After reading: Use the bold order thinking skills through fun Connection: Discuss with children components will come together vocabulary words throughout the and hands-on activities for student what they know about their home in the story. Review and compare classroom and school day in order readers. culture and family customs. your predictions to the story once to encourage fluency and recogni- you’ve finished enjoying the book. tion. You can even create your own Theme: Children celebrate the Picture walk: Guide children “sound” to indicate a culture and folklore of their native, through a picture walk and ask As you read: Make it a point to classroom transition. and Tobago. It’s important what they think they’ll learn from stop on the bold vocabulary to encourage the celebration of the book. Analyze the forefront and words and have pictures ready diverse cultures and customs in background of certain illustrations to demonstrate their meanings.

Callaloo | callaloothebook.com | [email protected] Section 1: Social Studies

Both were Interesting Facts: originally settled by Amerindians of In the 17th century, English, Fun Fact: South American origin. Pre-agri- French, Dutch and even Latvians There are over 400,000 Trinidadian cultural archaic people first settled fought to control the strategic island Americans living in the U.S. Trinidad at least 7,000 years ago, and it changed hands more than making it the earliest-settled part 30 times. Interesting Fact: of the Caribbean. Ceramic-using Trinbagonians are now the second agriculturalists settled Trinidad After slavery was abolished by comes a republic largest group of English-speaking around 250 BC, and then moved Britain, landowners imported thou- (1987) Noor Hassanali became West Indian immigrants in the further up the Lesser Antillean sands of indentured laborers from president United States. chain. At the time of European con- India, China and the Middle East to (1991) Patrick Manning (PNM) tact, Trinidad was occupied by Trinidad. became prime minister ***Activity*** various Arawakan-speaking (2003) President Maxwell Rich- groups including the Nepoya and The islands achieved indepen- ards elected Connection: Have children Suppoya, and Cariban-speaking dence from England in 1962 and (2010) Kamla Persad-Bissessar discuss how their own homes and groups such as the Yao, while became the Republic of Trinidad elected as prime minister neighborhoods look. Reiterate the Tobago was occupied by the Is- and Tobago in 1976. variety among the classroom home land Caribs and Galibi. Named Caribbean Diaspora: Trinbago- environments. for the tobacco cultivated by the History Timeline: nians in the U.S. original Carib population, Tobago (1498) Christopher Columbus Neighborhood Cartographers: existed separately from Trinidad for arrives in T/T The Caribbean Diaspora is defined Go on a neighborhood walk, take centuries. During British rule in the (1532) Trinidad colonized by as the dispersal of people with pictures and draw a map of your late 1600s, sugar, cotton and indigo Spain origins from the Caribbean islands neighborhood. Encourage children plantations were established and (1630s) Dutch settled on Tobago throughout the world including to do the same with their home thousands of Africans were brought (1781) French seized Tobago the United States, South America, neighborhoods. Be creative and to Tobago as slave labor. In 1889, from Spanish Europe, Asia and Africa. developmentally appropriate when Britain joined the smaller Tobago to (1797) Trinidad captured from deciding which map type to make: Trinidad as an administrative ward. Spain by British From 1961-1970, roughly 23,000 topographic map, a physical map, a (1814) France ceded Tobago to Trinidadian and Tobagonian im- climate map, etc. ***The Capital of Trinidad and Britain migrants migrated to the United Tobago is Port of Spain. (1834) Slavery abolished States. From 1971 to 1975, the fig- Vocabulary: urban, suburban, ru- (1889) Trinidad and Tobago be- ure climbed to 33,278. It dropped to ral, transportation, highways, roads, Fun Facts: comes single British colony 28,498 from 1976 to 1980. In New rivers, mountains, etc. Trinidad’s Amerindian name (1945) Universal suffrage insti- York, most Trinbagonian Americans was Iere or “Land of the Hum- tuted live in Brooklyn, NY in the Crown ming Bird”, derived from the Ar- (1956) People’s National Move- Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush awak name for hummingbird, ierèt- ment (PNM) founded and Prospect Park neighborhoods. tê or yerettê. (1962) Trinidad and Tobago gain independence ***The largest proportion of The Chaconia is the national flower (1975) Economy crippled by Trinidadians in the U.S. live in New of Trinidad and Tobago. workers’ strike in oil York City, Maryland, Florida, New (1976) Trinidad and Tobago be- Jersey, and Massachusetts.

Callaloo | callaloothebook.com | [email protected] Section 2: Geography

Trinidad is 1,841 sq. mi in area The main ecosystems are: coastal and Tobago has an area of about and marine (coral reefs, mangrove 120 sq. miles. Trinidad and Tobago swamps, open ocean and sea are part of the . grass beds); forest; freshwater (rivers and streams); karst; man- Trinidad and Tobago lie on the made ecosystems (agricultural continental shelf of South America, land, freshwater dams, secondary and is thus geologically considered forest); and savannah. to lie entirely in South America. Be- cause Trinidad and Tobago lie Fun Facts: on the continental shelf of South At the closest point, Trinidad is America, their biological diversity is just 11 kilometers off the Venezu- unlike that of most other Caribbean elan coast. islands, and has much in common with that of . Nearly 200 species of marine algae have been recorded in Trinidad and ***The Greater Antilles is a group- Tobago. ing of the larger in the ; consisting of Cuba, Haiti, the Plant diversity in Trinidad and Dominican Republic, , Tobago is well documented with and the Cayman Islands. about 3,300 species (59 native) recorded. ***The Lesser Antilles is a chain of islands to the east and south in ***Activity*** the Caribbean Sea; consisting of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Connection: Have children view a , Antigua, Barbuda, St. map of the Caribbean and identify Vincent and St. Lucia. the islands and if they are in the Greater Antilles or the Lesser The climate is tropical. There are Antilles. two seasons annually: the dry sea- son for the first five months of the year, and the rainy season in the remaining seven of the year.

Callaloo | callaloothebook.com | [email protected] Section 3: Science

A total of 470 species of birds have been recorded on the islands Fun Fact: of Trinidad and Tobago. There are The national birds of Trinidad and few places in the world where so Tobago are the Scarlet Ibis and many bird species can be seen in Cocrico. such a small area, many of them The Oilbird uses echolocation to fly unique, very rare, or of particular in the dark interest. They range from the many species of the hummingbird to the ***ACTIVITY*** cave-dwelling oilbird and the spec- tacular scarlet ibis. Connection: Discuss the vast variety of life found in Trinidad and T&T are within a few miles Tobago. Prompt children to think of Venezuela, and the species are about how these life forms all work therefore typical of tropical South together. America. However, the number of makes its home in the Caroni Bird The Cocrico (Ortalis ruficau- species is relatively low compared The Cocrico Comparison Chart: Sanctuary in the Caroni Swamp--an da), also known as the “Chacha- to the mainland, as would be ex- Using the cocrico as a reference, area set aside by the government laca,” is a tropical pheasant pected on small islands. compare and contrast other bird for the protection of these colorful indigenous to Tobago. They tend types that may interest children. birds. The Caroni Swamp includes to inhabit the higher areas of Tobago has only about half the Perhaps you can compare differ- fifteen thousand acres of marsh- the island amidst the forest and number of bird species of Trinidad, ent island birds or compare birds land, tidal lagoons, and mangrove sometimes the dry scrubby lands but 22 birds have occurred only that live in various environments. trees. Several thousand Scarlet bordering cultivated areas. Cocri- on the smaller island, including 12 Here’s a chart that you can modify Ibises nest and roost in the sanctu- cos are known for sounding a loud, breeding species. to serve your needs: ary and are often seen in large grating chorus at dawn and dusk. numbers during the last two hours The sound is a raucous cocricó The Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus of daylight. repeated several times, hence the ruber), locally known as “flamingo,” name of the bird.

Callaloo | callaloothebook.com | [email protected] Section 3: Science

Swamp Terrarium: Children can Steps: better understand the environment 1. Put the gravel and charcoal in Vocabulary: As children observe of a swamp if they help the bottom of the aquarium their swamp terrarium use these create their own swamp terrarium, 2. Now put the potting soil (or vocabulary words to discuss the which they can monitor. This is a compost) in a layer of at least project: condensation, evaporation, great opportunity to learn some 1 inch on top of the gravel and precipitation, water vapor, ground vocabulary words: condensation, charcoal water, emergent, canopy, under- evaporation, precipitation, etc. 3. Dampen the soil story, forest floor 4. Plant the plants around the Materials: a large clear container aquarium Consider: Have children consider (i.e. fish tank), some small gravel, 5. Spray water from spritzer bottle where the Scarlet Ibis and other some charcoal (similar to charcoal into the aquarium animals live, sleep and eat in the used for orchids), plenty of very 6. Put the glass over the top, seal swamp. rich potting soil or compost, a few with clear tape tropical plants, tap water, a large 6. Put your new terrarium in a piece of glass to cover the top of warm, well-lit spot the aquarium completely 7. Watch what happens–keep a notebook.

Callaloo | callaloothebook.com | [email protected] Section 4:

Trinidad and Tobago cuisine is sheen or leaves, okra known indicative of the blends of Indian, locally as Okro, crab or pig- African, Creole, Amerindian, Eu- tails, thyme, pumpkin, pimento, ropean, Chinese and Lebanese onions, coconut milk and shado cultures. beni (from “Chardon Bénit,” a French thistle) or cilantro (cu- African Influences: lantro). Callaloo is often served When Africans came to Trinidad, with cornmeal coo coo, plantain, they brought their robust . cassava, sweet, dumplings and Over generations, these have been curried crab. refined to create signature dishes like pelau, macaroni pie, curry and Fun Fact: chicken and callaloo. The national breakfast food of Trini- dad and Tobago are doubles. Indian Influences: Curry was brought from East India Interesting Fact: to T&T. It is a staple spice found in Trinidad and Tobago has more T&T. Two dishes that are popular in national dishes than any other T&T with roots from India are roti (a country. soft flatbread served with meat or ) and doubles (palm size ***ACTIVITY*** flour patties filled with chickpeas). T & T Farmers: Learning about National dishes: different is great, but eating Callaloo, Bake & Shark, Doubles, them is even better! Create a Pelau, Curried crab & dumplings, small garden (indoor or outdoor) , Pastelles, Black Cake, where children can learn to grow Dhal Puri Roti, Buss-up-shot Roti some T&T staple foods. Chart the (Paratha) and Souse. germination of the different seeds using pictures and checklists. Make Callaloo: a tropical salad from your Trinbago A very popular and nationally well farm! known dish with distinctly Afri- can roots is callaloo, a creamy and spicy side dish made of da-

Callaloo | callaloothebook.com | [email protected] Section 5: Art & Folklore

Trinbagonian folklore is predomi- nantly of African origin, flavored with French and to a lesser degree, Spanish, Indian and English influ- ences.

Folklore

“Papa Bois” is the most widely known of all our folklore characters. He is the old man of the forest and is known by many names, includ- ing “Maître Bois” (master of the woods).

“La Diablesse”, the devil woman As evening draws near, she stirs of Trinidad and Tobago folklore, is and sheds her old and wrinkled FUN FACT: sometimes personified as an old exuberant celebrations. skin becoming a glowing ball of Trinidad is the birthplace of Car- crone, who steps forth with her as it is celebrated in Trinidad and flame, she flies through the night nival. cloven hoof from behind a tree on a Tobago is also celebrated in cities in search of a victim to suck their lonely road. worldwide. blood. Carnival The Mas tradition started in the late “Mama Dlo” or “Mama Dglo” ***ACTIVITY*** “The Duennes” 18th century with French plantation whose name means “mother of are spirits of children who died owners organizing masquerades the water”. A hideous creature, Connection: Prompt children to before they were baptized and as (mas) and balls before enduring her lower half takes the form of an discuss the book’s illustrations of such, they are fated to roam the the fasting of Lent. The slaves, anaconda. the folklore characters forests of Trinidad, practicing their who could not take part in Carnival, wide repertoire of pranks, mostly formed their own, parallel celebra- “The Soucouyant” Storytelling: Using the visualiza- on living children who are enticed tion called “”. Canboulay She is the old woman who lives tions of the folklore characters, away into the forest. Their feet are is a precursor to Trinidad and alone at the end of the village road. have the children pantomime the turned backwards and they have Tobago Carnival. Calypso and folklore characters in the book as a no faces. On their rather large are the two popular group. Once they are comfortable heads they wear huge mushroom- music styles heard during Carnival in a group, have a few act them shaped straw hats. celebrations. out individually saying some lines from the book. Be sure they pay at- The “Lagahoo” or “Loup Garou” The Trinidad and Tobago Carni- tention to each character’s unique is the shape changer of Trini- val is an annual event held on the body design (ex. half human / dad’s folklore. This phenomenon Monday and Tuesday before Ash snake body of Mama D’lo, hairy is usually associated with an old Wednesday in Trinidad and To- werewolf body of the Lagahoo). magic-dealing man of a district who bago. The event is well known for is both feared and respected. participants’ colorful costumes and

Callaloo | callaloothebook.com | [email protected] Section 6: Music

***ACTIVITY***

Connection: Have children demon- strate sounds, movements, instru- ments, music and other items from their own culture and folklore.

T & T Steel Pan Ensemble: Use household items to create your own Steel Pan. Students can use a can, a hollow steel bowl and two spoons to make similar sounds of the steel pan.

Dance: You can’t go wrong with a Soca dance party! Play some calypso or soca music and allow children to volunteer to showcase their dance moves.

Trinidad and Tobago is the birth- dancehall, hip-hop, reggaeton, place of , Soca, house music and other influences. , and the . Steel pan (instrument) Developed in Laventille communi- Calypso ties in the 1930s, the steel pan is Calypso was developed in Trinidad the only non-electrical instrument in the 17th century from the West invented in the 20th century. The African and canboulay music steel pan began brought by African slaves. The as single “ping pongs” hung around Africans were brought to work the neck playing just a few notes, the sugar plantations and were now it covers a full western scale. stripped of their traditions and Some bands top 100 players. forced not to communicate with each other. They used Calypso INTERESTING FACT: to mock the slave masters and to The steel pan, which is widely communicate with each other. claimed in Trinidad and Tobago to be the only acoustic musical Soca instrument invented during the 20th Is a fast-paced, high-energy century. offspring of calypso, pioneered by Ras Shorty I in the 70s, fusing Afri- Many early calypsos were sung can and Indian sounds. Trinidad’s in French creole by an individual pop music, it has absorbed R&B, called a griot, or storyteller.

Callaloo | callaloothebook.com | [email protected] Section 7: Vocabulary

​​​​Review all the vocabulary from the book. Some key vocab words in the Roti (Ro-tee): A flat bread eaten in the Caribbean originating from India. book: ***ACTIVITY*** Callaloo (Cal-a-loo): a Caribbean spinach dish originating from West Africa. Practice the pronunciation of the Patois (the dialect of the common people of a region) of the T&T folklore character names. Dasheen (Da-sheen): A main ingredient in callaloo. Another name for the taro plant leaves originating from South India and Southeast Asia.

Callaloo | callaloothebook.com | [email protected] Additional Resources

Here are additional resources that complement these activities and Callaloo: A Jazz Folktale:

The National Museum and Art Gallery of Trinidad and Tobago: http://www.nmag.gov.tt/

Caribbean Cultural Center Institute: http://cccadi.org/

Carnaval! Exhibit: http://www.carnavalexhibit.org/tobago.php

Caribbean Crossroads Exhibit: http://www.studiomuseum.org/exhibition/caribbean-crossroads-the-world

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