About Trinidad and Tobago
The country comprises two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and several smaller islands. It lies close to South America, with Venezuela to the south-west and Guyana to the south-east. Trinidad has three mountain ranges, high waterfalls and sandy beaches. Tobago has a mountain range, beaches and coral reefs.
Region
Language
English Tobagonaian Creole Trinidadian Creole
English (official language), with a number of Creole languages spoken including Trinidadian Creole and Tobagonaian Creole.
Population
1.4 million (2022)
Area
Trinidad, 4,800 square kilometres, Tobago, 300 square kilometres
High Commissioner
His Excellency Vishnu Dhanpaul
Capital
Port of Spain
Joined Commonwealth
1962, following independence from Britain
Episode guests
Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE DL
Actress, Presenter, Broadcaster and Parliamentarian
Floella Benjamin is an actress, presenter, broadcaster and parliamentarian. Floella was recently awarded the order of merit, in 2010 she was introduced to the House of Lords as a Liberal Democrat Peer, and in 2020 she was awarded a Damehood for her charitable work. She currently Chairs the Windrush Commemoration Committee. Floella has written over 30 books with her memoir ‘Coming To England’ now studied in schools.
Links to two of her books, including her new autobiography can be found here:
Brown girl in the Ring
"I used to sing this song in the playground at break time. Someone would be chosen to stand in the middle of a circle and the other children would sing the song and the person in the middle would have to do the actions." - Floella Benjamin
Brown girl in the ring
Tra la la la la
There’s a brown girl in the ring
Tra la la la la
Brown girl in the ring
Ta la la la la
She looks like a sugar in a plum
Plum plum
Show me your motion
Tra la la la la
Come on show me your motion
Tra la la la la
Show me your motion
Tra la la la la
She looks like a sugar in a plum
Plum plum
Clap hands for Mammy
"This is a rhyme my mum used to sing to her children. She would rock and kiss us to try and get us to sleep." - Floella Benjamin
Clap hands for Mammy
Till Daddy come
Bring cake and sugar plum
And give baby all
When Daddy come
He will kiss and say boo
That is to show Daddy’s love is true
T'is Long Time Gal Me Never See Yuh
T’is long time gal me never see yuh
Come mek me hold yuh hand
This long time gal me never see yuh
Come mek me hold yuh hand
Peel hand John Crow sit upon the tree top
Pick out the blossom
Mek mi hold yuh hand Gal
Mek mi hold yuh hand
Long time gal me never see yuh
Come mek we walk and talk
Long time gal me never see yuh
Come mek we walk and talk
Peel head John Crow sit upon the tree top
Pick out the blossom
Mek mi walk and talk Gal
Mek mi talk and talk Gal
Long time gal me never see yuh
Come mek we wheel and Jig
Long time gal me never see yuh
Come mek we wheel and Jig
Peel head John Crow sit upon the tree top
Pick out the blossom
Mek mi hold wheel and Jig Gal
Mek mi hold wheel and Jig
Mek mi walk and talk Gal
Mek mi walk and talk
Mek mi hold yuh hand Gal
Mek mi hold yuy hand
