Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Keith Rowley, has proposed a significant change to the country’s coat of arms, suggesting the removal of the three ships representing Christopher Columbus’s expeditions and their replacement with an image of the steelpan, the national instrument.

Rowley’s proposal, announced on August 18, has been met with enthusiastic support from some quarters but has also generated debate within the capital. The ships currently depicted on the coat of arms are associated with Columbus’s voyages that led to European colonization and exploitation of the Caribbean.

The move aligns with a broader regional trend where Caribbean nations are re-evaluating historical symbols tied to colonialism. Critics argue that the ships’ removal might erase important historical references, while proponents see it as a necessary step towards correcting historical inaccuracies and distancing from colonial legacies.

Dr. Claudius Fergus, a historian and chair of the National Committee on Reparations, praised the proposal. He emphasized that the change is not an attempt to erase history but to rectify it. “Every generation has an obligation to reinterpret their history and to correct the falsehoods on which some of that history would have been written,” Fergus stated. His committee, which is part of the Caricom Reparations Commission, supports efforts to address the legacy of slavery and colonialism.

Rowley’s announcement was well-received at a convention of his People’s National Movement party, where he confidently declared the change would be enacted before September 24, citing parliamentary support for the amendment.

Fergus highlighted the significance of replacing the Columbus ships with the steelpan, an emblem of Trinidadian culture. “The steelpan was born in Laventille, an area that faced severe social and racial prejudices. Its acceptance today represents a triumph over those historical challenges,” he said.

However, the proposal has sparked varied reactions in Woodford Square, Port of Spain, a historic site of political discourse. Roberto, a local resident, argued that the government should focus on addressing poverty and questioned whether removing the ships would impact historical education for future generations. Brunan Tavernier, a telecommunications worker, dismissed the issue as irrelevant to pressing national problems like crime.

On the other hand, some citizens see the removal of the ships as a positive change. Yafeu Iregi expressed support, suggesting it could mark a broader shift away from colonial remnants in Caribbean society.

This proposal is part of a larger discussion on colonial identity in Trinidad and Tobago. A cabinet-appointed committee is set to review the placement of statues, monuments, and signage in the country and will seek public input on these issues.

Trinidad and Tobago’s move reflects a growing trend across the Caribbean, where nations are increasingly reassessing and altering symbols of colonial legacy. This follows Barbados’s recent decision to remove the British monarch as head of state, with other Caribbean countries considering similar changes.

Trinidad and Tobago coat of arms change Keith Rowley steelpan national symbol colonial legacy Christopher Columbus ships Caribbean identity historical symbols Caricom Reparations Commission Trinidadian culture decolonization efforts