Reflective Entry #1
First Peoples' Community Center
In the planning and development stage, our group met on 26th September 2025, during our Caribbean Lab class (Figure 1). We discussed each member’s name and address to help us discuss and plan when and how to visit the First Peoples’ Community Center. We then selected a date for the visit that matched the First Peoples’ Activity Week schedule and prepared questions to ask during our visit on Saturday, October 11th, 2025.
Figure 1: Picture of first group meeting to plan our steps of investigation
During the execution stage, our group gathered at the Arima Police Station on Broadway Street, Arima, at 10:30 a.m. After learning that the event was postponed to later that day at 3:00 p.m., we decided to visit the Hyarima Statue located at the corner of Hollis Avenue and Railway Road in Arima, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Picture collage showing the Hyarima statue (left) and the group photo on site at the Hyarima statue (right).
At 2:30 p.m., we began walking to the First Peoples’ Community Centre to take part in the activities scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m., as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Image of members
walking to the First Peoples’ Community Centre
Video 1: Video showing members
approaching the First Peoples' Community Centre
Upon arriving at the Centre, we explored the compound and viewed various artifacts on display. These included examples of traditional clothing, jewelry, musical instruments, cooking utensils, and craft items, as shown in Figures 4 -11. There was also a traditional hut used for housing. Although no edible food samples were available, a display board listed several common foods of the First People’s.
Figure 4: Image showing the view on entrance of the First People's Community Centre
Figure 5: Picture collage of group members with several artifacts
Figure 6: Picture collage of
group members with a statue (left) and a member wearing a First People’s
headdress (right).
Figure 7: Image of group members in the First People’s Community Centre observing the artifacts on display
Figure 8: Picture collage showing jewelry and accessories representative of the First Peoples.
Figure 9: Picture collage showing
baskets (left) and cassava strainers along with other craft (right)
Figure 10: Image showing some
samples of clothing representative of the First People.
We then had the opportunity to meet the Chief of the First Peoples Community, Mr. Ricardo Bharath Hernandez. Although casually attired, he appeared dignified, seated in a bamboo chair under the only hut on the compound. He welcomed us and spoke briefly with us about the displays we had observed and explained that the conch shell and smoke were traditional means of communication between communities. He also emphasized that language plays a vital role in their rituals, although many different forms are spoken.
The Chief then extended an unexpected invitation for us to visit the First People’s Hill, located off Blanchiseusse Road on First Peoples’ Heritage Road, Arima (Figure 12). Although our original plan was only to tour the Community Centre, this spontaneous invitation gave us the chance to witness a traditional ceremony firsthand.
Figure 12: Image showing the First
People’s Heritage Road, located off Blanchiseusse Road in Arima.
When we arrived at the First Peoples’ Hill, we observed that the area was still under construction. There were two small huts near the edge of a cliff-like area and two larger huts positioned closer to the entrance of the area (Figures 13-16). All the huts were built from wood and had roofs made of dried palm leaves. We also witnessed the setting up of drums, guitars, and shak-shaks, as well as the vibrant red garments worn by the participants in preparation of the ceremony to proceed.
Figure 13: Image showing
incomplete structure at center of compound on the First People’s Hill.
Video 2: Video showing the huts and ongoing construction at the First People’s Hill.
Figure 14: Image showing members
interacting with a participant preparing for the tribal ceremony at the First
People’s Hill.
Figure 15: Picture collage of
participants setting up their instruments (left) and preparing themselves for
the tribal ceremony (right)
Figure 16: Image showing an
onlooker showcasing a symbolic artifact known as “eagle cry”.
The ceremony began with a short speech from Chief Ricardo Bharath-Hernandez, who spoke about his vision for developing the site to better accommodate visitors interested in learning about the First Peoples’ culture (Video 3). He expressed that anyone seeking to share in the First Peoples’ experience will be accommodated at this site soon. Following his speech, prayers were offered in Kalina, the traditional language of the First Peoples, marking the start of the evening’s festivities. The traditional songs were powerful yet melodic, sung in Kalina, and the dances were led by two prominent community members. As the event continued, we were invited to join in the dancing, creating a warm sense of unity and shared cultural experience (Video 4).
Video 3: Video showing our brief
interaction with the First Peoples Community, Mr. Ricardo Bharath Hernandez.
Video 4: Video showing group members with participants in the First People’s ceremony
Through the art of theatre, we came to understand the value of cultural studies and the need to approach them with respect and empathy. We began to see how the First Peoples view the land—not as something to own, but as an extension of themselves, something to be cared for and respected. This idea connects closely to theatre arts, which act as a bridge to culture through storytelling, allowing us to create performances that celebrate real people and their traditions.
In relation to dance education, this visit gave us the opportunity to learn a new dance while also deepening our connection with Trinidad’s heritage and the First People’s community. It promotes the preservation of cultural identity and traditions, while also helping us develop empathy for the First Peoples and a greater understanding of their perspectives and challenges.
This experience was valuable for music students, as it showed a variety of instruments and musical structures used in traditional songs. The performers even used their bodies to make music through stomping, clapping, and shouting. Their approach to music was holistic and expressive, going beyond the use of instruments alone. It also broadened our understanding of traditional Caribbean instruments and their cultural significance.
Everyone gained several new experiences, including exposure to unique instruments, language, artifacts, and even geography, as many visited Arima for the first time. However, one experience that stood out to all was discovering that the First Peoples community had its own street and small village situated on a mountain, dedicated entirely to the Carib community. This experience was truly unique because it offered knowledge that couldn’t be found through research. Even Google Maps doesn’t show the location of the First People’s Heritage Hill. (Figure 17)
Figure:17 Image showing that the street sign is not shown on google maps.
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