By Prior Beharry
AFTER 62 years on Trinidad and Tobago’s Coat of Arms, the three ships of Christopher Columbus – the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria – which commemorates his discovery of the island of Trinidad in 1498, will be removed and replaced with the steelpan, according to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
He made the announcement on Sunday at the People’s National Movement (PNM) special convention to consider the report of the party’s constitution reform committee at the National Academy for Performing Arts in Port of Spain.
Dr Rowley said, “You see them three Columbus boats in the emblem, they will go. And since we have enough votes in the Parliament to do it I can announce now that as soon as the legislative adjustment is made, that amendment should be made before the 24th of September (Republic day). We are going to replace Columbus’s three ships: the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria with the steelpan.
“And for logistical purposes, that will take place over a six-month period, allowing us to consume the stationary and other things we have in place and be replaced by our new intention.”
He said the change on the Coat of Arms would be the first in moving away from the country’s colonial ties and also made reference to the Caribbean Court of Justice.
Dr Rowley said, “And that should signal that we are on our way to removing the colonial vestiges that we have in our constitution.
“And I hope that we start with that and no longer end up being squatters on the steps of the Privy Council because all those who believe that the Privy Council must always be our Supreme Court one of these days in England that will take the decision to expel us.”
This announcement comes as the public consultation on the review of the placement of statues, monuments and signage in T&T is set to take place on August 28.
In 2022, Cabinet appointed a committee to look at statues and signage after Cross Rhodes Freedom Project founder Shabaka Kambon and other activists called for the removal of the monuments and change in the way history is taught in schools.
Last month, the National Musical Instrument Bill, 2024, was passed in the country’s Parliament, officially making the steelpan the official national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago.
About Trinidad and Tobago’s Coat of Arms
On its website, the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs states:
The Coat of Arms of Trinidad and Tobago was designed in 1962, by a committee of distinguished citizens established to select and design the country’s national emblems. Committee members included noted artist Carlyle Chang and Carnival Designer George Bailey.
The Coat of Arms incorporates important historical and indigenous elements of Trinidad and Tobago. They are: The Shield, The Helm of special design, the Mantle which covers the Helm, the Wreath to hold the Mantle in place, the Crest, the Supports and the Motto.
At the top is the Crest – a ship’s wheel in gold in front of a fruited coconut palm. This palm had always been the central figure on the Great Seals of British Colonial Tobago.
Beneath the wheel is the wreath which holds the mantle in place.
The Helm is a gold helmet facing front which represents the Queen. The devices on the Shield are the two humming birds. The three gold ships represent the Trinity – the discovery of the islands and the three ships of Columbus; the sea that brought our people together; and the commerce and wealth of our country.
The colours of the National Flag are displayed on the Shield.
The Supporters are a Scarlet Ibis (the national bird of Trinidad) on the left and, a Cocrico (the national bird of Tobago) on the right. Both are shown in their natural colours.
The Three Peaks commemorated both Columbus’ decision to name Trinidad after the Blessed Trinity and the three Peaks of the Southern mountain range, called the “Three Sisters” on the horizon. Inscribed on the motto scroll are the words: “Together we aspire; together we achieve,” which speaks for itself and promotes harmony in diversity for national achievement.
Will the PM now consider replacing the Palm at the top with the Balisier Plant or MORE appropriately with the SPECIAL BRANCH plant or even consider the first peoples …,The YUCA aka cassava plant
I am fully in agreement with the decision taken to put out Steelpan on our Coat of Arms.
CAL should also remove the Hummingbird from the tail of their aircraft and put back the Steelpan as BWIA once had it.
There are many International Airlines with a similar bird on their aircraft and CAL needs to stand out as our own.