The logo of the Tobago Heritage Festival is a striking image of a pregnant woman seemingly on the verge of giving birth. But what exactly does it represent?
As we continue to explore stories from the Tobago Heritage Festival, we take a closer look at the story behind the logo, unearthing the rich symbolism that is present in every minute detail.
In an interview with TTT News, cultural stalwart Annette Alfred explained that the image of a pregnant woman in a stooping position, appearing ready to give birth, is symbolic of many stories to be told.
“People would say it is a… what is that big-bellied woman…but what it meant is that our culture is so much, our traditions are so, you know, varied that the belly could never get empty. It’s always being refilled, it’s always being refilled, it’s always being refilled.”
The logo of the Tobago Heritage Festival was designed by Edward Hernandez, then curator of the Tobago Museum at Fort King George.
It features the silhouette of an African woman, symbolising Tobago’s people, the vast majority of whom are of African descent.
“Then they talk about the hair, the flower in the hair, being European.”
Tobago had a turbulent past, changing hands more than thirty times among the European powers of Spain, the Netherlands, Courland, France and Britain between 1498 and 1814.
Each colonial power influenced Tobago’s culture in some way, and that is reflected in the traditions displayed during the festival.
The words “Tobago Heritage Festival” are written in a font that reflects the island’s Amerindian past.
There is an inscription ‘Pulchrior evenit’ below the image. In English, it means ‘She becomes more beautiful.’ This was Tobago’s motto before it became annexed to Trinidad in 1889.
It is symbolic of the island’s natural beauty and the beauty of its people and culture.
When the logo was unveiled in 1987, it served as an inspiration for people like Mrs Alfred, who worked tirelessly to produce the festival annually.
“I understood and I got to understand that we have plenty, plenty to show and plenty we can use. Because it was a belly that was being constantly filled. As you do something, they say you could find something for next year. And you will find more for the year after.”
Mrs Alfred believes that, over time, some aspects of Tobago’s story have been lost in the recent depictions of the Tobago Heritage Festival.
However, she said this year’s theme offers renewed hope.
“The theme for this year, ‘Tell The Full Story,’ it brings me back to that because the full story is there. It is only that it is to be told, and I’m hoping that research is being done so that the whole story could be told.”