Trinidad and Tobago will revise its national coat of arms for the first time since 1962, replacing colonial references with symbols that reflect its rich cultural heritage. The move marks an important step towards decolonization in the eastern Caribbean nation.
Trinidad and Tobago, an island nation in the Caribbean, is boldly redefining its national identity by redesigning its coat of arms. The current coat of arms, which has remained unchanged since the country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1962, contains elements that reflect the island’s colonial past. Among them are the three ships – Pinta, Nina and Santa Maria – used by the explorer Christopher Columbus during his voyage to the New World. These symbols, representing the advent of European colonization, are now set to be replaced by the steel pan. This percussion instrument originated on the island and symbolized the cultural heritage of Trinidad and Tobago.
Many in the country have praised the decision to remove these colonial references. It represents an important move towards reclaiming and celebrating the island’s indigenous and African roots, while distancing itself from the remnants of European colonisation. Prime Minister Keith Rowley, who announced the changes at a party convention for the ruling People’s National Movement, said it was part of a wider effort to remove colonial relics from the country’s constitution and national symbols. The changes are expected to be finalized at the end of September.
The restoration of national identity
The revision of the coat of arms is the first major change since it was originally designed after Trinidad and Tobago’s independence in 1962. The original design includes hummingbirds, a palm tree and the red ibis, Trinidad’s national bird. While these elements will likely remain, the removal of Columbus’ ships is a deliberate attempt to redefine the nation’s identity, focusing on the symbols that resonate most with the island’s people and history.
The steel pan, which will replace the ships, is not just a musical instrument, but a powerful cultural symbol for Trinidadians. It was developed on the island in the 1930s and has since become a representation of the ingenuity and resilience of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. By raising the steel ceiling on the national emblem, the country clearly shows which aspects of its history and culture it values most.
The change is part of a larger global movement to reevaluate and often remove symbols of the colonial era, especially those associated with figures like Columbus, whose arrival in the Americas marked the beginning of centuries of exploitation and oppression for indigenous peoples. Across the United States, for example, statues of Columbus have been removed or toppled in recent years as part of a broader reckoning with the country’s colonial past.
Review of other colonial symbols
The decision to change the coat of arms is just one part of Trinidad and Tobago’s efforts to distance itself from its colonial past. The government also plans to hold public hearings on whether other symbols of colonial ties, such as statues and monuments, should be removed. These hearings will allow citizens to voice their opinions on which aspects of the island’s colonial history should be preserved and which should be retired.
Prime Minister Rowley also wants to abandon the UK’s King’s Privy Council as the highest court of appeal in Trinidad and Tobago. This legal arrangement, a holdover from the colonial era, remains in force for some Commonwealth countries, including Trinidad and Tobago. However, there is a growing feeling in the region that these countries should rely on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). This regional judicial body serves as the court of final appeal for several Caribbean countries.
Saint Lucia, for example, voted last year to remove the Privy Council from its legal system, choosing instead to join the CCJ. Rowley has argued that continued reliance on the Privy Council undermines Trinidad and Tobago’s sovereignty, likening it to being “kidnapped on the steps of the Privy Council”. Leaving this colonial legal structure would be another significant step in the country’s journey towards full independence.
The broader push for reparations and decolonization
Trinidad and Tobago’s actions are part of a wider trend across the Caribbean to address the legacies of colonialism. The island is one of 14 Caribbean countries that have sought reparations from the UK and other colonial powers for historical injustices caused during the colonial period. These demands for reparations are rooted in the belief that the colonial powers owe the Caribbean nations for the exploitation of their land and people during the era of European colonization.
This push for reparations is gaining momentum globally as countries and communities seek to hold former colonial powers accountable for their actions. The changes to Trinidad and Tobago’s coat of arms can be seen as part of this wider movement to right historical wrongs and reclaim national identities that were suppressed during the colonial period.
Ongoing efforts to remove colonial symbols, whether through changes to national symbols such as coats of arms or by seeking reparations, are not just about the past. They are also about the future—creating a national identity that reflects the values, history and culture of the people living in Trinidad and Tobago today. By taking these steps, the country is positioning itself as a leader in the global movement to decolonize and ensure that its national symbols reflect the pride and heritage of its people.
A nation redefined
As Trinidad and Tobago moves towards finalizing these changes, the population has a palpable sense of pride. The coat of arms revisions are seen as an overdue recognition of the island’s rich cultural heritage and a necessary step towards a more comprehensive and accurate representation of the nation. The country is rewriting its coat of arms and its narrative by removing references to European colonization and replacing them with symbols like the steel pan.
The changes to the coat of arms, the possible removal of colonial statues and the removal of the Privy Council are all part of a wider effort to redefine what it means to be Trinidadian and Tobagonian. It is about looking forward to a future where the nation’s symbols and institutions reflect the true diversity and wealth of its people, free from the shadows of colonialism.
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Trinidad and Tobago’s journey to decolonization is far from over, but the steps it takes today will have a lasting impact on generations to come. By embracing its history and culture, the country is setting an example for other nations in the Caribbean and beyond that are struggling with their colonial legacies. The road ahead may be challenging, but it is one that the people of Trinidad and Tobago are ready to walk—toward a future where their national symbols truly belong to them.
