trinidad dictionary

Santimanitay - Jesus On A Cross

Trini Phrase of the Week: Santimanitay

Sandimanitay, sans humanité, sandemanetay, santimanitay (n): A traditional Kalinda and Calypso challenge refrain. (French sans humanité ‘without mercy’). None of the bands sang any properly composed songs, most of t the songs having a jingle of words uttered with lightning-like rapidity and ending with the monotonous sans humanité.

Quelbe African Lady Dancing

Trini Phrase: Quelbe

Quelbe, quelba, quilbay 1 (n): A kind of African dance possibly of Congo origin, comprising songs, drumming and dances performed by women. As late as 1940 on the hills in Charlotteville at nights one could hear the music of Congo women playing what villagers called Congo-drum (marli doun-doun) and tambour-bamboo…and dancing quelbe reputed to be …

Trini Phrase: Quelbe Read More »

Rachifee: Man sweeping the word truth with a broom under a red rug

Trini Phrase: Rachifee

Rachifee, ratcheefi, ratchifi, rachify (n): Somethings done in a makeshift, careless, or slightly devious way; or as a result of cheating, corruptions, or trickery. (Possibly French rafistolé ‘mended; patched up; English retrofit ‘force something to fit; use something not originally designed for the task’ The amount of ‘bobboll‘ and rachifee going one with we money …

Trini Phrase: Rachifee Read More »

%d bloggers like this: