Lopinot Historical Complex
TriniView.com Reporters
Event Date: June 29, 2007
The Lopinot Exhibition 2007 took place during the month of June exhibiting some of the history and culture of the Lopinot Village. Triniview.com ventured to the historic site on Friday 29th June, 2007, to bear witness to some of the unearthed history of the village. Although many of the historic artifacts have already been observed by many, there were still new and exciting archeological finds and more information to assist in the understanding and purpose of some of the dug-up ornaments and tools.
Images of significant members of the Lopinot community
On that day, Triniview.com spoke to Pearl Garcia of the Lopinot Tourist Action Committee who provided a tour of Counte de Lopinot's former residence, now the Lopinot Historical Complex. Inside were walls plastered with images of significant members of the Lopinot community, many of whom have passed away; cuatros and other musical instruments hung on the wall; Counte de Lopinot's wardrobe and washbasin; and other artifacts dug-up around the estate belonging to him, the former enslaved Africans and the Amerindian group.
Pearl Garcia
Outside the house were other traditional Lopinot tools, cutlery, craft and wooden carvings made by the villagers themselves; some replicating the ways in which their ancestors had done things. Cocoa beans and other material from the cocoa plant were laid upon a table as a reminder that all activity on the compound revolved around it.
Jail where enslaved Africans were held on the estate (now an office space)
Around the Lopinot Complex, we were also reminded of Lopinot's grisly past with the jailhouse structure (now an office space) adjacent to Counte de Lopinot's residence. Africans were held in this compound for resisting enslavement and for attempting to escape horrendous conditions. Some were beaten mercilessly and even hung nearby.
Craft by Lopinot villagers
During the tour, we entered the cocoa hut which is the compound's center for processing the cocoa for export. In it, there was craft by Lopinot villagers and products from cocoa that some of the villagers had made for sale. Some of the owners and creators of the craft present inside the cocoa hut were Cyril Cooper, Martin 'Cuatro' Gomez, Hamid Abdullah Muhammad, Hubert Fullerton, Gyasi Wells and Jelanie Wells.
Students from the Adolescent Development Programme, SERVOL, Beetham
Also present were people who came to admire some of the history that the Lopinot villages have to offer. The crowd on Friday was a small one but it was promised that Saturday and Sunday the Complex would have been full. One such group was the Adolescent Development Programme group of SERVOL, Beetham who, accompanied by group managers Junior Cummings, Rishma Ramsubagh, Natalie Williams and Nataki Cyrus, came to witness Lopinot heritage.
Martin 'Cuatro' Gomez and friends demonstrates some Parang
After admiring some of the work of the villagers and bearing witness to some of the pleasant as well as unpleasant aspects of the compound, noted Parang man, Martin 'Cuatro' Gomez, invited members of Triniview.com back to the former residence of Counte de Lopinot to serenade us with Parang music. With him were some younger Parang players who played a few traditional, folkloric tunes in Spanish.
Entering the Lopinot Historical Complex
The village of Lopinot has always offered an interesting view of its history particularly because of its ability to preserve its cultural traditions and protect its last remaining artifacts and documents. People have also ventured to Lopinot because of its beautiful surroundings which have been maintained by its villagers. The Lopinot Exhibition 2007 has highlighted Lopinot's successes and hopes to bring awareness so that the tradition of preservation is maintained and the work of the villages in this community continues to be highlighted.
Lopinot Exhibition 2007 in pictures:
www.triniview.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=186696
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