March 30, 2010 will be the fifteenth anniversary of the Shouter Baptist Liberation Day celebration in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is officially a national holiday on the twin island Republic and represents a celebration of the repeal of March 30, 1951 of the 1917 Shouter Prohibition Ordinance barring the worship of the Shouter or Spiritual Baptist faith. The ban was imposed, ostensibly, because the Shouters celebrated too loudly. It was, however, suspected that the real reason their activities were curtailed was because the colonizers were opposed to their Afro-centred practices. Worshippers who defied the ban were beaten, arrested and jailed, and they had to flee to the hills and forests to practice their religion without interference. After much lobbying, the bill to overturn the ban was passed in 1951.
Over the years, Shouter Baptists in Trinidad and Tobago have been awarded plots of land and allowed to establish their own schools and places of worship.
Fifteen years ago, when the national holiday was granted, this action by the government prompted much jubilation among members of the Spiritual Shouter Baptist faith and each year this group hosts thanksgivings throughout the country to celebrate their freedom to worship and to commemorate the auspicious holiday.
The Baptist faith continues to make an impact on the social, economical and spiritual landscape of this country. Being a Spiritual Baptist is viewed as a way of life for many. The Liberation celebration is a free event and involves both old and young persons and includes various cultural activities and motivational messages.
There are four distinct Baptist groups in existence in Trinidad and Tobago, namely the London Baptists, the Independent Baptists, the Spiritual Baptists and the Fundamental Baptists.
The origins of the Spiritual and Shouter Baptist faith in Trinidad and Tobago has evolved over time to become a unique, indigenous religion. It has managed to fuse the rhythms of Africa with the restrained, traditional tenets of Christianity to produce a religion that is vibrant, expressive and dynamic.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CREDITS:
- Story by Natalie Walters
- Photo by