The Rumshop

The Rum Shop, an institution of village life, much in evidence in present society today was re-created as part of the Heritage celebrations. Why? As society develops institutions are created to service the needs of the community, the rum shop is one such pivotal institution for our society.

The Rum Shop served as a meeting point for society’s more colourful members. The Rum Shop is often seen as common ground, where people form all walks of life could meet and feel the pulse of society, exchange ideas and refresh themselves.

Heritage seeks to ensure that the easy camaraderie characterised by the Rum Shop is preserved for the good of all our citizens. The former bastion of males still exists today much like its forebears, relatively unchanged. For Tobago in many areas the traditional values have not changed significantly, and the Rum Shop has remained, particularly in the outlying areas, a cornerstone of activity. In other areas of the country the Rum Shop has given way, especially in the urban centres, to the various clubs and discos as the primary points for social intercourse.

From mid-July until early August, the island comes alive during the Tobago Heritage Festival, which celebrates slave traditions brought from Africa. Each village honours the gala in its own special way. Moriah has an Old Time Wedding; the stadium hosts Rum Shop Lime 2 (a re-creation of what islanders did while waiting for the rum to brew) waiting is the key here and Charlottesville's Natural Treasures has a parade and a treasure hunt. The prize, buried at the beach is three cases of Carib beer.

So come take a drink with the boys, and nowadays girls, and chat about the good ole days right here in the rum shop at the village square.