In a stirring nod to Tobago’s turbulent past, the Roxborough Belmana Riots have dramatically returned to the Tobago Heritage Festival this year, offering residents and visitors a poignant reenactment of the 1876 uprising that reshaped the island’s history.
The dramatic event that unfolded on Monday morning vividly recreates the pivotal moments of the Roxborough cocoa estate revolt. The original riots were sparked by widespread discontent among workers who laboured under gruelling conditions on the estate.
Roxborough Cocoa estate workers originally from Barbados fought against their deplorable working conditions which resulted in the estate being set ablaze. As tensions continued to rise Corporal Belmana shot Mary Jane Thomas known by the alias, “ Tipiggy,” and rioters retaliated violently resulting in Corporal Belmana’s own demise. Collis Hazel, coordinator of the Belmana Riots highlighted the historical significance of the Belmana Riots of 1876. Tashia Burris, Secretary of Tourism Culture Antiquities and Transportation was present in Roxborough where she praised the community of Roxborough for a spectacular production. She further pinpointed that the change in format created a more inclusive atmosphere for all to enjoy.
So further emphasised that while some staple heritage events were not produced this year, an opportunity was created for other Tobago villages to come out of the shadows and enter the limelight. As we approach the culmination of the Tobago Heritage Festival we can agree that this year was full of surprises. The magnificence of the 2024 reenactment of the Belmana Riots of 1876 left many awe-struck. Roxborough surely came back with bang!
