The Cocoa Payols are a Hispanic ethnic group in Trinidad and Tobago. The name comes from the Patois word for Spanish, espagnol, and reflects the historical association between the group and the cultivation of cacao in Trinidad. Hispanic, as used in the United States, is one of several terms used to categorize native and naturalized U.S. citizens, permanent residents and temporary immigrants, whose background hail either from Spain, the Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America or the original settlers of the traditionally Spanish-held Southwestern United... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Binomial name Theobroma cacao L. Cacao (Theobroma cacao) is a small (4-8 m tall) evergreen tree in the family Sterculiaceae, native to tropical South America, but now cultivated throughout the tropics. ... Trinidad (Spanish, Trinity) most commonly refers to the larger island of the nation Trinidad and Tobago, the subject of this article. ...

The Spanish community in Trinidad originated in the late sixteenth century (see History of Trinidad and Tobago). After the island fell under British control in 1797, Venezuelans continued to settle in Trinidad, usually in connection with the civil wars and revolutions which followed the Bolivarian revolution. The rise of cocoa cultivation in Trinidad was largely achieved through the importation of Venezuelan peasant farmers. These farmers were employed to clear forest and establish cocoa seedlings. After five or seven years they were paid for each mature cocoa tree on the plot of land. They then moved on to a new plot of land. They are also credited with establishing parang in Trinidad. Human settlement in Trinidad dates back at least 7000 years. ... 1797 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios (July 24, 1783 – December 17, 1830) was a South American revolutionary leader. ... Parang is a style of music played in Trinidad and Tobago during the Christmas season. ...

Cocoa Payols were most prevalent in the cacao-growing areas of the Northern Range (especially Caura, and later Lopinot) and the Central Range (especially the Montserrat and Tortuga districts). Relocation of the village of Caura for the planned Caura Dam (which was never constructed) led to a major disruption of Cocoa Payol society. Many families re-located to the Lopinot Valley, but others moved into urban areas and were absorbed into the mainstream of Trinidadian life. Since intermarriage between Cocoa Payols and Indo-Trinidadians was seen as more acceptable than intermarriage between Indo-Trinidadians and Afro-Trinidadians, many Cocoa Payols merged into the Indo-Trinidadian population, especially in rural areas. In modern multi-ethnic Trinidadian society the Cocoa Payols are sometimes seen as a vanishing minority. The Northern Range is the range of tall hills across the northern portion of Trinidad, the major island in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. ... Indo-Trinidadians are people of South Asian descent who are citizens or nationals of Trinidad and Tobago. ... Afro-Trinidadian refers to people of African descent who are citizens or nationals of Trinidad and Tobago. ...

The cricketer Brian Lara is of Cocoa Payol heritage. For more coverage of cricket, go to the Cricket Portal. ... Brian Charles Lara (born May 2, 1969) is an outstanding West Indian cricketer. ...

The term Spanish is sometimes used synonymously with Cocoa Payol, but may also be used for Venezuelans of Colombians.

References

• The Cocoa Panyols of Trinidad : An Oral Record - Sylvia Moodie-Kublalsingh ISBN 1850436606