By Thomas Isaac
Much of the inherent attractiveness of Arima as a destination and residence derives from its unique geographical location. It seems to be just midpoint along the corridor from Chaguaramas to Matura or Sangre Grande, spreading southward from the foot of the Northern Range bounded by two rivers, the Arima and the Mausica, which provide its natural frontiers as well as the water that gives the place its identity.
Unlike so much of northern and central Trinidad, also constituted of rolling plains and flat land, Arima does not flood unless you live too close to the riverbanks. Its natural elevation which the traveler immediately senses while moving east along the Eastern Main Road from the capital, furnishes this peculiar geographical advantage, and makes it ideal for residence or sojourn.
From time immemorial to just about our generation it offered a varied vegetation, from lush tropical forest of the mountainside in the north to the picturesque scrubland of the O'Meara savannah in the south. Its early development therefore made it suitable as a hub for the surrounding plantations of cocoa, coffee, oranges, grapefruit and sugarcane that constituted the island's primary export crops of the early 20th century.
Arima's locational ideality must have been first discovered by the native people themselves. They had in earlier times carved out a footpath from their village across the network of valleys through the Northern range to the coastline and what later became the village of Blanchisseuse. Arima therefore provides one of the few access points to the vast marine and land resources of the North Coast, as well as to the mountains themselves with their rich agricultural soils and mineral deposits.
This major natural highway remains today, still virtually unexplored and unexploited by a society that faces southwards to oil and petroleum products. The Capuchins who came to work for the conversion of the indigenous population, set up one of their first encampments in Arima and even after disappointment and departure, returned to resume the mission's task of evangelisation of the native people, many of whom were already fleeing to remote and virtually inaccessible areas like Caura, Brasso Seco, Paria or Morne La Croix.
There is an exotic Cazabon water colour that depicts Arima's splendid geographical position, portraying a hunting group resting under a majestic tree somewhere on Calvary Hill overlooking the central plains of the island up to Mt Tamana. Somewhere in the foreground stand the spire of the RC Church and the artifacts of an emergent community.
The church's preference for highland would certainly have determined its choice of spot for the erection of the first church building, at the very foot of the mountains. From the church door there was an easy climb of the 14 stations of the cross that terminated at a monastery and convent with a commanding view of the village. The 18th century central square or plaza was laid west of the church and around it were erected the official buildings of early Spanish administration, the home of the Corregidor or alcalde and the administrative quarters, police station and prison and the tapia-walled, thatch-roofed houses of the Carib community around.
Even after the foreboding arrival of strangers and the flight of the indigenous people northward to the security of the foothills, the town plan survived, with the area retaining its pristine historical value and function as the center of traditional Hispano-Carib culture and religion to this day.
The Last 50 Years - The changing face of the Royal Borough
Thomas Isaac
Arima Borough Corporation Jubilee Publication 2012
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