Tunapuna is a town in the East–West Corridor of the island of Trinidad, in Trinidad and Tobago.

Tunapuna
Town
Tunapuna, with Trincity in the background
Tunapuna, with Trincity in the background
Tunapuna is located in Trinidad and Tobago
Tunapuna
Tunapuna
Location in Trinidad
Coordinates: 10°38′N 61°23′W / 10.633°N 61.383°W / 10.633; -61.383
Country Trinidad and Tobago
RegionTunapuna–Piarco
Population
 (2011)
 • Total
26,829
Time zoneUTC-4 (UTC -4)

Town

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Tunapuna is located between St. Augustine, Tacarigua and Trincity. Tunapuna is the largest town between San Juan and Arima.[1] It is an important market[1] and commercial centre, and is the seat of the Tunapuna–Piarco Regional Corporation. The Tunapuna Parliamentary seat is a marginal, hence popular wisdom dictates: "If you win Tunapuna, you win the elections."[1] The only gurdwara (Sikh temple) in Trinidad and Tobago is located in Tunapuna and dates back to some of the first Punjabi Indian immigrants in 1929.[2][3]

Carnival

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For more than one hundred years, Tunapuna has been a Carnival venue. Each year this regional carnival, which is a showcase for traditional and conventional mas, steel band, and stick fighting, is organised by the Tunapuna Carnival Committee.[4]

Notable people

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The renowned writer and scholar C. L. R. James was born and is buried here, and popular 1950s pianist Winifred Atwell was born here. The song Tuna Puna Trinidad was the B-side of a single released by Petula Clark in 1955.[5] Songwriter, composer, writer and director Donald Heywood, best remembered for composing "I'm Coming Virginia" in 1926, which became a hit for Ethel Waters. was born in Tunapuna in 1896.[6] Professional footballer Stern John was born in Tunapuna.

10°38′N 61°23′W / 10.633°N 61.383°W / 10.633; -61.383

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Tunapuna". Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  2. ^ "Sikhism in Trinidad - SikhiWiki, free Sikh encyclopedia".
  3. ^ Sikh Channel (5 March 2019). "Sikh Channel in Trinidad - Episode 01". YouTube.
  4. ^ "Tunapuna Carnival Committee". The National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago. 11 January 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  5. ^ Parsons Zenobio, Laurie; Terry Young; Bonnie Miller. "Petula Clark On Vinyl - The Polygon Years 2011–2012". PetNet. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  6. ^ "Donald Heywood". Radio Swiss Jazz. Retrieved 14 March 2017.