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.

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.

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 cricketer Brian Lara is of Cocoa Payol heritage.

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