A New Bill to remove Christopher Columbus ships from Trinidad and Tobago’s coat of arms and replace them with the Steelpan has passed with unanimous support.
The National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Amendment) Bill, 2025 passed with unanimous support of the government and the opposition in the Lower House late on Monday night.
The law will see Columbus’ three ships—Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria— replaced on the Coat of Arms with the Steelpan- which is national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago.
The bill’s Clause 4 introduces the “gold Steelpan and its iconic two pan sticks” into the Coat of Arms.
Clause 5 ensures licences issued under the current act remain valid, with the former emblem allowed until 1 January 2026.
Renowned designer and jeweller Gillian Bishop will design the new Coat of Arms for the twin-island nation.
‘Time for change’
Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Keith Rowley made the announcement of the historic changes at a special People’s National Movement convention in August 2024.
The PM stated that the three Columbus ships on the twin-island nation’s emblem is “substantial in how we see ourselves” and it is now time for change.
“You see them three Columbus ships in the emblem? They will go” said Rowley. “Since we have enough votes in Parliament to do it, I could announce now that as soon as the legislative adjustment is made—and that adjustment should be made before the 24th of September—we then over a six-month period will replace Columbus’ three ships, the Santa Maria, the Pinta, and the Niña, with the steelpan,” Mr Rowley said, as the audience clapped and cheered.
‘Colonial vestiges’
“And for logistical purposes, that will take place over a six-month period, allowing us to consume the stationery and other things we have in place and be replaced by our new intention and that should signal that we are on our way to removing the colonial vestiges that we have in our constitution and I hope that we start with that and we end up getting up and no longer being squatters on the steps of the Privy Council,” he added.
The Steelpan proudly traces its roots back to Trinidad and Tobago and was invented in the 1930s and 1940s in the Hills of Laventille, in Port of Spain.
The Steelpan is the only new instrument invented in the 20th century.
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