Siparia

Siparia, Trinidad and Tobago

Siparia, village, southwestern Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago, southeastern West Indies. Located 10 miles (16 km) south of the port of San Fernando, it lies in a cacao-growing region near large oil fields. Siparia originated as the site of a Spanish mission, and the village has a Capuchin pilgrimage church, La Divina Pastora (Divine Shepherdess; 1758), which contains a Black Virgin statue surrounded by votive offerings. This statue of the Virgin Mary is venerated by Roman Catholics as well as by Hindus, who see her as a manifestation of the goddess Kali and call the statue Siparee Mai (Mother of Siparia). In May there is an annual festival and procession.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Lorraine Murray.