Siparia

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.