People from around the globe are lured to the streets of Trinidad and Tobago during the Carnival season with the promise of cultural immersion as revelers in any of the many carnival bands or spectators of the occasion. Live concerts stretching over a month before the official two days of Carnival allows one to become familiar with the popular Soca music and the trinbagonian pastime of ‘wining’. It is the singular event where euphoria and bacchanalia converges and explodes into music‚ color and freedom.
Fete ’Til You Drop
French Plantation owners brought carnival to the Caribbean during slavery. As such terminology such as Fete‚ J’ouvert‚ Mas (short for Masquerade) and Canboulay (correctly called cannes brulee) are still used in Trinidad & Tobago Carnival celebrations. Lewd dancing and general boisterous behavior also characterized early celebrations and is still the modus operandi today.
Fete is the term that locals use for the live band Carnival concerts where all the well-known Soca artistes perform and entertain patrons. It is the ample opportunity for artistes to get their songs heard with the added bonus of becoming viable for the coveted Road March Title. This is the title given to the Soca song that is played the most number of times on the road for Carnivals Monday and Tuesday.
The cost of Fete tickets range from US$25 to US$150. Carnival Fetes that are more costly are called all-inclusive and free drinks and food is provided. Some Fetes are advertised as all inclusive but really have all-inclusive corralled sections within the arena. When purchasing tickets for Fetes one should read advertisements carefully and ask for further information to clarify any confusion.
Monday Morning J’ouvert
J’ouvert is a pre-dawn celebration that takes place on Carnival Monday and is dubbed dirty mas by the locals. This celebration is known for its mud bands where revelers cream their entire body with mud in place of actual costumes. Revelers bearing buckets of mud often target spectators for mischievous mud pastings. Other costumes usually depict local or foreign politicians‚ personalities and most often brassy interpretations of events and issues such as HIV/AIDS or Sex and Sexuality.
Despite the chaotic nature of the J’ouvert judging does take place and prizes are given for individual costume depiction‚ mud bands and a pretty mas bands. A small performance of the Canboulay re enactment is also done. Bottle and spoon rhythm sections a highlight of earlier Carnival celebrations before the advent of music trucks also grace the streets.
J’ouvert takes place in various towns and cities around both islands. The largest performance takes place in the capital city of Port-of-Spain. Unlike the smaller towns and cities there are covered platforms with seating to facilitate spectators. Tickets must be purchased to enter these platforms.
Playing Mas In Trinidad & Tobago
Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago‚ hailed as the Greatest Show on Earth‚ is noted for its extravagant street parade. Playing Mas‚ the term used by the locals for taking part in the masquerade‚ is open to anyone who can purchase a ‘barely there’ beaded and feathered costume from any of the many Carnival bands.
Although carnival costumes can be costly bandleaders usually supply their masqueraders with a music truck‚ portable toilet truck and sometimes air-conditioned buses to cool down during the two days of parade. In most cases breakfast and lunch is provided as well as free drinks and water throughout the day. All bands have full security to facilitate every need of the masquerader.
Kiddies bands are also available for the little ones but this parade precedes the adult mas taking place on Carnivals Saturday and Sunday. Carnival costumes for children vary by band from the very reasonable to the extremely costly. Though not equipped with the luxuries of the adult mas Kiddies Carnival tends to be far more entertaining for the spectator as there is a greater variety of creativity in the costumes.
Carnival is freedom is the popular saying in Trinidad & Tobago. It is the freedom to embrace the beauty of creativity‚ to dance like no one is watching. To experience what it feels like when the lines of prejudice become shattered by the spirit of Carnival.
Fete ’Til You Drop
French Plantation owners brought carnival to the Caribbean during slavery. As such terminology such as Fete‚ J’ouvert‚ Mas (short for Masquerade) and Canboulay (correctly called cannes brulee) are still used in Trinidad & Tobago Carnival celebrations. Lewd dancing and general boisterous behavior also characterized early celebrations and is still the modus operandi today.
Fete is the term that locals use for the live band Carnival concerts where all the well-known Soca artistes perform and entertain patrons. It is the ample opportunity for artistes to get their songs heard with the added bonus of becoming viable for the coveted Road March Title. This is the title given to the Soca song that is played the most number of times on the road for Carnivals Monday and Tuesday.
The cost of Fete tickets range from US$25 to US$150. Carnival Fetes that are more costly are called all-inclusive and free drinks and food is provided. Some Fetes are advertised as all inclusive but really have all-inclusive corralled sections within the arena. When purchasing tickets for Fetes one should read advertisements carefully and ask for further information to clarify any confusion.
Monday Morning J’ouvert
J’ouvert is a pre-dawn celebration that takes place on Carnival Monday and is dubbed dirty mas by the locals. This celebration is known for its mud bands where revelers cream their entire body with mud in place of actual costumes. Revelers bearing buckets of mud often target spectators for mischievous mud pastings. Other costumes usually depict local or foreign politicians‚ personalities and most often brassy interpretations of events and issues such as HIV/AIDS or Sex and Sexuality.
Despite the chaotic nature of the J’ouvert judging does take place and prizes are given for individual costume depiction‚ mud bands and a pretty mas bands. A small performance of the Canboulay re enactment is also done. Bottle and spoon rhythm sections a highlight of earlier Carnival celebrations before the advent of music trucks also grace the streets.
J’ouvert takes place in various towns and cities around both islands. The largest performance takes place in the capital city of Port-of-Spain. Unlike the smaller towns and cities there are covered platforms with seating to facilitate spectators. Tickets must be purchased to enter these platforms.
Playing Mas In Trinidad & Tobago
Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago‚ hailed as the Greatest Show on Earth‚ is noted for its extravagant street parade. Playing Mas‚ the term used by the locals for taking part in the masquerade‚ is open to anyone who can purchase a ‘barely there’ beaded and feathered costume from any of the many Carnival bands.
Although carnival costumes can be costly bandleaders usually supply their masqueraders with a music truck‚ portable toilet truck and sometimes air-conditioned buses to cool down during the two days of parade. In most cases breakfast and lunch is provided as well as free drinks and water throughout the day. All bands have full security to facilitate every need of the masquerader.
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Kiddies bands are also available for the little ones but this parade precedes the adult mas taking place on Carnivals Saturday and Sunday. Carnival costumes for children vary by band from the very reasonable to the extremely costly. Though not equipped with the luxuries of the adult mas Kiddies Carnival tends to be far more entertaining for the spectator as there is a greater variety of creativity in the costumes.
Carnival is freedom is the popular saying in Trinidad & Tobago. It is the freedom to embrace the beauty of creativity‚ to dance like no one is watching. To experience what it feels like when the lines of prejudice become shattered by the spirit of Carnival.