Mardi Gras, De Carnival is Over (BdC 21/21)
This series has come to an end, and so has carnival 2012. In Port-of-Spain the police shut down last lap quite early tonight – at 10:30 pm with the stated reason that there were three violent incidents. Hmm. I questioned an inspector about it given that the law that people fought for allows us to fete until midnight. She said they wouldn’t be able to clear the streets in time (insert side-eye here). Nevertheless, that’s all folks. It has been a pleasure to blog de carnaval with you in tow. Look for more posts in the future, although the beads and feathers of Tuesday will not be that abundant in this blog, I’m quite inclined to give a little lagniappe on other things carnival. In the meantime, a little something from the late calypsonian Lord Kitchner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdk4DCyaOLA
Enjoy
L
“J’ouvert baway-o, pa metay la main asou yo”* (BdC 20/21)
3Canal Occupying de Savannah first thing in de morning to wake up de place.
J’ouvert baway-o pa metay la main asou you.
*Title taken from creole line in Trinidadian calpysonian Roaring Lion’s J’ouvert Barrio.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndcyncj0hMc
http://www.amazon.com/Sacred-78s-Roaring-Lion/dp/B000008NYF
http://www.rhapsody.com/artist/etienne-charles/album/kaiso/track/jouvert-barrio
Dimanche Gras: De Hunt is On! (BdC 19.5/21)
Dwayne O’Connor wins calypso monarch competition and MacFarlane’s Queen wins Queen of the Bands 2012.
Panorama 2012 Results: All Stars Takes Prize (BdC 19/21)
Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars scored highest points to win the first prize in Trinidad & Tobago’s Panorama 2012 competition in the large band category with their arrangement of Play Your Self. Phase II Pan Groove came second with their rendition of Archbishop of Pan.
1st All Stars
2nd Phase II
3rd Silver Stars
4th Renegades
5th Exodus
5th Harmonites
7th Invaders
8th Redemption Sound Setters
8th Fonclaire
10th Tropical Angel Harps
11th Siparia Deltones
For more information see http://www.ncctt.org/home/results.html
Kiddies Mas New Images (BdC 18.5)
Here’s a teaser of images to come. The children played mas in their full glory and splendour today. Even if I get fatigued by some tiring themes or superficiality or whatever nonsense in carnival, this is the thing that always brings back my hope, pride and faith in my culture.
Enjoy
L
You can see more at the Studio Lafoncette Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150670586962246.443035.45398357245&type=1 and if you’d like to purchase prints check here within the next 3 weeks or shoot me an email at studiolafoncette.gmail.com
Photo of the Week: Blasts from the Past (BdC 16/21)
Mas is not entirely the domain of Port-of-Spain. Events take place in almost every town in Trinidad & Tobago. Here are some Midnight Robbers in La-Brea, Trinidad circa 1962. If you recognize any of the masqueraders in this photo shoot me an email.
Enjoy
L
Tradition Lives on (BdC 16/21)
Hey folks, I started this blog because I heard too many myths and strange, inaccurate statements about Trinidad carnival. If we don’t tell our own story it will get kidnapped by people for whom it means nothing, who have a different agenda to historical accuracy and a pride in the knowledge of your own heritage. It won’t necessarily happen because people are malicious, but because that’s just how things are. Ask a Trini child (Trini-American, British or whatever) something about Trinidad carnival. Like ask them “What is a Pierrot Grenade?” or “What is kaiso? Why do men dress up in ladies clothes for jouvert? or even “What does the word mas mean and how do you spell it?” You might be surprised and disappointed at how little they know.*
But tradition lives on. Above are two photos of young people playing “Indian” mas. On Wednesday night there were young moko jumbies, young devils and bats and sailors. And today in Port-of-Spain scores of school children, accompanied by parents and teachers, will cover the city in a parade of traditional mas. In most schools across the country today there will be kaiso and mas competitions with a “jump up” and most of the groups performing in Canboulay are populated by youth. So tradition lives on. But that’s enough chatter from me. If you want more words on mas, check out this young African sister’s blog Zee Speaks! - Alternative Perspectives on Black Cultural & Social Issues: An Anti Master Narrative. She has a 2-year-old series dedicated specifically to carnival called Kaiso.
*Answers to those questions and more can be found by clicking on the links above. For additional reading you can check out Rituals of Power and Rebellion: The Carnival Tradition in Trinidad & Tobago 1763 – 1962 by Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool, PhD, or the Trinidad & Tobago National Library System (NALIS).
Enjoy
L
High Tech High Tech! (BdC 15/21)
High tech, high tech! Identifying details have been obscured to protect the innocent (masquerader) 
The National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA) has smart card technology for masqueraders. From what I noticed the masquerader’s card is scanned before they cross the stage and the masquerader waits for a receipt that is generated from another machine after they have passed the judges. High tech mas I say. But I noticed that last night’s event started 2 hours late because they didn’t have a sound system. That might be human error rather than lack of technology. But someone said the cards analogous to investing in Viagra technology when yuh don’t know about penicillin, or getting braces when yuh mouth full of cavities. That’s what happens sometimes when you give a child plenty money. Ah done! And the soundtrack for this post’s title?*
Enjoy
L
*If your not a family member**, and you can email me an answer to why that’s the soundtrack for this title, I’ll award you an 8 x 10″ matted print of any carnival image you choose. First one to email an answer before Ash Wednesday wins.
** Rules:
Family members of this blog’s author are not permitted to enter.
Winner consent’s to her/his image being used to announce prize in a subsequent blog post.
Open to anyone where free contests of this sort are permitted by law.
No purchase necessary to enter.
Baby Doll (BdC 14/21)
Last night was the Traditional Carnival Characters competition at Victoria Square. This masquerader portrayed Baby Doll. The baby doll character originated as a social commentary on privileged men (often European) having born children with women of African descent and never claiming those children, essentially abandoning them. The masquerader would dress in a baby doll dress, or dress as a woman and carry a light-skinned doll, approaching men in the streets and asking (if portraying the baby), “You is my father?”. It eventually evolved to any man who had abdicated his responsibilities, and the masquerader would walk up and say something accusing the alleged father of being very available up to when the child was conceived, but failing to appear or provide support once a baby was in the picture. It was intended to bring light to a societal problem and to embarrass the bourgeois and men in general and is still portrayed with humor and a serious, compelling message.
More to come.
Junior Calypso Monarch (BdC 13/21)
Aaron Duncan wins again
Jr. Calypso Monarch 2012 Aaron Duncan talking to the press
Jeromy Rodriguez, placed 6th and sang “Hear My Cry”
Allaysha Sylvan whose song, “Know Your Worth”, had the very compelling lines, “You are more than breasts and lips. You are more than legs and hips… Know your worth inside, young girl conduct yourself with pride.”
At the Queen’s Park Savannah 16 youth competed in the finals of the Junior Calypso Monarch competition today on topics ranging from abstinence, to patriotism, to comedic entries on learning from the internet. Eight-year-old Aaron Duncan won the title for the third time. There were a host of very good calypsonians, with meaningful compositions and solid performances. It’s really refreshing to see the youth perform. Many adults made this possible, preparing costumes, props, rehearsals, writing lyrics, countless trips to and from competitions. The young people showed great sportsmanship when results were announced although there was lots of surprise and disappointment.
Enjoy
L
Roots & Wings Exhibit (BdC 12/21)
If you’re in the vicinity of London or Brighton, UK check out Roots & Wings, an exhibit that runs at the Hawth in Crawley, England from tomorrow, February 13 until February 24. Here’s a link to info about the exhibit. http://www.urbanflo.com/rootsandwings-exhibition.php. And if you miss it, the exhibit will be a part of Brighton Photo Fringe Caribbean on show in Barbados from March 23 to April 5.
And if that doesn’t work for you, well we’ll just have to figure something out for Trinidad or the US won’t we.
Enjoy
L
The People’s Competition BdC 11/21
Benjai performing “Trini” at Calypso Fiesta, 2011
Crowd at Calypso Fiesta – Calypso Monarch Semi-finals, 2010
Today is the Calypso Fiesta. The semi-final round of the calypso monarch competition. Held at Skinner’s Park, in San Fernando, southern Trinidad, it is a raucous, buoyant proving ground for those who dare to call themselves calypsonian. Be prepared to be toilet papered off the stage Sandman style if you’re just not good enough. Joanie will raise her umbrella with a roll on top and so goes the crowd. Only one calpysonian has been known to overcome this barrage of boos – Denyse Plummer. The ten best will make it to “The Big Yard.”
Enjoy
L
Photo of the Week 6/52: Blasts from the Past (BdC 10/21) Charlie’s Roots
*See update note below.
De music truck.
Not too long ago it was the norm to have at least two music trucks replete with live bands in any large or even medium band for carnival. By bands I mean a group of musicians and professional singers, maybe even a back-up singer or two, and horns. Larger bands would have at least two live bands, a couple DJ trucks and even a truck dedicated to a rhythm section or tassa drummers. There weren’t any drink or food trucks and definitely not porta-john trucks that appear to now be mandatory with the all-inclusive bands. Independent vendors made more money, and there was a sense that carnival was more inclusive. That not too long ago was as recent as 2002. Pictured above, the legendary David Rudder and Charlie’s Roots accompanying Peter Minshall’s 2002 presentation Picolpat leaving the stage at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Carnival Tuesday.
Enjoy
L
*I’ve been asked to differentiate between a carnival mas band and a music band. In Trinidad a group of people in costume under one organized theme, perhaps in various sections, with the same leadership committee, initiating point etc. is referred to as a band. In Panama they’re called a comparsa, in New Orleans they’re sometimes referred to as a troupe. So every mas band is generally accompanied by a music band and/or DJ. Back in the day it would predominantly be steelbands, and before that, “pan around the neck.” But that’s all for another post. 
L
Red Cross Kiddies Carnival (BdC 9/21)
This Saturday the Trinidad & Tobago Red Cross Society will host their children’s carnival competition. Every year it marks the speeding up of the pace of carnival activities as the number of weekend and week day activities begins to intensify. Two weeks before Carnival Monday, children compete in various categories including couples, floats, age groups and large, small and medium bands.
Enjoy
L
Teaching Themes with Mas (BdC 8/21)
Two youth masqueraders in different depictions of Papa Bois, mythical father of the forest from Trinidad folklore
I heard an interview with a Trinidadian jazz musician who said that before there was modern-day environmentalism as we know it, there was Papa Bois (papa bwa). Among the folklore of Trinidad and Tobago there is a figure called Papa Bois, which is French for Father Forest. Papa Bois is the protector of the forest who is half man, half cloven foot animal. He walks around with a cane and protects the animals from poachers and other maladies that may befall them. I don’t remember this, but the musician said that as a child he remembered being told if you littered Papa Bois would get you, and that was how we learnt to protect and care for our environment.
Junior Kings & Queens (Bdc 7/21)
Junior Queen of Carnival 2010, Denisha Jennings, A Splash of Blue, and Junior King of Carnival 2010, Matthew Barnes, A Sting in the Sandstorm
Kiddies Carnival BdC (6/21)
The youth are a large part of continuing the mas legacy. Thousands of children participate in carnival through private and government sponsored parades and competitions from at least 5 weekends before carnival. Carnival is also a part of the national school curriculum. Many of the young people participating in the Junior Calypso Monarch and Junior Soca Monarch competitions get help with writing and preparation from dedicated teachers. On the Friday before carnival most schools have a “jump up” complete with DJ, costumes, “ole mas” and “pretty mas”, calypso and queen/king competitions. Carnival is a multi-generational thing.
Ole Mas (BdC 5/21)
Ole mas is the term used for mas/ costumes created with used materials, most often things found around the house. More important than the environmentalism is that ole mas is about social and political commentary. The costumes generally come with a placard as well with the statement that the person portraying the mas wants to convey, and are most often seen at jouvert. The better ones leave you laughing heartily, and thinking. As often found in carnival, international events are caught up in the mix. For instance, for carnival 1999 there were quite a few blue dress-political scandal themed-portrayals among them, and in 2001 there were several anthrax invasion bands.
Pan and Fete in the Air (BdC 4/21)
Tenors, Nalo Safi Thomas and Dane Gulston, members of the Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars, showing how it’s done at the Panorama finals, 2009
Tomorrow is the semi-final round of the National Panorama competition. Way too many bands will compete for the 8 to 10 slots into the finals. Let’s see how many surprises and side eyes there are at the end of the day.
Photo of the Week 5/52 (BdC 3/21): Blasts from the Past
Curtis Eustace, King of Carnival 2000 in his portrayal of De Rough Rider, from Barbarosa’s presentation, Xtassy
I’ve been shooting and archiving carnival photos for a long time and I decided to share a blast from the past with you. Curtis Eustace is a well known name in carnival winning circles. He has won the Trinidad & Tobago King of Carnival prize 9 times including 1997, 1998, 2000 (pictured above), 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, and his 9th title, surpassing veteran mas man, Peter Samuel’s record, in 2010. I shot this with a Nikon N65 35mm SLR camera using ISO 800 film and camera flash, edited (minor retouching and cropping) in Adobe Photoshop.
Enjoy
L
Tamboo Bamboo (BdC 2/21)
A tamboo bamboo band at Canboulay Riots Re-enactment
As with many African traditions, drumming was outlawed in the colonies of the West Indies*. However, Africans found ways to adapt, including inventing the steelpan and the tamboo bamboo – a percussive instrument fashioned by hollowing out different lengths of bamboo, which were then hit on the ground or with sticks. These were used for traditional and non-traditional beats, and are considered one of the precursors to steelpan. Makes me think of the bucket bands often seen in DC. Lesson for today folks: you know what they say about necessity right. 2. We are more similar than we sometimes like to think.
Enjoy
L
*I use West Indies to refer to the islands colonized by the British (and sometimes French, Spanish and Dutch) in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries to identify a group of countries that share language and many administrative and historical traditions. However, I prefer the term Caribbean myself.
Welcome to Blogging de Carnaval 2012 (1/21)
A young Pierrot Grenade on Carnival Saturday 2011 in the NCC Kiddies Carnival Parade
This image and others are available for purchase in various sizes including 8×10″, 11×14″ or 16×20″ prints, framed or unframed.
Iya Louise Brown Clarke talks to a child in her band, Faces of Orisa and Egungun.
Yuh say ah fuhget yuh eh. But nah, dat wouldn’t happen. Never. Not you, not my heritage, not my personal obligation to blog about an important aspect of my heritage. So today we will open the way, as is always expected in African culture, with my cyber libation (ah know yuh like it, go ahead, use it if yuh want ) (I have the oldest elder’s permission, trust me).
I give honor, praise and thanks to the ancestors, the ones known and unknown, especially my own personal mas man, EGR, and very importantly, my own personal photographer/inspirer/dreamer/ namer ETF. I give honor, praise and thanks to those millions of Africans, enslaved and brought to the “Americas” who carried their stories in their blood, in their minds and hearts. I give thanks to the spirit of survival, the tenacity and audacity of all those who made it so I could know about my heritage and exist in this world today. I humbly invite you to join me as we open the way. Welcome to Blogging de Carnival 2012.
Here is video of a dance to Elegba. I’m including it because Elegba (or Legba, Elegua, Legwa) in the Yoruba pantheon of Ifa, is the orisha associated with opening the way. And these folks remind me of a band crossing the stage at Queens Park Savannah on Carnival Tuesday. Last year my friends and I met a notable Trinidadian television writer/ actor who said we carry the history of our ancestors in our bodies, in our movement, and it’s fascinating to see it passed on by people of all different ethnic groups, especially during carnival. A day after he said that, I saw an Indian woman giving a man a good wine by a rum shop on Carnival Tuesday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2icyoICx18
Enjoy (and subscribe, share and comment away)!
L
And remember:
“Se wo were fi na wosan kofa a yenki.”
Literally translated it means “it is not taboo to go back and fetch what you forgot”.
