Trinidad and Tobago Carnival

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is the event of the year. It is said that if the islanders are not celebrating it then they are preparing for it while reminiscing about the past year's festival. The heart of the musical celebration is the calypso, which developed in spite of British rule with all its Anglicizing zeal and racism. Carnival on Trinidad and Tobago originally had its roots in conservative French aristocracy where masks were donned and social visits ensued. It then grew with African influences from the slaves who added singing, dancing, and music as well as exuberance to Carnival to transform it into what we see today. Carnival is celebrated the week before Ash Wednesday in the season of Lent. Musical competitions make up a large part of Carnival and to win a competition is highly coveted. For example, to be named Calypso Monarch is one of the island's greatest honors, and the competition is aired on television. The instruments used are the drums, claves, and the steelpan, which is a drum that has been hammered down in different areas which create different notes. A group of performers practice weeks in advance on these drums in order to compete and hopefully bring home the top honor. Trinidad and Tobago is very multicultural (Africian, Asian (south and east), European) and all these groups have combined their musical influences to that of Carnival. Spanish influences are also reflected by the immigrants from Venezuela. These cultures and contributions render a sound vastly different from Carnival in Spain, Venice, or even in New Orleans, where Mardi Gras is celebrated.

As with other Carnivals, many participants wear elaborate costumes, often decorated with feathers and sequins. A few specific characters have evolved during the history of Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival. Among these characters are:

Pierrot Grenade - he gives speeches on issues of the day, all in rhyme
Minstrels - black musicians acting as wandering minstrels, wearing white facepaint
Midnight Robber - his grandiose bragging is known as "robber talk," a style which evolved from African Griot storytellers
Jab Jab - a devilish character with horns and a pitchfork
Dame Lorraine - an amply blessed woman dressed as an 18th century French aristocrat

Image:Carnival band.jpg