What is Carnival?
With its masquerade bands, stunning costumes, pulsating music and matchless stamina for partying, Trinidad & Tobago’s Carnival is the world’s greatest street festival.
Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago has evolved over 200 years from a celebration enjoyed exclusively by French plantation owners, to an enormous event that equally embraces people of every colour, creed, class and background.
The parties start on Boxing Day and during the post Christmas period calypso tents and cultural shows - from Limbo competitions to massive soca concerts - open their doors. Unique aspects of Carnival include Panorama, Kings and Queens Costume Competition, J’Ouvert and Masquerade Band of the Year.
What are the major Carnival events?
Panorama
The first Panorama was held in 1963 and the preliminary contests for this annual competition are now hosted by each region (North, South, Central and Tobago) in the weeks leading up to Carnival. Held the Saturday before Carnival at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Panorama finals are the ultimate test of a steelband’s skill and selected bands compete before thousands of spectators.
Kings and Queens Costume Competition
The leaders of masquerade bands, King and Queen costumes typically weigh between 50 – 200 lbs, and depict colourful themes from nature to fantasy dreamscapes. Costumes are enhanced with lasers, fog, light shows, fireworks and sound effects.
Dimanche Gras
A massive cultural show, Dimanche Gras is held the Sunday night before Carnival at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.
Mas, steelpan, calypso and soca music are showcased at the event, which features the Calypso Monarch competition in which 10 to 12 calypso singers battle in song.
J’Ouvert
The official start of Carnival, J’Ouvert takes place before dawn on Carnival Monday and bands of revellers dressed in old clothes cover themselves in oil, grease, paint, chocolate or mud and dance through the streets till the sun comes up.
Carnival Monday and Tuesday
Masquerade bands consisting of thousands of people ‘jumping up’ (dancing) in glittery, colourful and often revealing costumes rule the streets on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. Each band has its own historical, mythological or tropical concept with various sections depicting aspects of the main theme.
Mas
The costumes worn by masqueraders on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, these costumes can be simple or elaborate in design.
Calypso
Originating in Trinidad and Tobago, calypso music or kaiso is characterized by social or political commentary and/or satirical lyrics sung to ballad style rhythms.
Soca
Derived from calypso, soca’s fast beats and saucy lyrics provide the soundtrack to Carnival. Many of the lyrics are instructional in format e.g.; “Jump and wave”.
Fetes
These parties can be large or small and during the Carnival season feature live performances from soca musicians, with popular fetes attracting massive crowds.
Extempo
A type of calypso where rival performers must quickly improvise entertaining lyrics, based on a given subject, before a live audience. Performers are judged on wit and lyrical ingenuity.
Chutney
Originating in Trinidad and Tobago, the infectious rhythms of chutney music is derived from a combination of traditional Indian folk songs, soca and Bollywood tunes. Lyrics are sung in Hindi and/or English.
Chutney Brass
Chutney Brass is a massive musical event attracting lovers of chutney music with performances from top chutney bands. Each bands’ repertoire must be no less than 60 per cent chutney music.
Brass
The term “brass” refers to brass bands, but it is also used to describe massive concert type events such as the Caribbean Brass Festival and the iconic Brass Festival, which feature performances from top brass bands.
All-Inclusive Fete
All-Inclusive Fetes are parties where the cost of food and drink (including alcohol) are incorporated into the ticket price.
Bomb Competitions
Usually staged during J'ouvert celebrations on Carnival Monday, the popular Bomb competitions for steelbands refer to European, American and other non-calypso music performed in a calypso style arrangement.
Where can I purchase a steelpan?
Steelpans are available for purchase in Port of Spain at the following outlets:
Panland Trinidad and Tobago
Corner Eastern Main Road & Dorata Street
Laventille
(868) 627-0185
Panland specialises in brightly coloured powder coated steelpans. Small souvenir steelpans start at US$58 or TT$350 prices for an authentic professional instrument start at TT$4,000.
Simon’s Music Supplies
59 St Vincent Street, Port of Spain
(868) 625-6412
A double chrome tenor pan at Simons Music Supplies will cost TT$4,250. You can also purchases cases (TT$695) and collapsible stands (TT$895) at the store.
Where can I find party (fete) information?
See the TDC Carnival Calendar of Events flier or visit www.gotrinidadandtobago.com
