Thus far we have
been discussing the success of the tourism sector in T&T, ways in which to
improve it, and the benefits and possible negative impacts which may accompany
it. These are all quite pertinent and important topics that are often
overlooked. With that being said, I think it’s time to focus on the ‘positives’
and look at what unique experiences this twin island has to offer.
Let’s begin with
what can be called our most colourful event. It is known as the ‘greatest show
in the world’ that is Trinidad and Tobago Carnival and is also referred to as
the ‘mother of all West Indian carnivals’. It is during this time we see the
highest influx of visitors, the all time record experienced in 2005 at 463,000
arrivals.
The festival
originated hundreds of years ago by followers of the Catholic religion in
Italy, where a celebration entitled ‘Carnevale’ (meaning to put away the meat) was
held right before the Lenten season (fasting period). It was brought to T&T
in 1785 by the French settlers and has since been fused with the influences of
other African, Spanish, Chinese, American Indian and East Indian immigrants.
Today, masqueraders proudly portray their
costumes, excitedly parading for the two-day period in which they ‘party’ their
stress away. The event is heavily accompanied by local entertainment and artistes.
Calypso, soca and steelpan music are intensely enjoyed.
So what are your
thoughts on Carnival? What are your plans for 2016, will you be a masquerader
or probably just a spectator? What more do you think can be done to make the
occasion a bigger, better and more successful one?
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Whoooo, yea now we talking. I LOVE carnival, every year since my first time in Trinidad in 2004 I take time off from work and fly down with my friends. Every year it just seems to be better and better, the best really being 2005. Ohhh an you got to love the fact that you trins have "cooler fet," there is nothing better than buying your own alco and filling up your cooler with as much as you can fit into it and going out. When I told my friends about that in Canada they all thought I was ling until they see the pics and video. Plus I can walk on the street with a beer in my hands in plain sight day or night and its a normal thing....Sweet sweet T&T
ReplyDeleteOhhh yes that guy knows what he is talking about. But apart from the fet the best thing is the carnival itself, there is nothing better than playing in a band in a colorful costume with hundreds of other people all jumping up and dancing to the soca music being played on the music trucks. Just talking about it giving me a "Carnival tabanka." I already have my tickets organised for next year.
ReplyDeleteI am actually not that big of a fan of carnival, but I do love to see all the bands in all of there colours like in those pictures. As for making it better for next year the only thing that comes to my mind is to try and make it safer. The past few years has been really good with little to no incidents, so I guess that the oly thing for me is just for them to keep that up.
ReplyDeleteI have never really taken part in carnival my self an I always say that I should. I mean the best part of carnival is all the women :D
ReplyDeleteYou sir just hit the nail on the head. Girls, girls, girls. Jumping up in the band and thief a wine. I think this is the time of the year the the entire country is the most alive and ready to party. Next year I planning on going every cooler fet it have. I have no idea how I going to be able to do it, but I am going to try.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like everyone is ready for carnival now based on the comments. Like I said carnival Monday and Tuesday is not really for me, but on Wednesday I am going up maracas with everyone else. That is my fun for carnival
ReplyDeleteand I quote (Tweez - Radio 96.1), "T&T Carnival - the greatest show on earth"
ReplyDeleteCarnival to me is the coming together of all cultures an the happiest time of the year when you can release your stress at all the Fetes(Parties), J'Ouvert and on Carnival Monday & Tuesday. As a masquerader for the last 2 years and before that is how I feel.
However, carnival is really an explosion of colour, music, revelry, and creativity, Trinidad's Carnival has spawned similar celebrations around the world like Brazil; but nothing on earth can rival the euphoria and stunning spectacle of our festival.
With regards to what can be done, I think there is a lot. In my opinion the people who really promote Carnival are "Promoters" and the Carnival Band Association of T&T(CBATT) and Copyright Organization of T&T (COTT) butt in and want to reap the benefits.
Every person in T&T know's that every country around the world knows how great our carnival is. But what are we doing to make them come. Our Soca Artistes, Promoters and Mass Bands can only do so much to push it.
I think the Tourism Sector along with COTT & CBATT can work with Carnival Promoters.
But off course, there will always be one greedy entity and we tend to forget that we need to "Invest" to "Reap".
In one of my previous post, I mentioned "social media" and I think this can be used as well to promote our Carnival Brand. In addition, using our greatest resources "people" can help with this. Using our famous people such as Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Brian Lara, Dwight Yorke and to add to that we can even use our President and Prime Minister of T&T (jus saying).
Don't know what more I can say but I will end by saying, if we don't know to work together and use our greatest resources (People, Culture, Music and Technology) we will never grow as a nation.
I love everything about carnival, I have been in a band jumping up for the past 10 years and I not planning on stopping anytime soon. With making it bigger and better I would say to have more fets, cooler, all inclusive, live concerts, wet fets and increase police presence. Although they already do this, I think it always have room to improve.
ReplyDeleteI love the carnival season...it's a time to free up and let loose. it's a celebration of our music and our people. i do believe that it has become more and more of a showcase for lude behaviour but with the good comes the bad. overall i think carnival is a great aspect of T&T's culture.
ReplyDeleteCarnival is truly one of the best times of the year, it gives everyone a time to relax and release stress from their busy schedule. It also is a time for us to showcase our musical and decorative talent that we hav here at home and is always increasing as the years go by. I truly love it and will continue to always be a part of it.
ReplyDelete