Evolution of Carnival

Evolution OF Carnival.

Caribbean Carnival is the creative and artistic expression of dispossessed people. The festival dates back to the 18th century, and the influx of French Catholic planters – both white and free coloured – their slaves, and free blacks in the 1780s. The white and free coloured both staged elaborate masquerade balls. The word Carnival is made up of two Latin words, carne, meaning flesh and vale, meaning farewell. In the Catholic calendar carne vale, farewell to flesh is held before the Catholic Lenten season. With each group mimicking the other in their masking and entertainment, the West African slaves of these planters as well as free coloureds had their own masking traditions, and held festivities around the burning and harvesting of the sugar cane (this was known as cannes bruleés, anglicized as Camboulay. For each group, masks and mimicry were an essential part of the ritual.

After the emancipation of slaves in 1838, Camboulay became a symbol of freedom and defiance. In response, the British colonial government outlawed drumming, stickfighting, masquerading, African-derived religions (like those of the Orisa faith and the Spiritual Shouter Baptists or Shango Baptists), and even tried to suppress the steelpan – but was never able to stamp out what has become a hallmark of Trinidadian identity. 

As time progressed the daytime of Carnival Monday and Tuesday was dominated by costumed masqueraders. Until World War II, most of these masqueraders portrayed traditional characters including the Midnight Robber, Police and Thief, Wild Indian, Bat, Jab Molassie, Jab Jab, Red Devil, Blue Devil, and Dame Lorraine. With the presence of US soldiers (due to war) Sailor Mas was added. In the postwar period, individuals gave way to organized bands, which today can include thousands of masqueraders. Peter Minshall is often considered the greatest mas designer. The night is known as J'Ouvert. It is perhaps one of the last modern Carnival festivities that...