Stalwarts behind regional Carnival across the country vow they will do all that is necessary to keep traditional mas alive in rural communities despite the dip in funding and lack of interest from the younger generation.
Although the weeks of hype and pomp culminate on Carnival Monday and Tuesday (February 8 and 9) with the main stage revelry downtown of the capital city of Port-of-Spain, for the thousands who have never ventured into the city, their main stage jump-up is equally anticipated.
Regional carnival has been the main affair for residents of 57 different communities across the country for many years, but when oil prices dipped, the National Carnival Commission’s (NCC)’s budget also took a hit and so did community carnival events.
Of the $314 million allocated last year to the NCC, a mere $9.5 million was allotted to regional carnival and of the $270 million allocated for 2016, $8.5 million was apportioned to regional carnival bodies.
Despite the million-dollar cutback, chairman of the NCC Kenneth De Silva said people have been very receptive to the economic situation.
“I think we have a very educated population and I think we short sell them. They understand the realities of where gas is, where oil is and even where the production level is of both gas and oil. It will put T&T in some financial difficulties which will affect not only this year but some years to come. It can't be business as usual. It will not be intelligent to think it will be the same as it was yesterday, today.”
When cheques were distributed to regional carnival organisations on January 8, some regional bodies in Cumana, Petit Valley and Maraval got as little as $50,000 and others in Carapichiama, Couva and Mayaro got as high as $300,000 to fund their various carnival events.
Keeping the culture alive
More than one NCC official has admitted that regional Carnival is significant for its ability to represent and paint a historical picture of the festival.
Chairman De Silva told the GML Enterprise Desk that regional Carnival played a very important role in keeping T&T history and culture alive with characters like the Midnight Robbers, Sailors, Chief Indians, the various Devil mas and elements such as Stickfighting and Canboulay re-enactments.
However, he expressed some concern that these foundational characters and traditions were dwindling away in the national showcase in Port-of-Spain.
“Regional Carnival is extremely important, it preserves what we know as Carnival for many years. The traditions of Carnival, there exists a creativity. I would love to see more traditional mas in Downtown Carnival but we have gone to more skin [though] sure that has its role also,” said De Silva.
In San Fernando, one of South Trinidad’s veteran mas makers, Jaqui Koon How, has been vibrantly involved in fashion and mas for 50 years now.
Designing and portraying a mix of traditional and modern pretty mas, Koon How is especially known for her representations in both Marabella and San Fernando.
She said it was crucial not just create to mas, but to teach members about the meaning of each piece and its historical significance in order to keep traditions alive.
“I realise now staying in South you don't miss it, because we have fun, we are with our own and our mas is up to standard; there is nothing inferior about south mas. You have both schools, you have the people who really enjoy the traditional mas, from the young to middle aged to the old. You have to know where you came from to know where you heading, so the traditional mas is always important.”
Koon How said she understood that the economic turmoil would affect participation in festivities for at least 2016, but it would not stop the show.
Give us small state contracts
In the second largest city of San Fernando, which falls under the regional subsection of the NCC, its allocation for the mas comes from the pool of the $8.5 million grant.
On the outskirts of San Fernando is Marabella, and president of the Marabella Festival Council, Allen Campbelle, said they have been struggling to put out their Kiddies and Monday Night events in recent years.
He said sponsorship was harder to come by as businesses were less generous and with a cut to the subvention this year he feared they would be struggling even more.
Campbelle wrote to the Minister of Community, Culture and the Arts Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly in November 2015, proposing a plan he believes could see regional bodies become “self-reliant” and eventually financially capable of sponsoring their own events.
He suggested that community groups be offered a small number of medium-sized government contracts which could help fund community events. Campbelle suggested contracts such as school cleaning and maintenance, cutting and maintenance of public parks and grounds could be farmed out within the community.
“There are a number of benefits that can be achieved including the financial savings from not only culture but also sports and education ministries since there will be a significant reduction in the allocations given to these community-based organisations.”
To date, Campbelle has not received feedback on his letter.
Biche struggling to survive
Kelly Ramdass has been playing traditional mas in his hometown of Biche, in East Trinidad, since he was eight years old and 55 years later he is still passionate about the culture, but has grown extremely concerned over its future.
“Soon it won't have anything because the youths, they are not learning, it have no one to show them.”
The small eastern village nestled centrally between Sangre Grande and Rio Claro hosts a Sunday Kiddies spectacle, J’ouvert, Monday night, calypso competition and a Tuesday parade of the bands.
Their NCC allocation remained the same as for 2015 and president of the Biche community development committee, Aldwyn Harris, said most businesses assisted each year.
Harris admits, traditional Carnival is carried on by only a few in his community.
“Most of the young people, they not into this traditional mas, is mostly like the older folks you will get playing traditional mas. Most young people now they like the beads, the bikini and beads,” he said, chuckling.
Although traditional mas has been fading away gradually in Port-of-Spain, communities like Biche, Marabella and 55 other communities—even amid economic challenges—continue to do much toward its revitalisation and preservation year after year.