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Get ICQ for FreeCarnival in Trinidad and Tobago has been called the greatest show on earth because there is little that can compare to the experience. Trinidad's Carnival is far more that a simple two days of masquerading through the streets. Rather, it is a season in and of itself. Although the actual masquerading takes place on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, from as early as January 1st, the season is underway and people throughout the island are preparing. During this time the artistes are recording their songs, hundreds of pannists are getting ready for competing amongst themselves, and costumes by the thousands are being put together. And, of course, the parties and all-inclusive fetes have begun.. Trinidad Carnival exists for you to experience and for those who take the plunge, it is not something that will ever be forgotten.
Beginning on the Friday night before Ash Wednesday, there is the parade of the Carnival Kings and Queens who will compete for King and Queen of the Year, and one of my favourites, the Extempo competition, where nine of the best Calypsonians meet the defending champion create their songs on the spot and sing off against one another in order to decide on the year's Calypso Monarch.
On Saturday, the Kiddies' Carnival celebrations can be experienced throughout Port of Spain. This is truly a sight to behold as the youngsters really get into the Carnival spirit!!
The celebrations continue on the Sunday night with J'Ouvert, which takes us back to the origins of Carnival by portraying various "Ole Mas" characters. Fair warning, if you don't care to get a little dirty, this might be one to avoid as people tend to play in mud bands, oil bands, or bands in various paint colours. Carnival Monday and Carnival Tuesday are where "Pretty Mas" can be experienced with all the bands competeing against one another for several titles. It is a riot of colour, sounds and movement.
During the three days of celebration, from the Sunday, large trucks carrying bands playing the most popular calypsos and soca music, or steel pan orchestras accompany the masqueraders through the streets. People from all over the world pour into Trinidad at this time of year to listen to the music, dance, drink and generally enjoy our peculiar madness. :)
Calypso - Calypso, as an art form, seems to have sprung from the 'chanteuelles', whose music precedes the Carnival bands of the last century, with songs parodying the issues and gossips of the day. There are always Calypso tents to be visited as the Calypsonians practice their art. Nowhere will you get closer to the soul of Trinis than here!!
Carnival - The nationally organized celebration of competitive, costumed street-dancing, Calypso-singing, etc. held usually just before Ash Wednesday.
Dimanche Gras - Festivities including the Calypso Monarch competition, and the King and Queen of Carnival costume competion.
J'Ouvert - J'Ouvert is a contraction of the French 'jour ouvert' which means 'day open'. It is the beginning of the Carnival masquerading before dawn on Monday morning. It tends to begin at about 5 a.m. with the ole mas bands jumpin' up to the steel-band music and calypsos.
Live Music/Fetes- From January onwards, the parties never stop. There are all-inclusive fetes throughout the season where live bands perform and the people dance until they drop.
Kings and Queens - At the peak of the creativity that goes into this celebration are the kings and queens, the large individual costumes for each band. These are laboured over with breath-taking results.
Mas Camps - Carnival is not merely a spectator event. To experience it fully, it is necessary to play in a band. Each band will have the current costumes on display at their Mas Camp where the costumes are designed and can by purchased.
Panyards - The larger steelbands can be visited as the pannists practice for their upcoming competitions.
Soca - A dance tune with an accompanying song, the beat of which combines Black American soul music with Trinidadian calypso; it emerged in Trinidad during the 1978 Carnival.
Wining - Erotic or provacative dancing of an individual, encorporating vigourous swinging or gyrating of the hips.
The prescription for a quick recovery from the Carnival celebrations is relaxing on a quiet beach and soaking up as much sea and sun as possible. This is a very soothing way to allow yourself to recover from the strenuous workout Carnival places on your body. There are many beaches between the two islands that are conducive to this necessary relaxation after the last few hectic days.
A list of upcoming Carnivals so you can plan your vacation early! *laugh*
2004 23rd and 24th February
2005 7th and 8th February
2006 27th and 28th February
2007 19th and 20th February
2008 4th and 5th February
2001 23rd and 24th February
