Trinidad and Tobago Carnival

February
Port of Spain
Tel. : (868) 675-7034/5/6/7
Fax : (868) 675-7722
Genre : Festival
Principal country concerned : Column : Theater, Dance, History/society

For the fun loving people who live in these sun kissed isles, Carnival begins in earnest on Boxing Day when the fetes (parties) begin non-stop until Carnival Sunday.

It is during this post Christmas period that calypso tents open their doors to the public and cultural shows, from Limbo competitions to massive soca concerts, begin.

An explosion of colour, music, revelry, and creativity,'s Carnival has spawned similar celebrations around the world; but nothing on earth can rival the abandon, euphoria and stunning spectacle of our festival.

Trinidad & Tobago's festival also has distinctive components, such as Panorama, Kings and Queens Costume Competition, J'Ouvert and Masquerade Band of the Year.

Continually evolving and growing, Carnival 2008 will be bigger and brighter with several improvements to the parade route and event venues.


Major Carnival Events include


Panorama

Created in 1963, Panorama is the annual competition for steel pan bands. Preliminary contests are hosted at panyards throughout the country during the six weeks leading up to Carnival. Panorama finals are the ultimate test of musical skill. Representing the best of the best, selected bands compete before judges and thousands of spectators the Saturday night before Carnival officially begins. Each band, mainly consisting of percussion instruments made from discarded oil drums, performs one song for the allotted time of ten minutes. Winners are awarded in the categories of small, medium and large band.


Kings and Queens Costume Competition

Kings and Queens Costumes typically weigh between 50 - 200 lbs, and depict colourful fantasy themes and dreamscapes. They are the leaders of masquerade bands and the competition to be selected as national King and Queen is fierce. Designers spend months creating these stunning costumes that can tower over 30 feet high and enhance their chances of winning with special effects such as lasers, fog, light shows, fireworks and musical sound effects. Wheels are usually attached to the costume's base to make mobility easier for the brave soul who will spend two days dancing on the streets of Port of Spain strapped into these colossal designs.


Dimanche Gras

Sunday, February 3

A massive cultural show, Dimanche Gras is traditionally held in Port of Spain, Trinidad, the Sunday night before Carnival celebrations officially begin.

All the major elements of Carnival - mas, steelpan, calypso and soca music - are showcased at the event, which features the finals of the King and Queen (of the bands) and Calypso Monarch competition.

Both competitions are hotly contested and often feature elaborate stage presentations, and in the case of the King and Queen of the bands, breathtaking pyrotechnic displays. For locals the highlight of the event is the Calypso Monarch competition in which 10 to 12 calypso singers, wielding engaging melodies, piercing social commentary and sharp wit, battle for supremacy.

J'Ouvert

Monday, February 4

The official start of Carnival, J'Ouvert is a pre-dawn celebration which takes place on Carnival Monday. Bands of revellers dress in old clothes cover themselves in oil, grease, paint, chocolate or warm mud. Trailing large music trucks or steelbands, participants dance through the streets of until the sun comes up. Once J'Ouvert is over, it's time to grab breakfast and catch a few hours of sleep before venturing onto the streets to join the masquerade bands as they continue the celebrations throughout the day and into the night.

Carnival Monday and Tuesday

Monday, February 4 and Tuesday, February 5

Carnival Monday is a "warm-up" for Carnival Tuesday and the parade begins around midday, after J'Ouvert. Participants view Carnival Monday as a dress rehearsal (headpieces and full costume are not required) for the main event, Carnival Tuesday.

Carnival Tuesday begins promptly at 8 a.m. and masqueraders are in full costume ready and impatiently awaiting their chance to strut their stuff in front of the judges and television cameras as they cross the main judging points. Bands are judged in three categories: small, medium and large and winners are announced after all the bands have crossed the stage. The Champion Band is crowned Masquerade Band of the Year.

Masquerade bands consist of thousands of people'jumping up' (dancing) in the streets. Band members wear glittery, colourful and often revealing costumes. Each band has its own historical, mythological or tropical concept with various sections depicting aspects of the main theme.

Partners

  • Arterial network
  • Media, Sports and Entertainment Group (MSE)
  • Gens de la Caraïbe
  • Groupe 30 Afrique
  • Alliance Française VANUATU
  • PACIFIC ARTS ALLIANCE
  • FURTHER ARTS
  • Zimbabwe : Culture Fund Of Zimbabwe Trust
  • RDC : Groupe TACCEMS
  • Rwanda : Positive Production
  • Togo : Kadam Kadam
  • Niger : ONG Culture Art Humanité
  • Collectif 2004 Images
  • Africultures Burkina-Faso
  • Bénincultures / Editions Plurielles
  • Africiné
  • Afrilivres

With the support of