The timing for Carnival is 40 days before Easter, the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The days can fall between early february and early March. The dates for 2011 are Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th March. In Trinbago, the celebration in Trinidad is the larger celebration with Port of Spain being the main location for the Parade of Bands, an opportunity to parade costumes including large floats for the Kings and Queens to masqueraders in beads and bikini bands and traditional costumes of Native Indians, Fancy Sailors, Blue and Red Devils and other ole' mas characters. Port of Spain is also where most of the major parties for the season are so if you are coming for Carnival, Port of Spain is where you need to be.
Carnival in Trinbago is not just 2 days! It starts from Boxing Day with the release of soca tunes for the season, organised parties (fetes), steel pan competitions and cultural events around ole' mas characters.
Trinis may be somewhat un-organised and last minute in their commitment and attendance to events and this is so true when it comes to Carnival Fetes. There is always a last minute hussle through "your network" to find tickets for the "hottest party" even through there is a calendar that comes out from the September before!
http://carnivalfeteish.wordpress.com/2011/01/04/trinidad-carnival-fete-list-2011-calendar-updated/
Then of course, Trinis are voyeristic beings and after the fete they like to see pictures of themselves. Facebook is a REAL favourite and Triniscene is a must for the avid feter.
www.triniscene.com
Fetes are talked about for days before and days after and a fortune is spent by individuals on tickets and clothes. Loans from the bank for up to US$5k are common to ENJOY Carnival to the full. In a country where the average salary is about US$1k this means that you borrow in January to pay for your costume and fetes and pay it back for the rest of the year.....
Fete format - just for reference.
Whatever time the fete is advertised to start, expect that it may not ready for at least an hour after this time! It is ready in Trini time.
Arrive an hour after the expected start time and know that the fete really wont get going until 3 hours in to the fete when the bulk of patrons will arrive. There will also be some who arrive 5 and 6 hours after the start time - don't be surprised.
Trinis will dress anyhow - some will casual because they come to get on wild to the music which is like a 3 hour aerobics session. Some will dress high fashion - don't expect them to move too much or to show any sign of enjoyment!
Carnival reaches fever pitch in the week before with fetes for breakfast, day time and night. Revellers have been known to go over 3 days with little or no sleep, going from 1 fete to the next, maybe catnapping in their car for an hour before moving on.
Alcohol consumption increases dramatically at Carnival time and a number of fetes are "All Inclusive" - all your food, drink and entertainment for the event at one price. All inclusives can range from US$35 to US$200, the higher the price the more premium the drinks, eats and attendees....
Trinis love scotch and Johnny Walker is the Trini king - Red, Green, Blue, Gold... Johnny with ice, with water, with coconut water, with soda, coke or whatever. Johnny forever.
Other Trinis love RUM from Puncheon (fire water) to Angostura 1919 to El Dorado. Again, with chasers or in cocktails. We drinking anyting!
Music is everywhere at Carnival time - street corners, bars, cars, passers by, music trucks and it is LOUD! Trinis love music and love to share their music (whether you want to hear it or not). They love it loud with major BASS! Over the years of Carnival I have come to realise that every year there are a number of songs released but only about 8 make it on to the playlist consistently to the point that it becomes a shared culture for Trinbagonians - no matter what age you are or if you are interested in Carnival you cant help but have heard these tunes at least once. These songs are added to the 8 from the year before and the year before that etc so when you go to a fete you can be sure that everyone who is from Trini (and some other islanders and previous visitors) will know most if not all of the songs and the words so that the performer in the band will not need to sing for the half the time they are on stage. Watch the Beyonce concert in Trinidad 2010 and you will see what I mean. The crowd only really comes to life when Beyonce introduces "Parlance" (2010 Road March winner) in to her rendition!
Music at events can range from dj to dj with performing artiste to dj, live band, performing artiste and guest artistes. Whatever the music, it would have to be really bad for the crowd to not be engaged.
If you think you can party, you need to come to Trinidad particularly for the week before Carnival!
Note - Home and Work commitments don't mix well with Partying so my advice to you, while you have income without commitment, do all the partying you can and ENJOY!
Life in Trinidad and Tobago through the year's festivals from Carnival in March to New Year in January 2012
Sunday, 6 March 2011
Blog inspiration
I am a Trinbagonian who has lived abroad for many years. Returning to Trinbago was a culture shock of reverse time travel, taking me back to pre-internet, pre-deregulation and pre-introduction of service culture and limited law enforcement..... say no more. Despite all that Trinbago is still a great place to live, if you manage the stress of the other areas, for the simple reason that it has a tropical climate all year round, double the number of public holidays of the UK or the US and Carnival, the greatest show on earth and the best 4- day weekend anywhere in the world..
Additional, the cultural diversity of the population of Trinbago, coupled with the catholic roots in to the legislation of the nation along with the democracy of politics, has meant that no public holiday has ever been removed from the calendar, only added to. At my last count there were 16 holidays and then Carnival. Carnival is not a public holiday in Trinbago but on the whole offices and shops are not open as employees would not turn up for work.
I have been wondering for a while if Carnival is the best place to start this blog or whether I should build up to the event through other festivals and have come to the conclusion that there is no right or wrong, there is just alot of public holidays!
Here's hoping that you enjoy this blog through 2011. Look out for a post at least once a month - some month's there may be more as we have more than one Public Holiday in that month!
AR9
About Trinbago
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinidad_and_tobago
Twin island republic off the coast of Venezuela, at the base of the Caribbean chain.
Rich in oil & gas with a population of 1.3m,
Trinidad is the industrial of the two islands with two mountain ranges (North and Central) and tropical rainforest that goes right down to the beaches in a number of locations. Tobago is the tourist destination with white sand, blue seas and great diving locations on the west and the North Coast of the island. Cultural diversity and inclusion gives the islands a unique culture of music and cultural events.
Additional, the cultural diversity of the population of Trinbago, coupled with the catholic roots in to the legislation of the nation along with the democracy of politics, has meant that no public holiday has ever been removed from the calendar, only added to. At my last count there were 16 holidays and then Carnival. Carnival is not a public holiday in Trinbago but on the whole offices and shops are not open as employees would not turn up for work.
I have been wondering for a while if Carnival is the best place to start this blog or whether I should build up to the event through other festivals and have come to the conclusion that there is no right or wrong, there is just alot of public holidays!
Here's hoping that you enjoy this blog through 2011. Look out for a post at least once a month - some month's there may be more as we have more than one Public Holiday in that month!
AR9
About Trinbago
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinidad_and_tobago
Twin island republic off the coast of Venezuela, at the base of the Caribbean chain.
Rich in oil & gas with a population of 1.3m,
Trinidad is the industrial of the two islands with two mountain ranges (North and Central) and tropical rainforest that goes right down to the beaches in a number of locations. Tobago is the tourist destination with white sand, blue seas and great diving locations on the west and the North Coast of the island. Cultural diversity and inclusion gives the islands a unique culture of music and cultural events.
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