Imagine an island festival that seems messier than La Tomatina, noisier than Rock in Rio and more flamboyant than '70s-era Elton John. Carnival in Trinidad is a rich pot of island music, native traditions, elaborate costumes and artistic competitions that take place throughout the island on the Monday and Tuesday before Lent. Scheduled activities occur in nearly 60 places on the island, but the main party takes place on the streets of the capital city, Port of Spain. The U.K. "Guardian" estimates that 300,000 people, including 40,000 tourists, take part in the Port of Spain festivities around the national stadium and Queens Park.
Did Someone Say Pre-Party?
- Anyone who thinks Carnival only lasts for two days is sorely mistaken. The celebrations really begin the day after Christmas with soca and calypso concerts, preliminary music competitions, local celebrity parties and various elaborate events known as fetes. In the weekend before Carnival, the main music competitions take place for Panorama steelband, calypso and soca, among others. Dimanche Gras is the big kickoff party on Sunday and includes the crowning of the King and Queen of Carnival (based largely on costumes that would put Cher to shame) and the naming of the Calypso Monarch. As Sunday rolls into Monday, Carnival officially begins at 4 a.m. with J'Ouvert.
Make the Most of Carnival
- A full moon is not needed for lunacy to erupt at J'Ouvert in the early hours of Monday morning. Like an episode of "Walking Dead" come to life, the "mas" (masquerade festival) epitomizes the island's dark history with revelers dressed as devils, demons, zombies, monsters or simply covered in paint, mud or chocolate. Come daybreak, the bands and parades take to the streets with spectators watching from the stands at Queen's Park and other locations. The competition for Band of the Year occurs during the Tuesday parade, and the Las' Lap is the final stages of the Carnival parade that night. On Wednesday morning, though, everyone heads to the beaches for more parties, bands and DJs.
Learn the Carnival Jukebox
- Music rivals masquerade as the cornerstones of Carnival, and knowing the island's musical heritage is a good way to make the most of the celebration. Trinidad and Tobago is home to calypso music, which many Americans know from songs like "Banana Boat Song" and "Jump in the Line." While the first singing contest took place in 1911, Carnival has named a Calypso Monarch (originally Calypso King) since 1939. In 1993, Carnival added the Soca Monarch competition in 1993 for soca music, a newer Trinidadian sound that blends calypso, American soul and dance music. Famous soca songs in the United States include Arrow's "Hot Hot Hot" and the Baha Men's "Who Let the Dogs Out," but the more traditional artists include SuperBlue, Bunji Garlin and Machel Montano. A contest for mellower songs, the Groovy Soca Monarch, was introduced in 2004. Other local sounds include steel pan, extempo, brass, chutney and chutney brass.
Remember the Revolution
- Trinidad's Carnival has its roots in revolution. The island was under Spanish rule in 1789 when the French Revolution struck fear into many of France's Caribbean territories. Planters on Martinique and other nearby French islands moved to Trinidad, nearly tripling Port of Spain's population, and introduced their Carnival traditions to the upper class. The plantation slaves could not participate in Carnival, but they staged a concurrent Canboulay festival where many of the island's musical traditions were born. In the early 19th century, a new revolution was brewing to free the slaves, and when emancipation took effect in 1838, the freed slaves took their festival to the street. Blending African, Caribbean, Asian, European and other cultural traditions, the festival evolved into the diverse Carnival celebration the island enjoys today.
Experience Carnival at Home
- Trinidad-style Carnivals can also be experienced in several cities around the world. In the Caribbean, celebrations include the Bacchanal Jamaica in Kingston, the Crop Over Festival in Barbados and the Lucian Carnival in St. Lucia, among others. In the United States, Trinidadian Carnivals can be found in New York, Miami, Baltimore, Atlanta, Houston, Palm Beach and a more family-friendly affair in Orlando. International events take place in Rotterdam and several Canadian cities, while the trendy London neighborhood Notting Hill hosts a summertime Carnival that has been called the largest street festival in Europe.
