Trini consultant advises on Calabar Carnival in Nigeria

Originating in the late 18th century, “Carnival” in Trinidad and Tobago is believed by many historians to be the first of its kind in the world. Nationalgeographic.com describes the masquerades and pre-Lenten celebrations of French plantation owners as the stimuli for a series of creative and culturally significant rituals of defiance crafted and institutionalised by the enslaved masses, who had been previously prohibited from joining in the festivities of their masters.

“The discarded garments of their oppressors were fashioned into costumes worn for satirical reenactments of the opulent balls and events, which the slaves could not attend” states the website and “coded language to communicate verbally” and via drums would have also helped to give birth to calypso music and its many subgenres like soca, chutney, extempo and even Trinibad, which are thriving today. Read More