At this time of year in Trinidad and Tobago the word culture is bandied about quite a lot. Every facet of the annual celebrations is referred to as culture, whether by tradition or invention. Calypso, in its original form, as well as all its derivations (soca and groovy soca) born over the decades, stickfighting, chutney, ole mas', although this component of our Carnival is dying a slow and painful death simply because of the sheer inability of our people to be creative, are all being claimed as "we culture."
But while everybody is laying claim to what constitutes culture, as Catholics we have a specific mandate to properly articulate our culture and identity as it relates to our faith. One description of culture is the sum total of a people's social and psychological organisation which shapes the way they perceive, relate to and interpret themselves and the world, including values, language, beliefs, customs, food and child-rearing practices. It is also, social organisation, educational systems, history, political structure and religious expression. For anthropologists and other behavioural scientists, culture is the full range of learned human behaviour.
When therefore, we examine the Second Pastoral Priority-Revitalising Catholic Culture and Identity, it becomes necessary to look at what has impacted on and shaped culture over the centuries and which has resulted in changes, radical in some instances, because culture is dynamic and ever changing. While it is accepted that we cannot return to past generations to resuscitate their practices, we can however, bring the richness of those generations into the lives of the people of today, thus grounding them in a Catholic culture that is based on Gospel values in the midst of a secularised world.
Last year, when members of a parish in the Northern Vicariate decided to "bring out a mas' band," a major discussion erupted from people within and outside of the church, as to whether Catholics should be involved in such a high profile manner in the Carnival. Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival is a far cry from what obtained in the glory days of the Roman Empire. It is totally different and has, over the centuries, morphed into something that is unique to our country, and while in many ways the festival has degenerated into a massive wine and jam street party dominated by scantily clad female participants, the original Carnival was born from a desire for freedom of expression.
So the question arises: Is it wrong for Catholics to be active masqueraders on the Carnival days? The answer obviously is "no!" Carnival, as we know it today, has been part of our cultural landscape for more generations than we would care to count. So active participation in Carnival via parties or a band of costumed masqueraders can serve Catholicism in a very positive way using the opportunity to convey the message that "playing mas with clothes" can be just as enjoyable and the merriment ecstatically immeasurable.
Word Associates therefore, with its 2012 presentation, Exodus, is actually pioneering a new era in our Carnival. In its own way it is signalling the revitalisation of our Catholic culture and identity in keeping with the Synod mandate, and the organisers should be congratulated on taking this bold, innovative step in a season that is incontrovertibly the most banal in our society today. Word is also showing it is eminently possible for people of any religious persuasion to fully participate in the Carnival celebrations without descending into the depths of depravity and salacious behaviour. Word and Associates must be congratulated for taking their bold step.
-Vernon Khelawan, is the media relations officer of Catholic Media Services Ltd