Downtown mas shows patriotism

From Waka People’s Dog Soldiers to Rosalind Gabriel and Village Production’s Xante to Pulse’s Frontier and to the Dream Team, downtown Carnival yesterday saw all bands—large, medium, small and mini—pay tribute in some way to the culture of T&T. Exploding onto the streets in an array of colours, each band displayed to the judges that Carnival was birthed in T&T and belongs to the twin islands.

Spectators enjoyed the breathtaking designs by veteran maswoman Rosalind Gabriel with her presentation Xante Trinbago. Xante meaning Show off T&T, show off, reminded revellers and onlookers of what being patriotic was all about. With the national bird the Scarlet Ibis as her king, each section in Xante followed in similar sequence, paying tribute to the things indigenous to T&T and African culture.

These demonstrations included a tribute to the steelpan, our national instrument, calypso limbo, camboulay, emancipation and Trini sailors to name a few. Pulse, which had approximately five sections in its band, also displayed patriotism in its presentation. The band’s costumes reflected the wildlife birds indigenous to T&T. It was also one of the more organised bands that crossed the judging point.

But it was perhaps Mac Farlane’s presentation, Sanctification—In Search Of, that really got the attention of the judges, media and the spectators who thronged the Brian Lara Promenade and South Quay. Mac Farlane placed the “show” in the greatest show on earth. Not only was  the band well organised and the only one to release confetti in the national colours, but the message meant to be conveyed by Mac Farlane was clearly received.

With approximately nine to ten sections, Mac Farlane told the story of a sweet T&T going through a dark time with crime, both white-collar and black-collar. One of the sections also displayed the blood that is flowing upon T&T at present with the number of deaths that occur on a daily basis. However, his story has a bright ending as the doom and gloom is purged by the purity—a section donned in white. And after purity comes a nation finally blossoming as it should.

This was displayed through his Queen whose costume was also lily white with silver lining. In her arms she carried a newborn signifying the rebirth of T&T. His last three sections also showcased the renewal of T&T as they were all draped prominently in the country’s national colours, red white and black. Other bands included, D Harvard Band, Image Nation, Roland St George, Species and Roam among others.