Carnival lovers make mas in Mayaro

Scores of Carnival fanatics turned out last Sunday for the launch of Carnival in Mayaro. The event was a collaboration of the three areas of the Mayaro region—Mayaro, Biche and Rio Claro. The theme this year was Making D’ Mas Better. The event was a colourful display of masqueraders, steelpan, drummers, and the resurrection of the traditional tambu bamboo, and hosted a series of entertainment that included performances from bands Roy Cape Kaiso All Stars and Melobugz.

Performers Rikki Jai, Lima Calbio, Kurt Allen and Elsworth James also performed for the festive crowd. The Mayaro Rhythm Section and the Mafeking Government Primary Steel Orchestra also registered some vibrant performances. There was a wide variety of traditional mas, among them jab jabs, fancy sailors, midnight robbers, stickfighters, blue devils and dame lorraines. There was also a portrayal from San Fernando mas band veteran, Lionel Jaggesar’s Native Indians, along with the reigning queen of south Carnival, Rosemary Jaggesar. The mas was accompanied by sounds from the Tunapuna Vibrations Engine Room and the Humming Bird Tassa Group, to name a few.

In a brief address, Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Winston “Gypsy” Peters, also MP for the Ortoire/Mayaro constituency, said the event was an historical one, as it had brought all the different fraternities of Carnival together. “The unity of the areas within the regions will help to bring a bigger and better Carnival,” he said, noting that Carnival should no longer to be viewed only as “jump and wine,” but as a chance to market the country internationally. He added that Carnival needed to become more self-sufficient. Peters said because of the economic frailties in this country, Carnival could be subjected to a decrease in the amount of funding awarded in the future. In closing, he urged those in attendance to celebrate Carnival without lawlessness and “just have fun.” Special attendees to the event included Joseph Toney, chairman of the Congress of the People, Raymond Cozier, vice chairman of the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation, and members of the National Carnival Commission and Tuco.