As World Read Aloud Day approaches on February 4, celebrated in over 173 countries, it’s a timely reminder of the transformative power of reading aloud. This global event urges children and adults alike to pick up a book, find an audience, and dive into the joy of shared storytelling. In Trinidad and Tobago, where Carnival isn’t just a festival but a vibrant tapestry of culture, we can harness the spirit of our local masquerade characters to ignite literacy development in schools.
Characters like the Pierrot Grenade and the Midnight Robber aren’t mere performers; they’re unwitting educators, weaving words into whimsical lessons that make learning irresistible.
Take the Pierrot Grenade, a staple of Trinidadian Carnival. Dressed in a voluminous, baggy costume of brightly coloured fabric adorned with glitter, sequins, and eye-catching embellishments, this figure dons a papier-mâché mask that exaggerates features like a prominent nose and oversized lips. Originating from French influences brought by colonisers in the early 19th century, the Pierrot has evolved, blending African and Creole elements to embody Trinidadian identity.
Known for comedic antics—dancing, singing, joking, and engaging audiences in playful banter—the Pierrot Grenade represents the trickster archetype, using humour and wit to challenge norms.
But beyond the spectacle, the Pierrot Grenade is a literary powerhouse. In Carnival’s playful arena, this character employs mnemonics, those clever memory tricks that turn spelling and language into games.
A classic example is the rhyme: “Chicken in the car and the car can’t go, that’s how you spell Chicago.” Phonetically, it breaks down “Chicago” into “Chi” (chicken), “Ca” (car), and “Go” (can’t go), helping kids and adults master spelling through sheer whimsy. Veteran Pierrot Felix Edinborough takes it further, transforming words into stories and allegories rather than rote letter-by-letter drills. By fusing education with entertainment, the Pierrot Grenade bridges fun and knowledge, sparking curiosity in young minds. Teachers in Trinidad should recognise this as a potent tool: laughter fuels engagement, proving that learning can be as lively as a masquerade band. In the heart of our culture, the Pierrot reminds us that wisdom wears many masks.
Equally captivating is the Midnight Robber, one of Carnival’s most beloved figures. Cloaked in a wide-brimmed hat and cape, this character draws from old West novels and cinema, but its true magic lies in “Robber Talk”, a boastful, articulate style of rhyming speech that catalogues the robber’s exploits, ancestry, and supernatural feats. Linked to West African Griot traditions, these performances feature rhythmic language, detailed chronologies, and themes steeped in history, religion, and mythology. Robber confrontations often burst with quotations, rhetorical flourishes, riddles, and allusions, creating a narrative tapestry that’s both entertaining and educational.
In schools, the Midnight Robber’s elaborate storytelling can inspire literacy programmes that emphasise oral traditions.
Imagine students crafting their own “Robber Talk” monologues, blending rhymes and riddles to recount personal histories or explore themes from literature. This not only builds vocabulary and fluency but also fosters cultural pride, connecting classroom learning to the vibrant pulse of Carnival.
Carnival, at its core, is a clever playground for literacy. By integrating these characters into educational activities, through read-aloud sessions, creative writing workshops, or even school masquerade events, we can make language come alive.
As we celebrate World Read Aloud Day, let’s embrace the Pierrot Grenade’s mnemonic mischief and the Midnight Robber’s rhetorical flair to empower our children.
Grab your glitter, pick up a book, and let the masquerade lead the way to knowledge.
In Trinidad and Tobago, wisdom truly wears many masks.
Mary Cuffy is an educator and local children’s author. Ms Cuffy is the author of the Ladybug book series. Ms Cuffy believes the best investment we can make in children is in the early years. Email: mary.cuffy@yahoo.com• IG: marycuffy • FB: mary cuffy/Lola and the Dancing Ladybug
