Carnival In Port of Spain
“You not moving yuh waist by chance? No! Is the riddim, de riddim, de riddimmm! – Farmer Nappy
Those lyrics, as well as the song in its entirety certainly inspired this week’s blog post of Carnival in Port of Spain. Is it really the “riddim” that makes you move your waist? Or is it the atmosphere and urban uniqueness assigned to the city? Is it the melodious rhythm and joyful lyrics certainly aiding in behaviour, causing part-takers to express themselves in both savory and unsavory ways? Or, as an urban geographer, is it the city’s urban structure and usage of space, unique temporary identity with minimal regulations create a space whereby masquerades thrive? Dependent on one’s view, it cannot be denied that Carnival in Port of Spain is distinctive to Trinidad and admired by many beyond its shores.
According to the Museum of International Folk Art, carnival was originally introduced by French Catholic Plantation owners in the 18th century, intended to persuade local British colonizers to join them in carrying out fanciful masquerades. This was soon embraced by the emancipated Africans in the early 19th century as a symbolic rite of liberation. This initial festival was not known to be location specific, but over time, evolution has not only affected the costume’s design, but the prime location to celebrate this yearly festival.
The city of Port of Spain is not only known for commercial activity, traffic in the early mornings and evenings and the occasional floods, but a place of liberation, where both local and foreign only known as “we” during the carnival season, parade through the gridded structure accompanied by Soca music played by a “big truck”, leading thousands of footsteps that has not toppled the city, but has given it a unique identity of freedom.
But why Port of Spain? Because of the city’s economic status, most masquerade bands have established themselves in the city, occupying areas known as “band houses”. Some band houses have established themselves as carnival franchises due to time success throughout the years. These bands reside in the Port of Spain, aiding in the initial mold of high economic activity occurring in the city, hence a prime suspect these massive crowds flock to the city. Over the history of carnival, the city corporation has facilitated pathways throughout the city for the parading bands, to enable some control over proceedings. However, due to the city thriving in the carnival season, with the intake of foreign exchange at both upper and lower levels of the social spectrum, minimal regulations are employed except for the heavy presence of police officers.
The city’s structure, as well as nearby savannahs and parks, creates an urban space where masqueraders could pageant, but also relax when the sun has proven too hot, whereby parks such as Queen’s Park Savannah would offer temporary shade before your friends and even strangers brings you back into the crowd.
The symbiotic relationship between masquerades and the city of Port of Spain has certainly thrived, creating a city identity that certainly extended beyond the borders of Trinidad and even the Caribbean. Carded for the 27th and 28th in the year of 2017, if possible by GOD’s grace, I hope to see you there, marching through the city, leaving your footsteps here and hopefully taking away wonderful memories of carnival in Port of Spain.
New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. ICarnival. Last Modified 2010. http://www.carnavalexhibit.org/tobago.php
