Trinidad Carnival in Trinidad, Caribbean

Mon, Feb 11th 2008, 00:00

Many of the Caribbean Islands come alive during carnival season â€¦ and Trinidad is no exception.

Many of the Caribbean Islands come alive during carnival season … and Trinidad is no exception. In Trinidad, Carnival is officially held on the two days before Ash Wednesday. In 2008 the island came alive on 5 and 6 February.

The modern carnival in Trinidad has deep African roots. Carnival was introduced to Trinidad by the French settlers to this English colony in 1785. They organised elaborate balls at the grand plantation houses, wearing exotic gowns and ornate masks in the tradition of the Venice Carnival.

The slaves soon adopted carnival celebrations of their own. While the grand balls were being held in the plantation houses, they held their own festivities. In the African tradition, parades are held through villages to call on good fortune for the year ahead. Traditionally costumes and masks were made with bones, beads, shells and feathers.

Slavery was abolished in Trinidad in 1838 and soon the carnival parade took to the streets! As the years went by, these parades became more elaborate … and soon the parades were more popular than the carnival balls, though both still take place today.

Drumming was in the hearts of the African slaves who were brought to Trinidad and they made drums from everything they could find. The steel band is a distinctive feature of the Trinidad beat and the carnival parades vibrate to their playful rhythm.

Trinidad is the home of the steel drum (or pan). First produced in the 1930s, this highly inventive musical instrument is made by hammering the base of an oil drum. The surface is hammered into convex dents which each produce a different tone.

Trinidad is home to many gifted drummers who make magic on the steel pans. Carnival time rings with the steel rhythm as the various steel bands compete in the musical competition.

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