Carnival is a very specific blessing, unique to the Caribbean.
Without realising it, us human beings often have pent up emotions and energy that we often need to release. Just as Machel Montano once (through song) pointed out.
In some ways, life is a relentless game, a rollercoaster even. Where the score is always changing. In any given moment, we are either winning or losing. Getting closer, or further away from our goals. Carnival is also a game, albeit a different type of game which helps us balance and even offset some of the rougher edges felt from playing within the wider game, of this thing called life.
Jumping up on the road is a special time where revellers get to put themselves first (for once). Prioritizing how they will look and feel on Carnival day by picking the best Jouvert and Mas Band to play with. Which also entails picking out the best costume to wear.
A key word within a Reveller’s vocabulary is play. As playing ah Mas or playing Jouvert, helps to offset the seriousness that sometimes seeps into the wider game of life, that we all play. In the game of playing ah mas, adults (who ironically may well need to play the most) get to tap into a level of fun, freedom and joy that is normally unavailable in everyday life.
Moreover, the really cool part about revelling on the road is, everybody else likely is reading from the same memo. Meaning that simultaneously, other revellers are the more relaxed, fun loving and positive versions of themselves too. Which all means that revellers get to win two victories at once. That is, be the best version of themselves, whilst thousands of people are doing the same thing too.
Pick Your Carnival.
At the time of writing this article. We are all heading towards the middle of July. Which means we are in that period of the year that we affectionately like to refer to as the Carnival Summer.
However, this concept lends itself to a serious question for all real revellers. As a reveller, which time of year is the best time of the year? Is it the February or March that Trinidad Carnival happens to fall on that year? Or, is it during the summer, where a reveller can potentiall binge on all the revelry of the seasons present in St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, St. Vincent and The Grenadines etc etc. To be fair, there are way more Carnivals than this but that is the point. The Caribbean is so blessed via the institution that is Carnival, that it really is hard to name all the Carnivals that we are blessed by.
Even the most seasoned and experienced reveller, likely has a Mas that they have never made it to. Which means that almost every reveller has a Carnival blind spot and can improve their knowledge of the Carnival landscape.
That truly is an exciting prospect because it is fun to know that there is still more Carnival for us all to experience and explore. This is because a true reveller, likely never met a Carnival they disliked. Moreover, every reveller knows that every single Carnival is unique and brings something different to the table.
Every single Carnival has a unique musical offering. As well as its own cultural flavors that help make its Carnival different and stand out from the next.
Which is exactly why, you never can tell which Carnival or time of the year is most appreciated by any one reveller. Which is why whilst most revellers, will likely agree that Trinidad Carnival is the best time of year.
The quality of Trinidad Carnival, might be outdone by the sheer volume (quantity) of Carnivals available to the reveller during the Carnival Summer. Notably, even some Trinbagonians may well admit that being able to play Mas in Vincy, St. Lucia, Spice Mas, Cropover etc eventually begins to outweigh that one mas played in the sweetest mas of all (Trinidad Carnival).
Either way, the main point worth remembering is how blessed the Caribbean is to be able to have such a beautiful debate in the first place. Carnival in the Caribbean is a gift and a blessing that we all should appreciate because both work and play are vital parts of the yin and yang duality, that together, make living a full life possible. Both work and play are a must, if we are to have a realistic shot at happiness and being fulfilled.
Playing A Mas Matters.
Make no mistake, Carnival brings tangible gifts to the lives of every true reveller. With life as we know it, coming with so much change. Carnival is that constant that will help ensure that revellers continue to have what is needed to keep winning in the overall game of life.
Which brings up another important topic. As an adult, the only way to know what you are missing is to give it a try. It is arguably unfair for people to vocalize critiques about something they have never participated in. Moreover, it is particular unfair for the most vocal critics of the mas, to be the ones that have never participated.
To paraphrase a popular sentiment often used in reference to guns: Carnival has never been responsible for killing people but ultimately, people are.
Responsibility ultimately lies with people.
Arguably, the opportunities for people to come together in a positive way are rare enough as it is. Rather than assume that masquerading is merely an opportunity for us to regress together. Those who have never played ah mas should at least conversate with revellers to get exposed to how playing mas, helps people achieve progress together.
There is definitely more to masquerading than alcohol consumption, showing skin and dancing rude. Moreover, other positives like people making lifelong connections are positives than non revellers may well have never considered.
Playing ah mas gives back to revellers in a wide variety of ways. Is it for everybody? Of course no. However, just as non revellers have a right to forego revelling without criticism. Revellers have a right to revel without criticism (provided they do so respectfully). Non revellers having their cake (by doing what they want) without allowing revellers the same courtesy is wrong, hypocritical and should be seen as such.
Why knock it if you have never played ah mas? Instead, maybe you should join in, the next time a big truck pass?
