History of the Trinidad Carnival

Trinidad and Tobago host Carnival, a festival described by author Barbara Ehrenreich as “a centuries-old blowout so wild and intense that it makes Mardi Gras look like a Veterans Day parade.” Carnival takes place on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday or 40 days (excluding Sundays) before Easter. Like other carnival festivals around the world, Trinidad’s Carnival is rich in culture and history and features energetic street parties, elaborate costumes and non-stop music.

Origins

Most historians date the beginnings of carnival in Trinidad to sometime between 1776 and 1783, with the arrival of French Catholic settlers from the mainland and other French colonies in the West Indies. Trinidad and Tobago’s elite class hosted opulent costume balls and feasts to celebrate the season between Christmas and Lent. The elite French colonists barred Africans and people of mixed race from attending the festivities. The lower classes, however, enjoyed the freedom to curate their own celebrations, complete with costumes and satirical portrayals of oppressive white society.

Abolition of Slavery

Trinidad and Tobago abolished slavery in 1833, and Africans began participating in public life. The affluent carnival masquerade balls of the elite gave way to massive street festivals enjoyed by the lower classes. Carnival became the main annual celebration of the lower classes as the white elites withdrew from public participation in the event.

Camboulay

Trinidad’s Carnival became the festival of the “jamette” or the fringes of society between 1838 and 1884. The lower classes started the festivities with a midnight Camboulay parade. Camboulay mimics a historical event - the sending of enslaved Africans to extinguish a massive sugar cane plantation blaze - hence its name “camboulay” from the French phrase, “cannes brulées” (burnt cane). The class separation apparent in Carnival celebrations caused tensions as lawmakers systematically imposed limits on carnival activities, and eventually banned Camboulay in 1884. As the festival fell under stricter regulation, the elite classes again began participating in the festival.

Twentieth Century

As the elite started participating again in Carnival, the extravagant European-influenced costuming and pageantry began reappearing. In 1957, Trinidad’s government created The Carnival Development Committee (CDC), officially making Carnival a national event and leading to more funding, planning and greater participation. The 1950s and 60s are referred to as “The Golden Age” of Trinidad’s Carnival. The 20th century saw the rise of J’Ouvert, the early morning parade of painted masqueraders that kicks off carnival in the wee hours of Monday morning; the extravagant costuming of the main “mas” (short for masquerade) parade on Carnival Tuesday; and heavy competition among street bands for Band of the Year as well as among Carnival king and queen hopefuls.

Recent History

Carnival has gained fame for its untamed party atmosphere and extravagant and risqué costuming, and attracts many tourist. However, local residents and historians worry traditional carnival customs are fading as the focus shifts to commercial interests and marketing the festival to tourists.

References

• The Magazine for Traditional Music Throughout the World: Carnival in Trinidad
• Trinidad and Tobago National Library and Information System: Carnival
• The National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago: Institute for the Study of Carnival
• Smithsonian Magazine: “Up Close at Trinidad's Carnival”; Barbara Ehrenreich

Resources

• The National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago
• “Americas: The Changing Face of Latin America and the Caribbean”; Peter Winn; 1999
• “Discover Trinidad and Tobago”; Tracy Assing and Sonja Sinaswee; 2006