Back in 1947 I played mas with Mack Copeland's 2 older brothers. I was almost 5 and they asked my Mum to allow me and I was the youngest Red Indian for many years. I learnt the speeches and chants and dances which I performed in Kiddies Carnival. I won first prize many times and in those days all Jr masqueraders competed in age groups up 10 yrs old. Raddie and Percy Copeland did the wire bending, beading,feathers,ribbon and cane stalks.
Raddie was one of my Aunt's boyfriend ( they had a baby named Keith who is still in Trini and played pan with Hatters) A few years later Rudolph Belgrove( he married another of my Aunts) joined them and we had a larger band and he did the wire bending and produced the first King Sailor bands in Sando.
Raddie died sometime when I was about 7 and I started playing with my Stepfather and my first year I was crowned Jr King and Betty John was Jr Queen portraying Brittania ( The lady on the penny).
American Indian mas has always been an important part inTrinidad Carnival, and many Indian bands were also supported by the steelbands.
Interestingly, there is also a similar Indian mas tradition in New Orleans Mardi Gras. Iwonder if there is any connection?
Maybe Kim Johnson would know?
BTW, the first big time ,Indian mas player and wire bender I ever knew was a feller way back in the fifties from Broadway named Frankie, also called "Lips". Anyone knew of him?
Thanks Bertel , never would have thought this was today's Mas . Big up to these guys for trying to bring back this type of Mas . I hope the bandleaders take notice and bring out a big band next year . Remember those nice sections we used to have . The players used to have a little purse to put the money they would get when they posed for pictures . Blessings
Now you folks talking about Indians. I used to be a serious wire bender and I love to play my Indian. Showboat, another Benedict's boy, was also a master wire bender. This brought back wonderful memories. You could still see this type of Indians at Point's Borough Day. Dr. Lance Seunarine
Hi Gons, thanks for the information and your interest. This picture was taken this year 2013 on the Avenue, Port of Spain, Carnival Tuesday. What I liked about this Red Indian band was the detailed costuming the designers did on each of the revellers, which reminded me of how it was long ago. You are very correct, we don't see these kinds of Red Indians played in the modern day Trini Carnival again. It is very very rare!
Hey Bertel , what year is this from ? This is what I remember Red Indian Mas was back in the day . Three guys from South always played this . Wheeler , Blacks and Ralphie . My brother in law Clinton also plated this . I spent some long nights at Mas Camps helping do beading, bending wire , attaching feathers and swansdown . Man , those were some of my best teenage days . Blessings Winston .
Comments
Nice Vernon, Your picture is a picture to cherish for lifetimes! Nice!
Back in 1947 I played mas with Mack Copeland's 2 older brothers. I was almost 5 and they asked my Mum to allow me and I was the youngest Red Indian for many years. I learnt the speeches and chants and dances which I performed in Kiddies Carnival. I won first prize many times and in those days all Jr masqueraders competed in age groups up 10 yrs old. Raddie and Percy Copeland did the wire bending, beading,feathers,ribbon and cane stalks.
Raddie was one of my Aunt's boyfriend ( they had a baby named Keith who is still in Trini and played pan with Hatters) A few years later Rudolph Belgrove( he married another of my Aunts) joined them and we had a larger band and he did the wire bending and produced the first King Sailor bands in Sando.
Raddie died sometime when I was about 7 and I started playing with my Stepfather and my first year I was crowned Jr King and Betty John was Jr Queen portraying Brittania ( The lady on the penny).
Interestingly, there is also a similar Indian mas tradition in New Orleans Mardi Gras. Iwonder if there is any connection?
Maybe Kim Johnson would know?
BTW, the first big time ,Indian mas player and wire bender I ever knew was a feller way back in the fifties from Broadway named Frankie, also called "Lips". Anyone knew of him?
Winston, you forgot to mention Lennox 'Sugars' Hernandez, Patrick Montoute and Mascal. Also Peter Carvalho and Nasco. Maybe you were too young.
Now you folks talking about Indians. I used to be a serious wire bender and I love to play my Indian. Showboat, another Benedict's boy, was also a master wire bender. This brought back wonderful memories. You could still see this type of Indians at Point's Borough Day. Dr. Lance Seunarine
Hi Gons, thanks for the information and your interest. This picture was taken this year 2013 on the Avenue, Port of Spain, Carnival Tuesday. What I liked about this Red Indian band was the detailed costuming the designers did on each of the revellers, which reminded me of how it was long ago. You are very correct, we don't see these kinds of Red Indians played in the modern day Trini Carnival again. It is very very rare!