This film was sent to me by Geoffrey MacLean, from his family's collection of early 8mm films shot in Trinidad during WW2. This film depicts Carnival time, m...
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i looked at the other old time carnival, and feel sad, real sad, some things need to change, as time changes and we learn more we improve, some things need improving not changing, what ever happen to playing mas, those days gone, in a big way, when pan was king in carnival and people played mas not jump up in skimpy outfits,
Thanks for the memories.I was born in Fyzabad in 1942,but grew up in San Fernando playing mas with The Copeland Bros in 1946 and was the youngest Wild Indian to compete and win Kiddies Carnival in Skinner Park. I do recognize the main Stand.
This was surely filmed at Skinners Park in San Fernando, Trinidad. Would you believe that the Main Stand in the film is still standing today exactly as it is seen here. The little red roof house to the left at the beginning is where "ParkLaL" the caretaker of the Park lived with his family for it was situated within the Park itself. It is very interesting and enjoyable. Thanks.
WOW. This was shortly after my Dad came to the US from San Fernando, and before I was even thought of.. As I grew older I enjoyed the indoor carnival dances that Daddy's club presented in NYC at the once famed Rockland Palace, now an apartment complex. They were always held on the Saturday night preceeding Lent. The carnival competitions would start at midnight. King, Queen, best band for costumes and dancing, kiddies, etc. were all done one night, one place. What fond memories I have of those dances, and the bands (musicians) were just as amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this film and activating my memories.
Mas on the truck was a direct development from the carnival soirees that the upper class whites and quadroons staged. They would mainly be held indoors in halls and then sometimes spilled out into the street nearby (sometimes some masqueraders moving from fete to fete).
The groups eventually became too large (especially as educated and acculturated blacks were accepted into the groups) so they moved onto the streets on foot. Here they still distinguished themselves from the common revellers by hiring people to carry long lengths of rope which encircled the band. They were always accompanied by brass bands.
By then the black revellers had taken over much of the carnival activity and as the creativity of the designers and the beauty of the steelband music they danced to grew more compelling, the upper classes 'skipped over their ropes' and joined them.
By then the carnival became a truly national 'all a we is one' celebration.
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Then or now - all the same - people looking happy!
i looked at the other old time carnival, and feel sad, real sad, some things need to change, as time changes and we learn more we improve, some things need improving not changing, what ever happen to playing mas, those days gone, in a big way, when pan was king in carnival and people played mas not jump up in skimpy outfits,
This was surely filmed at Skinners Park in San Fernando, Trinidad. Would you believe that the Main Stand in the film is still standing today exactly as it is seen here. The little red roof house to the left at the beginning is where "ParkLaL" the caretaker of the Park lived with his family for it was situated within the Park itself. It is very interesting and enjoyable. Thanks.
WOW. This was shortly after my Dad came to the US from San Fernando, and before I was even thought of.. As I grew older I enjoyed the indoor carnival dances that Daddy's club presented in NYC at the once famed Rockland Palace, now an apartment complex. They were always held on the Saturday night preceeding Lent. The carnival competitions would start at midnight. King, Queen, best band for costumes and dancing, kiddies, etc. were all done one night, one place. What fond memories I have of those dances, and the bands (musicians) were just as amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this film and activating my memories.
Much appreciated. Certainly before my time. However, being from San Fernando, the film invoked a sense of nostalgia. The accompanying music is great.
Wow! my mum was 3yrs. old that year.
Mas on the truck was a direct development from the carnival soirees that the upper class whites and quadroons staged. They would mainly be held indoors in halls and then sometimes spilled out into the street nearby (sometimes some masqueraders moving from fete to fete).
The groups eventually became too large (especially as educated and acculturated blacks were accepted into the groups) so they moved onto the streets on foot. Here they still distinguished themselves from the common revellers by hiring people to carry long lengths of rope which encircled the band. They were always accompanied by brass bands.
By then the black revellers had taken over much of the carnival activity and as the creativity of the designers and the beauty of the steelband music they danced to grew more compelling, the upper classes 'skipped over their ropes' and joined them.
By then the carnival became a truly national 'all a we is one' celebration.
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