Why you must visit Trinidad and Tobago for Carnival
One of the most beautiful countries on Earth is about to engage in the largest street party every: and you should be there. Trinidad and Tobago are set to celebrate their annual event known as Carnival, and it is coming up soon. Carnival is traditionally celebrated on the Monday and Tuesday before Lent, so you have a little time to get your ducks in a row to see this amazing event for yourself. But what takes place at Carnival and why is it so special?
Why you must visit Trinidad and Tobago for Carnival
Carnival’s History
The history of this big party is a little murky. Trinidad was inhabited by French planters back in the 18th century. These Catholic slave owners celebrated masquerade balls before Lent began. The plantation slaves also celebrated mask events centered around the sugar cane harvest. Once the slaves were emancipated in 1833, the freed slaves began celebrating their freedom before the Lenten season began, and Carnival was born.
J’Ouvert
Beginning on Monday at an astounding 4:00 a.m., participants immerse themselves in a colorful array of mud, grease, colored powders and paint and then parade throughout the roads set aside for the revelry. The island is inundated with the sound of steel pans playing calypso and soca music. There are venders everywhere, selling some of Trinidad’s amazing tropical drinks and delicious street food (don’t miss Trinidad’s roti, a type of fried bread wrapped around curried meat such as chicken or goat.)
At Carnival, you don’t stand back and watch. You will want to get involved. Anyone can participate in J’Ouvert. Our advice? Wear a white t-shirt and some comfortable shorts and jump in to the celebration!
You can also join in with the next stage of the 2-day celebration, but it’s going to cost you. To fully immerse yourself into the culture (and the party) you need to join in with an official band that is participating in the main event of the day on Monday: Pretty Mas.
Pretty Mas
Around 11:00 a.m. it’s time to head to Port of Spain. Here you will find band after band assembled. These bands are the major participants in the masquerade parade to come. The bands, and their thousands of dancers, will dance their way through the streets and eventually pass the event’s judging committee. By the end of the event, the Band of the Year will be chosen.
To join a band, you will need to ask for an invitation. If you want to participate in one of the more popular bands, you can expect to shell out some real cash. Your money is well spent: some of the bands provide you with an all-inclusive experience that includes an elaborate costume, access to a truck of bathrooms that accompanies the band, meals, drinks and more. Prepare yourself: you could end up spending a couple of thousand dollars by the time you are finished.
How will you pay for this? When you consider the price, travel to the islands and accommodations, your best bet may be applying for a loan to cover your costs.
Trust us: it’s worth it! Immersing yourself in Trinidad’s Carnival is going to be one of those benchmark events that you will be able to talk about for the rest of your life.