The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

ANTICIPATION and excitement is building amongst the faithful group of Bahamians planning to jetset this month to Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago.

Scheduled for February 20-21, the popular regional event is generating great local interest. Several Carnival bound revelers told Tribune Entertainment they are ready to go "get on bad".

"I cannot wait. I always wanted to go to Trinidad and Tobago Carnival from the moment I saw pictures and video clips of the celebrations. My Trinidadian friend always persuaded me to go in the past, but I could not find the time to plan a decent trip. She always told me about the excitement they have. Now I am tired of hearing about it. I am ready to dance in the streets (in costume). My plans are to drink as much as I can, get on bad and act crazy," said Lisa.

Carnival is a major cultural event on the T&T annual calendar. In addition to the main street parade, known as mas, there are a number of other events, like jouvert and calypso competitions.

"No one has ever told me not to go to carnival. I heard their stamina for partying over there is at another level. Trinidad Carnival is the place to be because it is just so liberating. During the street parade instead of just staying on the sidelines, you can become a participant," Neil said.

Carnival is also celebrated in other cities around the world. However, Candace Rolyat said Trinidad's carnival is the "best in the Caribbean".

"There is nothing like Trinidad Carnival. I attend every year I am in Trinidad. I have not attended since 2008 because I am off to school in Miami. The experience is liberating, exciting, and full of energy. It is not just two day event, but a whole season which starts at the end of December."

"I go to many fetes (parties) then I play mas. There is also something called jouvert which is a type of road mas but is held early in the morning and consists of many silly or folklore costumes and especially paint," said Candace.

"I don't go to jouvert because I do not like paint in my hair. I have played mas since I was three years old and I loved it. It is so much fun to wear a costume and dance how you want. Drink what you want and eat whilst being in the company of fabulous friends and being around other masqueraders who come to enjoy themselves as much as you. So far, I have attended two fetes, but I will not be playing mas on the road since I will not be in Trini," she said.

Louis, another Trinidadian living in the Bahamas, said she will be missing all of the festivities this year.

"Ever since I was a little girl, my father took me to Carnival. As a child I played mas all the time. But if you do not want to get pushed, or you do not want to get mashed up, do not join the parade. People are just liberated, they do not care how they act, they do not care what they say, they are just having a good time. The next day or so everyone goes back to their lives, and it is like nothing happened the day before," she said.