The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Thompson yesterday defended Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival and called for critics of the festival to abandon their “nationalistic” attitude.

Mr Thompson, a native of Trinidad and long-time Bahamas resident, said some Bahamians’ criticism of the festival were unfounded. He argued that carnival is not something isolated to one country, but is a celebration of international cultures.

Referring to Bahamian Grammy-award winning group Baha Men, Mr Thompson said: “For example, I know that the Baha Men won a Grammy playing ‘Who let the dogs out.’ That was played in Trinidad by a Calypso (singer) who sang it in competition. So it came from Trinidad. Now since the Grammy, what has happened? I haven’t heard any other top songs. The top songs I hear are songs by Ronnie Butler. Maybe I’m not listening, but I don’t hear them.”

Mr Thompson also told The Tribune that the country should not expect immediate success from the inaugural festival, explaining that it took a long time to catch on in Trinidad.

“It could grow here,” he added, “but people have to forget about this nationalistic attitude. It has to be wide open to the various cultures of the Caribbean. That is what it is. That is carnival. It’s not just Trinidad alone.”

Mr Thompson said the government is going down the right path with its plans for the event.

“It would help to make this one a success that they have decided to include the Haitian culture and Cuban culture. Now Junkanoo is different and Junkanoo is ours, but if we’re talking about carnival, we’ve got to be open, and open to other cultures as other countries do. So the point I’m making is that carnival is an international thing where you produce international cultures.”

Last week, Trinidadian Soca singer Machel Montano was named as the final act for Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival concert.

Bahamas National Festival Commission Chairman Paul Major said the singer, who has been dubbed the “King of Soca”, was selected “because he has both Caribbean and international appeal.”

Baha Men founder Isaiah Taylor, in an interview with The Nassau Guardian last week however, expressed disappointment in the selection.

He reportedly said: “…It’s not only insulting for Baha Men or just the musicians of this country. It’s insulting to Bahamians on the whole.”

He added: “You aren’t going to live long enough to see a Bahamian headline Trinidad’s carnival. Not a one of them could tell me they are for Bahamians.”

Yesterday however, Mr Thompson defended Machel Montano’s selection. However, he chided the government for putting too much emphasis on identifying a headline act for the festival, insisting that the true aim of any carnival festival should be to provide ample entertainment for all.

“Montano has not won a Grammy,” Mr Thompson said. “He is known worldwide because he is invited to carnivals all over the world. And Montano is not a one-man show. (He has) a band with singers and usually some very good dancers.”

“You never need a headliner at carnival,” he added. “What you need is entertainment, and to provide enough entertainment for people during that week.”

He also dismissed concern that the festival would lead to immorality through suggestive dancing and skimpy costumes.

“It’s what’s in your mind,” he said. “When you see a fellow ‘whining’ behind a woman, it’s what’s in your mind but that’s part of the dance. Now you have some immoral times, which the cameras, particularly the television cameras don’t worry to photograph. But the ‘whine’ is a dance, and when the people are walking down the road in a band and the music hit them and they start shaking their hips, that is part of the dance.”

Scheduled for performances during the May 7-9 peak of Junkanoo Carnival season are Bahamian artists Ronnie Butler, Baha Men, Visage, and Julien Believe, according to the commission.

A top group out of Haiti and a Cuban band will also perform during the series of events. Soca artists Skinny Fabulous, Olatunji, and Trinidadian artist Bunji Garlin are also set to perform.