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Figure 2:  Masqueraders of Hart's Band- Carnival 2013

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Figure 2:  Masqueraders of Hart's Band- Carnival 2013

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Hart's was one of the earliest "bikini, beads & feathers" bands in Trinidad

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Video 8: Soca infused with African Rhythms

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Video 8: Soca infused with African Rhythms

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Devon Matthews & Ella Andall - D Journey (Make It) "2017 Soca" (Trinidad).

A reminder that the journey defines us more than the destination.

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Devon Matthews & Ella Andall - D Journey (Make It) "2017 Soca" (Trinidad)

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Official] http://Julianspromos.com / Subscribe: http://tiny.cc/YTubeSubscribe | In Loving memory of Arlene Jackman Soverall & Selwyn Matthews Artiste: Devon Matthews & Ella Andall Produced By: Anson Soverall Addition Guitar by: Matthews "Eddos" Edwin Background by: Keoné Osborne Mixed and Mastered by Jabari "Shawt Boss" Winchester ___ For Email Blasting & Advertising costs contact: Julianspromos@gmail.com or 1-718-431-5410 (Chandy) Join Mailing List: http://tiny.cc/MailingLists (Like)http://facebook.com/JulianspromosTV Email: Julianspromos@gmail.com http://www.UbersocaCruise.com http://facebook.com/julianspromos (Personal Page) http://instagram.com/Julianspromos | @Julianspromos View Featured Advertised Events: http://tiny.cc/FeaturedEvents

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This course provided evidence to one of the most intriguing and burning question i had which was, "Why as a nation and a region are we so separated?"

Having a minimal knowledge of Caribbean History, I was encouraged to make links between prior knowledge and new information which helped answer my question- we are the way we are not so much because of our history, which is a clear justification, but because of our mentality as human beings: our desire, selfishness, greed.

It also drew to my attention how underrated certain aspects of our culture is in Trinidad due to the uninterested behaviour of the population especially when many of our ancestors underwent terrible hardships for us to stand on the land that is home as free man and women. On completion of this course, especially with the coursework assignments, I have developed a greater love and respect for my nation- it's culture and history which really is revolutionary.

I have walked away wiser, with the desire promote and encourage my own culture but to understand those of other nations as well, and ravenous to add to my store of knowledge on the Caribbean Civilization.

April 17, 2016

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This festival started in 1965 as a celebration of black culture and a showcase of Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival costuming which eventually expanded to include other Caribbean countries' cultural aspects.
The Soca background music  in the video shows the spread of Trinidad's culture internationally.

November 1, 2015

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Notting Hill Carnival 2015 Official No.1 Carnival Highlights (4K)

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Notting Hill Carnival 2015 in 4K, the very best Carnival highlights in the world! Check out all of the craziest Carnival action from the 2015 Notting Hill Carnival with our yearly highlight video brought to you compliments Black Mamba Energy @blackmambaenergy The annual Notting Hill Carnival is the 2nd largest Carnival in the world and this year was no exception with attendance figures for the 2 day festival running into the millions.

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What Does Carnival mean to Caribbean Culture? - Benefits

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What Does Carnival mean to Caribbean Culture? - Benefits

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In Trinidad today, Carnival is a reflection of the faces of the many immigrants who have come to this island whether willingly or unwillingly. It stands as a reminder of what resulted when syncretism and hybridization of the many different cultures of the varying ethnicities merge together, where European, African, Indian, American and Asian influences have been particularly strong.

To the young it is a lesson and to the old it is a reminder of their roots and culture.

During this period, one can often find that stronger friendships and greater respect for the many cultures that make up Trinidad are in abundance as communities work together to give the festival life. Carnival therefore stands as a reminder that unity can be achieved and conflict reduced if all groups learn and encourage tolerance for each other as well as appreciation where possible.

On a regional scale, Carnival encourages a sense of Caribbean nationalism as it promotes cohesion through appreciation of music and festivities. It brings to light the cultural differences of each island to each other and more importantly, it has opened the eyes internationally and globally to Caribbean culture when Caribbean diaspora practice aspects of Caribbean culture away from the mother countries.

(See Videos 5, 6 & 7)

April 16, 2017.

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Video 4: "Destra vs Lucy" by Destra Garcia

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Video 4: "Destra vs Lucy" by Destra Garcia

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Social commentary in Soca form- Carnival is celebrated and appreciated as part of Trinidadian culture.

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Destra Garcia - Destra VS Lucy "2017 Soca" (Trinidad)

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Official] http://Julianspromos.com / Subscribe: http://tiny.cc/YTubeSubscribe | Written By Destra Garcia & DrewThoven Produced By DrewThoven Background / Additional Vocals By Kerry John, Destra Garcia & Natalie York Edited By Brian Morris Mastered By Andrew Deny ___ For Email Blasting & Advertising costs contact: Julianspromos@gmail.com or 1-718-431-5410 (Chandy) Join Mailing List: http://tiny.cc/MailingLists (Like)http://facebook.com/JulianspromosTV Email: Julianspromos@gmail.com http://www.UbersocaCruise.com http://facebook.com/julianspromos (Personal Page) http://instagram.com/Julianspromos | @Julianspromos View Featured Advertised Events: http://tiny.cc/FeaturedEvents

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Video 3: Jean & Dinah by The Mighty Sparrow

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Video 3: Jean & Dinah by The Mighty Sparrow

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Social commentary that celebrated the liberation of Trinidad from the US and paved the way for socially and politically conscious calypso that facilitated Trinidad's independence.

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Video 5: The Andrew Sisters cover of "Rum and Coca Cola"

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Video 5: The Andrew Sisters cover of "Rum and Coca Cola"

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This cover of Lord Invader's calypso became popular in the America's and led to the global recognition of calypso as a component Caribbean culture. Importantly, it drew attention to the Caribbean and it's unique culture
1944

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The Andrews Sisters - Rum And Coca-Cola 1944

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The Andrews Sisters - Rum And Coca-Cola 1944

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Video 6: Lord Invader's "Rum and Coca Cola" 1943

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Video 6: Lord Invader's "Rum and Coca Cola" 1943

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Covered by The Andrew Sisters in 1944 which led to the Caribbean being identified with Calypso

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Música: Rum and Coca-Cola Interpretação: Lord Invader Durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial, aproximadamente 20 mil soldados ficaram lotados em Trinidad, para evitar uma possível invasão. Infeliz com a situação um músico local usando o pseudônimo Lord Invader criticou a invasão comercial americana com um calipso intitulado Rum and Coca-Cola.

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From Trinidad to the Region- The Calypso Evolution

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From Trinidad to the Region- The Calypso Evolution

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Soca and Calypso are in abundance during and are an integral part of Carnival celebrations. Importantly, they share roots. Like Carnival, Calypso has African origins and shares the characteristics of West African music in terms of rhythm, structure and function (self-expression and communication).
During slavery, as a method of resistance, calypsos were sung to mock enslavers. Post-Emancipation, calypsos became a form of social commentary on current events within the country and were often humoured satires or instigators of social conscience.

The 1970'a saw the decline of Calypso and the evolution of Calypso into Soca- pioneered by Lord Shorty who infused Calypso with East Indian beats and instruments. In today's society, reggae, pop, R&B and rock all have influences on Soca and while Calypso is limited to Carnival, Soca is played all year round.

Importantly, Soca and Calypso have positive impacts on nation-building and Caribbean integration as it has managed to  assist Caribbean governments in fostering a sense of local nationalism in the Commonwealth Caribbean. It has been recognised as a Caribbean musical form rather that solely Trinidadian and it is common in the region for artistes to collaborate and to visit islands to perform Soca and Calypso for their festivals.

(See Video 3 & Video 4 for audio examples)

April 5, 2016.

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n.d. Artdrum.com. Accessed April 1, 2012. http://artdrum.com/ESSAY_CALYPSO_MUSIC_HISTORY.htm.

2017. Discover Trinidad and Tobago Travel Guide. March 2. Accessed March 10, 2017. http://www.discovertnt.com/articles/Trinidad/The-Birth-Evolution-of-Trinidad-Carnival/109/3/32#axzz4eqOIiJ2T.

n.d. History of Carnival. Accessed March 10, 2017. http://www.ncctt.org/new/index.php/carnival-history/history-of-carnival.html.

2014. National Carnival Comission of Trinidad and Tobago. Accessed April 2, 2017. http://www.ncctt.org/new/index.php/carnival-history/history-of-carnival/history-of-calypso.html.

2015. Trinidad Carnival: a Guide for 2016. Accessed March 10, 2017. http://www.discovertnt.com/articles/trinidad/carnival-guide-2016#axzz4eqOIiJ2T.

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Link 1: Collection of Mac Farlane's cultural revival pieces

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Link 1: Collection of Mac Farlane's cultural revival pieces

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This link takes you to a collection of costumes based on history, culture and style

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Video 2: Collection of traditional Masquerader Costumes.

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Video 2: Collection of traditional Masquerader Costumes.

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From Carnival on March 10, 2010

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Trinidad Carnival - Traditional Masqueraders

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As time progressed, Carnival costuming began to stray away from traditional caricatures of the plantation upper-class and traditional African masquerades and became more intricate and expensive, and bands increased in sophistication and size. The result of this was the retreat of lower-classes from celebrations and their adoption of J'Ouvert where the only requirement was mud. In more recent times, costumes have adapted the Brazilian-style of beads and feathers and the true meaning of costumes (mask and headdress feathers as African symbols of human ability and spirituality) is lost. The exception lies in small groups and certain designers , such as Brian Mac Farlane, who focus on revival of lost traditional costuming for a multitude of comprising Trinidadian cultures.

The co-relation between costuming and location within Trinidad should also be noted. In the 1920s, major celebration occurred in Port-of-Spain in Independence Square and the Queen's Park Savannah. Carnival Celebrations have spread across Trinidad since that time and focusing on the Central Region, it can be noted that while Carnival is celebrated on a smaller scale in these areas, costumes lack the degree of intricacy and sophistication as in Port-of-Spain and there is a greater emphasis on J'Ouvert which now includes paint.
(See Figures 1 &2, Link 1, Video 2)

March 27, 2017

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Video 1: 2016 Canboulay Re-enactment in Piccadilly St., as captured by C News

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Video 1: 2016 Canboulay Re-enactment in Piccadilly St., as captured by C News

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C IN CARNIVAL: CANBOULAY RE-ENACTMENT 2016:

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The Canboulay re-enactment took place early on Friday morning in Piccadilly. Crowds started to gather as early as 3am to get a prime viewing spot. Soyini Grey was up very early to watch the street pageant, and she files this report.

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Derived from the Latin for "Farewell to flesh," Carnival is a pre-Lenten celebration in Trinidad and Tobago that began in 1873
with the French upper-class and their pre-Lenten masquerades and balls.
The enslaved were restricted from these celebrations and formed their parallel, Canboulay, which was recognised on Emancipation Day by torchlight processions and reinterpretations of African music, drumming rhythms and masks and headdresses and, representations of their treatment under slavery.
Canboulay was officially made to coincide with pre-Lenten celebrations a few years after Emancipation.
This was the precursor to Carnival as is known today.
(See Video 1 Canboulay Re-enactment)

March 21, 2017

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Carnival is reputed internationally as "the greatest show on earth." A closer look shows that it is rich in history and symbolism as not only does it display the uniqueness and creativity of the culture in Trinidad and Tobago, but it brings people together as a nation.
In this portfolio, the origins of Carnival will be identified, its evolution in terms of music and costuming will be investigated and its benefits to culture highlighted. the portfolio will end with a reflection of feeling and opinions of the Caribbean Civilization course for the 2016-2017 Semester 2

March 21, 2017

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Figure 1: A masquerader from  BLISS Carnival Band House 2017

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Figure 1: A masquerader from  BLISS Carnival Band House 2017

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An example of the Brazilian-style beads and feathers costume adopted into Trinidadian Carnival

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Anthropologist E.B Tylor, 1871, defined culture as "that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, arts morals, laws, customs and habits, and any other capabilities acquired by man as a member of society."
The Caribbean is pinpointed as having one of the most unique cultures as it is one culture that possesses the greatest degree of cultural diversity.
It's uniqueness in diversity is due to the fact that there are many different ethnic groups with their own unique culture, the traits of which they may or may not have chosen to share, which ultimately pool together to form a "melting pot" that is the Caribbean culture.
The Caribbean culture is therefore perceived as a collection of learned behaviours specific to the region and, like many cultures it is transmissible and dynamic.
Expression of one's culture can be seen through a variety of means, the most common being festivals.
In the Caribbean, the multitude of festivals are the result of the influence of many different cultures and in Trinidad and Tobago, the most well-known is Carnival.

March 16, 2017.