# data[].attributes.body
Organizing a carnival band requires no less than weeks of welding; sewing; gluing; applying feathers, sequins, foil papers, glitter and lots of creativity, energy, and patience. Initially one has to decide on a theme or overall concept as the basis of the band in order to develop costume concepts, ideas and illustrations for each section of masqueraders. Costumes are then painstakingly sewn, decorated and fitted individually to each person who wears it. This session of creativity goes down in what is referred to in the Caribbean as “mas camps,” where teamwork and organization are vital to successfully produce an award-winning production.

As the larger-scale mesmerizing costumes are the ones that drawn the most attention from crowds, they require bigger frames and are decorated with more material, it becomes increasingly difficult to design and build a costume that has the mobility to cross the stage without falling apart. A host of natural and artificial forms of decorations and materials are utilized in the process of bringing a sketch design to life.

http://www.allahwe.org/History.html

# data[].attributes.body
Increasingly as the years have past Carnival costumes have largely been criticized as the proliferation of designs that have unceasingly emerge annually critiquing the lack of material as no creativity, had become the subject of international discussion. Carnival in recent times has become responsible for attracting a larger tourist influx into the Caribbean as the 'less clothing and more beads,' brand evolved into a once in a lifetime experience parade.

The author in the blog post below raises the question underlying question here i.e. does skimpy necessarily equate to a greater sex appeal?
http://www.trinidadcarnivaldiary.com/does-skimpy-equal-sexy.html

The meme is only one example of the harsh commentary Carnival Costumes have been subjected to.

# data[].attributes.headline
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is observed as a Public Holiday.

# data[].attributes.subject
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is observed as a Public Holiday.

# data[].attributes.body
The annual festival that is declared the two days preceding Ash Wednesday is celebrated nationwide with more than 3/4 of the population as well as the tourists actively participating heavily in the festivities.
The result of that many citizens taking part in the nationwide party, prompts a significant decrease in productivity as a high levels of fatigue plagues the celebrants the following day leading to a reluctance to attend school and work.
The meme below pokes fun at well-known soca artist Machel Montano 2012 Carnival single, 'Vibes Cyah Done,' in which he sings about the festival atmosphere is seemly endless so one would question why go back to work when the 'vibes' i.e. festivites haven't ended.
https://youtu.be/A3geHVrmFnk

# data[].attributes.headline
Typical Carnival Costume in Trinidad and Tobago

# data[].attributes.subject
Typical Carnival Costume in Trinidad and Tobago

# data[].attributes.body
This unique painting by Aisha Leon captures the essence... the deeply imbedded roots by which most islands' heritage and identity derives. It is this shared history that unites the caribbean into this peculiar culture.
An understanding of the Caribbean region's dehumanizing slave-history allows Caribbean people to be viewed in a different light. Every island's distinctive cultural identity was forged and molded through a combination of European colonialists, the African slaves' intricate heritage, and the enduring legacies of the native Indian tribes.
It is this rich history and its deep-rooted influence that sets a backdrop of crystal clear waters and perpetual sunshine to the cultural expression we see and experience today.

# data[].attributes.headline
                                 Birth of the word 'Carnival'

# data[].attributes.subject
                                 Birth of the word 'Carnival'

# data[].attributes.body
The exact origin of the word "Carnival" has been widely disputed, however the general consensus details the Latin expression 'carne vale' meaning "farewell to meat/flesh," proclaiming that those days were the last by which Catholics could feast on meat before the fasting of Lent. The phrase's meaning was also embraced by celebrants as letting go of your former self thereby fully embodying the carefree nature of the Carnival.

# data[].attributes.headline
                                                        Carnival

# data[].attributes.subject
                                                        Carnival

# data[].attributes.body
The English Oxford Dictionary defines Carnival as,
"... An annual festival, typically during the week before Lent in Roman Catholic countries, involving processions, music, dancing, and the use of masquerade..."

The commemoration of carnival encompasses the celebration of life, a festival found in many countries worldwide. The participation and celebration of such an event enables us to attain a greater appreciation about not only ourselves but a lot about accepting and understanding various other cultures.

# data[].attributes.headline
Carnival breathes the formation of a larger general identity.

# data[].attributes.subject
Carnival breathes the formation of a larger general identity.

# data[].attributes.body
Carnival celebrations induces the spontaneous cultural assimilation within celebrants as facet of this new identity as the identity minorities all come together for the sole purpose of enjoying the festival.

Though cultural diversity of the Caribbean as well as all other factors that could impact identity, has been used as an argument that there is no such thing as a single Caribbean Identity, it simply can't be true.

The prior belief stemmed from what some deem the reality of the dissimilarities apparent within the region. Girvan (2001) states that it is fashionable to speak of a Caribbean identity , but it is more realistic to accept that there are many cultural identities co-existing within a society and more so in the region.

It would be ignorant to ignore a Caribbean identity as the following key elements give evidence for the development of such an identity:

-A common historical legacy of slavery, colonialism and now globalization

-A common inheritance of the norms and values of plantation society

-A common high regard for cricket

-A love for music, art and festival

-Similar family norms related to closeness, nurturing, hospitality

# data[].attributes.headline
Role Carnival plays in uniting the various cultural groups within Trinidad and Tobago.

# data[].attributes.subject
Role Carnival plays in uniting the various cultural groups within Trinidad and Tobago.

# data[].attributes.body
Over five centuries, Trinidad and Tobago has taken in waves of Indians, Africans, Arabs, Chinese, Latin Americans and Europeans, in addition to its indigenous tribes, that together have given it a unique cultural and ethnic diversity. The challenge has been bringing together these diverse influences to create a singular ‘Trinbagonian’ identity.

“We try to find a formula that allows everyone to express themselves and represent Trinidad and Tobago,” explains Dr Lincoln Douglas, Trinidad and Tobago’s minister of arts and multiculturalism. “That happens through religion, through music, dance, theatre, film, and other art forms. Those are our cultural manifestations that come out of our way of life which has been forged through all kinds of struggle and the experiences of those who came here.”

Known for its flamboyant carnival, Trinidad and Tobago is bringing together its melting pot of diverse ethnic mixes into a recognisable cultural identity.

http://www.the-report.com/reports/trinidad-tobago/a-caribbean-leader/more-than-carnival-trinidad-and-tobago-the-caribbean-melting-pot/

# data[].attributes.body
Sir Edward B. Tylor’s definition of culture (1871) :-

“Culture… is that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, arts, morals, law, customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.”

# data[].attributes.headline
                                   Carnival's Origins

# data[].attributes.subject
                                   Carnival's Origins

# data[].attributes.body
According to the Nation Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago (NCC):
Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is celebrated before the commencement of the Lenten season. From 1783 for half a century, the French developed their Carnival , which was noted to be a season of gay and elegant festivities extending from Christmas to Ash Wednesday. These festivities consisted of dinners, balls, concerts and hunting parties.

The Africans started to participate in the festivities from 1833 after the Emancipation Bill was passed. The Africans brought Canboulay to its festivities. Canboulay was first played on August 1st, Emancipation Day , but subsequently took place after midnight on Dimanche Gras, the Sunday before Carnival.

In early celebration of the festival by the masses activities were held over the three days preceding Ash Wednesday. However in the face of over 60 years of criticism from the upper class about the low standard of Carnival and strong feelings expressed about the desecration of the Sabbath, in 1943 Carnival on the street was restricted to the Monday & Tuesday.

Carnival celebrations were banned for the duration of World War II. ( Andrew Carr, “Carnival” from David Frost Introduces Trinidad and Tobago, London: Andre Deutsch, c1975 )

http://www.ncctt.org/new/index.php/carnival-history/history-of-carnival.html

# data[].attributes.headline
                                                                                   Trinidad and Tobago Carnival

# data[].attributes.subject
                                                                                   Trinidad and Tobago Carnival

# data[].attributes.body
'King of Carnival 2011'