- Trinidad and Tobago Carnival – A Brief Overview
- Trinidad and Tobago Carnival: Part 2 – Soca Music
- Trinidad and Tobago Carnival: Part 3 – Steelbands and Panorama
- Trinidad and Tobago Carnival: Part 4 – Fetes!
- Trinidad and Tobago Carnival: Part 5 – Dimanche Gras
- Trinidad and Tobago Carnival: Part 6 – J’Ouvert & Ole Time Mas
- Trinidad and Tobago Carnival: Part 8 – Machel Montano
- Trinidad and Tobago Carnival: Part 7 – Carnival Bands
- Trinidad and Tobago Carnival: Part 9 – Ash Wednesday
This post was originally published on February 3, 2007. It has been updated twice since then.
I was talking to a Brazilian friend a few years ago and she was surprised at some of the differences between our Carnival and theirs. You see it was a few weeks ago when she decided to look and see what costume/band she should play with. She was shocked when all the Trinis were like, whoa you are way too late. You see, here Carnival bands launch their designs in the final quarter of the previous year. Designs go on sale shortly after and the hottest sections sell out very quickly, sometimes within hours, as people put down their deposits. Several weeks before Carnival the actual costumes are ready for pickup with the rest of your deposit. Oftentimes people don’t have the money or desire to pick up their costumes. However since costumes are sized to the measurements of the buyer if you are trying to pick up a costume last minute you may be stuck with one that is 2 sizes too small, or too large.
Carnival bands range from small local affairs to large elaborate franchises. They may focus on Las Vegas showgirl styled costumes, or on imaginative social commentaries and folklore. On Carnival Monday and Tuesday the bands file through the streets along a prior pre-approved route, complete with music trucks with live musicians and DJs. This route passes past viewing and judging points for the title of ‘Band of the Year’.
SIGHTS:
Additional Carnival Band Links:
• National Carnival Bands Association of Trinidad and Tobago
• Trinidad Carnival Diary”
• 2011 Carnival Band Listing
SOUNDS:
Carnival is not just for the adults though 
Before the adults have their time in the sun the children also have their turn with their very own Kiddies Carnival
For many Trinis this is where they first get their taste of ‘mas’ 
I never played in the big Kiddie Carnival but always took part in my prep school’s private one
There I am!
TASTES:
Last month I was invited to participate in the blogging collective “Kwanzaa Culinarians“. Linking writers throughout the African diaspora it includes such heavyweights as Chef Bryant Terry, as well as known foodies like Sanura of “My Life Runs On Food“, ...
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what a great post, i like it
what a great post, i like it
Hey, I was hoping to contact you by email but I don’t see a contact email for you on the site. Anyways, I wanted to let you know that at least one of your photographs have been stolen by this site: www.burdenclothing.com See this link: www.burdenclothing.com/pages/blog/2009/05/10/cook-this-mauby/
I’d advise that you go through the site thoroughly.
I had found 16 of my images stolen. I contacted them and they removed them within 24 hours.
.-= Cynthia´s last blog ..Want to make a Trini Pelau? =-.
Dear Cynthia, thanks so much! Am in the process of updating my watermarks.. *sigh*. Did you send them an email? Sorry about the lack of contact form, going through some backend site renovations, should be back up this week
Hey, I was hoping to contact you by email but I don’t see a contact email for you on the site. Anyways, I wanted to let you know that at least one of your photographs have been stolen by this site: www.burdenclothing.com See this link: www.burdenclothing.com/pages/blog/2009/05/10/cook-this-mauby/
I’d advise that you go through the site thoroughly.
I had found 16 of my images stolen. I contacted them and they removed them within 24 hours.
.-= Cynthia´s last blog ..Want to make a Trini Pelau? =-.
Dear Cynthia, thanks so much! Am in the process of updating my watermarks.. *sigh*. Did you send them an email? Sorry about the lack of contact form, going through some backend site renovations, should be back up this week
Here’s another one: www.burdenclothing.com/pages/blog/2009/04/19/cook-this-sorrel-drink/
.-= Cynthia´s last blog ..Want to make a Trini Pelau? =-.
Hey Cynthia, thanks again. Going through the site. In most cases my watermark is still intact which is usage that I am fine with. But seeing some miscredits so will let them know
as well as if I cfind any with watermarks removed.
Here’s another one: www.burdenclothing.com/pages/blog/2009/04/19/cook-this-sorrel-drink/
.-= Cynthia´s last blog ..Want to make a Trini Pelau? =-.
Hey Cynthia, thanks again. Going through the site. In most cases my watermark is still intact which is usage that I am fine with. But seeing some miscredits so will let them know
as well as if I cfind any with watermarks removed.
Hi Sarina,
I enjoy this carnival series. The Kiddies Carnival looks so adorable.
Hi Sarina,
I enjoy this carnival series. The Kiddies Carnival looks so adorable.
Thanks Tuty! It’s been fun rewriting/updating the series
Maybe next year I’ll share my own kiddie carnival pics as a child 
Thanks Tuty! It’s been fun rewriting/updating the series
Maybe next year I’ll share my own kiddie carnival pics as a child 