The History Of Carnival

The Mas tradition started in the late 17th century with French plantation owners
organizing masquerades (mas) and balls before enduring the fasting of Lent. The
slaves, who could not take part in Carnival, formed their own parallel celebration
called "Canboulay". Canboulay (from the French cannes brulés, meaning burnt cane)
is a precursor to Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, and has played an important role in
the development of the music of Trinidad and Tobago.

Calypso music was developed in Trinidad in the 17th century from the West
African Kaiso and canboulay music brought by African slaves imported to that
Caribbean island to work on sugar plantations. These slaves, brought to toil on sugar
plantations, were stripped of all connections to their homeland and family and not
allowed to talk to each other. They used calypso to mock the slave masters and to
communicate with each other. Many early calypsos were sung in French Creole by an
individual called a griot. As calypso developed, the role of the griot became known as
a chantuelle and eventually, calypsonian.

Soca Music is a fusion of calypso with Indian rhythms thus combining the
musical traditions of two major ethnic groups. Lord Shorty was the creator of Soca.
Soca stands for the soul of Calypso; it is like Red Bull to the ears. It has become a
major art form in the life of Trinidadians today with famous artists like Macheal
MOntano, Kees Dieffenthaller, Destra Gracia, Pratrice Roberts, Nadia Batson and
Bunji Garlin to name a few. Soca music has become a famous art form known
world-wide.

Traditional “Ole Mas” is still celebrated today; it was formed from the mocking
of the upper class through ridiculous imitations. For example Dame Lorriane, the
Midnight Robber, Fancy Sailor, Baby Doll, Jab Molassie to name a few. The reveling
begins from 3AM with the celebration of Jouvert morning with displays of Mud Mas,
Blue Devils, Moko Jumbies and Ole Mas straight into Paracle Of The Bands
Panorama, Calypso Monarch and so on.