Traditional Carnival Characters - THE DEVIL BAND - Mrs. K.

Stewart-Wattie

THE DEVIL BAND

The devil band consists of the leader the Bookman and his followers; imps and beasts. These
characters include; Red/Blue Devil, Jab Jab and Jab Molassie. Each character is identified mainly
from their respective body paints, and props. This band is customary played for J’ouvert,
requires minimal costume and accompanied by music and the infamous song – “Pay De devil”
Their main purpose is to ‘scare’ onlookers by either their voices or movement and attempting
to dirty them with their body paint. As atoning for your sins/wrongdoing, someone would pay
the devil to leave them alone from the constant taunting.

The devil band as individual members or a whole would enter relevant competitions for the
Carnival season. Additionally, because of its free spirited nature and minimalistic costume
people of all ages would portray the relevant characters. Within the band stuffed animals,
chains, whips, rope, flambeaux, drums, bottle, spoon and other percussion instruments can be
found.

BOOKMAN

The Bookman also referred to as the Gownman

or Ruler, is a feature of devil mas portrayals. The
other two groups of characters in the devil band
are the imps and beasts. The bookman is the
principal character in the devil band, and, in
keeping with his status, his MOVEMENT is
waltz-like, with constant bowing. An orchestra
of trumpets, saxophones, bass and drums
playing conventional tunes provides MUSICAL
accompaniment.

The bookman's COSTUME consists of Tudor-

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 Traditional Carnival Characters - THE DEVIL BAND - Mrs. K. Stewart-Wattie

style pants, or a richly embroidered gown made of velvet and satin, with a pleated or fluted
bodice, and a flowing cape festooned with biblical scenes. On his head is an oversized head
mask, which contains small horns and carries a demonic expression. The face of this mask is
supposed to mirror the face of the devil himself. The bookman carries a pen and a large book in
which he write the names of prospective souls for the devil.

BATS

The bat costume is normally

 Black or brown and fitted tightly over the

masquerader's body.
 The headpiece covers the head entirely
and is made from swans-down and
Papier Mache face, teeth, nose and
round eyes. The mouth is used for vision
and occasionally the mask is lifted to his
forehead for a breath of air.
 Leather shoes with metal claws for toes
are normally used. Ordinary shoes can
also be adapted by the use of long socks, metal claws and a second sole.
 The wings with a wingspan of 12 to 15 feet are made from wire and bamboo or cane
and covered with the same skintight cloth worn on the body.
 Matching gloves complete the costume.

THE MOVEMENT

There is a bat dance to go with the costume. In performance, the masquerader crawls, flaps,
dances on his toes and folds his wings in a series of choreographed movements, imitating the
bat.

It is said that those who have played bat mas long enough, acquire the reputation of beginning

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 Traditional Carnival Characters - THE DEVIL BAND - Mrs. K. Stewart-Wattie

to resemble the bat.

BLUE DEVIL

This character is one of the oldest Ole Mas

characters; it is one of several varieties of
Devil Mas played in Trinidad and Tobago
Carnival and the most popular. The other devil
characters include; Jab Molassie, Red Devil,
Jab Jab and Bookman. Its popularity has not
lessened because of its inexpensive
costume, audience involvement and
monetary rewards.

The Devil mas’ portrayal is similar to that of

the Devil and his evil traits in the Christian
faith. The characters are painted in blue
colored dye and set out to entertain and
frighten spectators by their movements,
screams, chants, costume and props while pretending to dirty them until they are giving money
to leave them alone. The devil characters move in a band, which consists of the devil, imps
(other characters including persons acting as an animal and a handler for them, fire
blowers, devil holding the net for money and other animated devil characters) animals
(stuffed and or real) and musical accompaniment.

MOVEMENT – the devil characters movements consists of rotation of the hips, head & neck
and sometimes shoulders, acrobatics and eye-catching antics. The stalking like walk of all
the characters gives the impression of an animal stalking its prey. (This lets the audience
know who is approaching) gaite Other movement includes antics using the pitchfork,
flambeau (fire blowing) and interaction with the animals and like animals.

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 Traditional Carnival Characters - THE DEVIL BAND - Mrs. K. Stewart-Wattie

The flame (fire blowing) and the manipulation of it is an important aspect, which allows for
entertainment and fright. It is also synonymous with the devil. This character would put
rum (puncheon) in his mouth and ‘spit’ the liquid on a stick, flambeaux or item that is
already lit and soaked in kerosene or a flammable liquid. This will cause the flame to rise.
At times, he will swallow it and show his tongue as part of his invincible strength to the
spectators

MUSIC – The Devils band has its own percussion band.

The instruments used include; crix tin, bottle and spoon, old car rims and small hand held
percussion instruments. There is a specific rhythm that goes along with the movements of
the blue devil.

STAGE PROPERTIES (PROPS)

 A whistle, which is also used as part of the music

 A chain or rope, which is used to tie around the waist of the animal imp devil to restrain
him as he dances to the music.
 A pitchfork, which is symbolic of all devil mas.
 A live or stuffed animal.
 Flambeaux, rum and kerosene for the purposes of creating the flame.
 A box, basket or net to collect the money.
 Baby dolls and doll heads.

COSTUME

The costume consists of

 A short pants or a pants cut off by the knee and a vest or at times ‘bareback’.
 Horns on his head, which is symbolic of devil mas.
 Blue body paint or dye as the identifying mark and red coloring in his mouth to signify
blood.

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 Traditional Carnival Characters - THE DEVIL BAND - Mrs. K. Stewart-Wattie

 His footwear is normally light and flat to allow for comfortable, easy movement. In
recent times, characters may be seen wearing a jumper (farmer brown) and even
dresses, wigs and scary masks.

The differences among the varied devil mas although distinct have unfortunately become
blurred by some players over the years in movement and portrayal.

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 Traditional Carnival Characters - THE DEVIL BAND - Mrs. K. Stewart-Wattie

JAB Molassie
The JAB Molassie is also known as the Molasses devil.
The musical accompaniment is the
same as the blue devil band.
The movement is low to the ground
(a half bended knee) and gyrations
exactly like the blue devil.

Costume for the JAB Molassie is

 Simple tight fitted brief shorts

 an old pair of shoes
 oil for covering the entire
body, clothing and shoes
 Red for the mouth.
 Horns, a tail and long false
nails of tin.

Props

 Pitch fork
 Satanic Symbols and signs

The purpose of his performance is said to be to embarrass the audience as much as possible.
He stops in front of groups of ladies (young and old alike) and gyrates circular, forward and
backward literally ‘winning down the place’ and he only moves along when he is paid to do so.

The JAB Molassie is also common to Grenada and St Kitts.

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