Carnival Tuesday - THE BIG SHOW - On The Grand Stage 2-12-13
We here at T7 were on hand both big days, but Officially Carnival is the Monday and Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday but celebrations begin right after Christmas. From Boxing Day it is non-stop partying right up until Carnival Sunday.Then the Bands get ready to make their way across stage and into history.
In speaking of the extremely varied history of this event, I found that Trinidad's Carnival has had many influences, that are as different as the mix of cultures and people that inhabit the island.
I found an interesting fact that in 1783 the French brought their culture,customs and Carnival, in the form of elaborate masquerade balls, to Trinidad along with African slaves. The festivities, back then in the length of time between, Christmas and the beginning of Lent was a time for feasting, fancy dress balls, and massive celebration for both the French and British alike. The slaves and servants were banned from such events, so they in turn held their own celebrations in the barrack yards. They celebrated by mimicking their masters' behaviors and added their own folklore and proceedings, but in 1838 when slavery was abolished the the freed Africans took their Carnival to the streets. This history also includes Spanish and English colonial political organizational rule, Indian indentured laborers, and the many other ethnic groups that settled here bought their own traditions to the Carnival Scene.
On Tuesday, The T7 Team went onto the center of the Big Stage in Trinidad , promptly at 8 a.m. to see what can only be described as amazing. At the entrance to the Grand Stage and as far as I could see, even with a 135mm prime lens attached to the end of my Nikon D800, their were Thousands upon thousands of masqueraders who had turn out in full costume. Each band ,some with members in the thousands were ready and waiting their opportunity to dance, one leg up, shimmy,shake,and strut their way across stage and into history.
This is of course in front of the multitude of TV cameras, reporters, and photographers. The bands each with its own historical, mythological or tropical concept with various sections depicting aspects of the prime theme. They are judged in three categories: small, medium and large.as they cross the main judging points, Western Main Rd, St James,Victoria Square, and Downtown though out the city. Then it's the chance to set foot on the Biggest Stage in the World here in Port Of Spain Trinidad. After all the Bands cross the Grand Stage winners are announced and a Champion Band is crowned Masquerade Band of the Year.
Capturing Your Slice Of The World
Editorial by:
T7 Images. LLC
Read MoreIn speaking of the extremely varied history of this event, I found that Trinidad's Carnival has had many influences, that are as different as the mix of cultures and people that inhabit the island.
I found an interesting fact that in 1783 the French brought their culture,customs and Carnival, in the form of elaborate masquerade balls, to Trinidad along with African slaves. The festivities, back then in the length of time between, Christmas and the beginning of Lent was a time for feasting, fancy dress balls, and massive celebration for both the French and British alike. The slaves and servants were banned from such events, so they in turn held their own celebrations in the barrack yards. They celebrated by mimicking their masters' behaviors and added their own folklore and proceedings, but in 1838 when slavery was abolished the the freed Africans took their Carnival to the streets. This history also includes Spanish and English colonial political organizational rule, Indian indentured laborers, and the many other ethnic groups that settled here bought their own traditions to the Carnival Scene.
On Tuesday, The T7 Team went onto the center of the Big Stage in Trinidad , promptly at 8 a.m. to see what can only be described as amazing. At the entrance to the Grand Stage and as far as I could see, even with a 135mm prime lens attached to the end of my Nikon D800, their were Thousands upon thousands of masqueraders who had turn out in full costume. Each band ,some with members in the thousands were ready and waiting their opportunity to dance, one leg up, shimmy,shake,and strut their way across stage and into history.
This is of course in front of the multitude of TV cameras, reporters, and photographers. The bands each with its own historical, mythological or tropical concept with various sections depicting aspects of the prime theme. They are judged in three categories: small, medium and large.as they cross the main judging points, Western Main Rd, St James,Victoria Square, and Downtown though out the city. Then it's the chance to set foot on the Biggest Stage in the World here in Port Of Spain Trinidad. After all the Bands cross the Grand Stage winners are announced and a Champion Band is crowned Masquerade Band of the Year.
Capturing Your Slice Of The World
Editorial by:
T7 Images. LLC
