Trinidad Carnival – The Greatest Show on Earth!
On March 4th-5th 2019, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), will celebrate Carnival – our most spectacular national festival. Second only to Brazil in terms of size, the T&T Carnival season begins the day after Christmas and culminates in a wild 2-day street parade that takes place on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, just before Lent. T&T Carnival is not only a celebration of costumes and revelry but also the creativity, culture and history of our diverse nation. My Trinidad Carnival Guide will help newbies learn about how we celebrate this awesome festival every year!
Trinidad Carnival Origins
Carnival was brought to TnT in the 18th century by the ruling French elite who colonized the country after the exit of the Spanish. They brought their cultural traditions, language, and dress. One annual tradition included masquerade balls and parties – called fetes, at the plantation owners’ houses. These balls required guests to dress in elaborate costumes and disguises. The African slaves who were forbidden from participating, celebrated in their own quarters – mocking their masters’ behaviour and dress. This led to the creation of some of the earliest traditional forms of masquerade or ‘mas’. Let’s take a look at some popular ones below!
The Dame Lorraine
This Carnival character imitates the 18th-century French planters who would dress in the styles of the French aristocracy. The slaves re-created these costumes using available materials, exaggerating the dress and proportions of the French ladies.
Jab Jabs and Jab Molassie
Jab is French patois for Diable (Devil), and Molassie is derived from Mélasse (Molasses). These are 2 forms of devil ‘mas’ played at Carnival time. The costume consists of cut-off shorts, horns, chains with locks and keys and a pitchfork. Bodies are covered in mud, black grease, or red and blue dyes. The devils dance to rhythms beat on tin pans by imps. An imp holds the chain and tries to restrain the Jab Jab as he terrorizes spectators with his screams and fierceness!
Image Source: Warren Le Platte
Image Source: Maria Nunes 2017 Photography
Wild and Fancy Indians
These Carnival characters are based on the native tribes of North America. The Wild Indians dress in leather and animal skins.
The Fancy Indians dress in costumes with brightly coloured feathers.
Moko Jumbies
My favourite traditional Carnival character! The moko jumbie is a West African creation portrayed by masqueraders mounted on stilts up to 12 ft. high. The word Moko is derived from an African god and Jumbie means ghost. Image Source: Maria Nunes 2017 Photography.
During the Trinidad Carnival season, before the parade days, you can participate in a range of activities. Music lovers can enjoy visits to various steel pan yards around the capital city, Port-of-Spain, and attend the Panorama competition – a battle of the top steel pan bands in the country. There are also competitions for local music art forms such as calypso, chutney and soca.
History buffs can attend the re-enactment of the Canboulay Riots of 1881, at Piccadilly on the Greens, Port of Spain on the Friday before Carnival Monday. This event showcases the origins of the Trinidad Carnival street parade. Canboulay (Cannes Brulees), signifies the period of burning sugarcane during slavery. Visitors can view a skit depicting the clashes between colonial police and parade participants. Stick fighting, jab jabs and African dance and drumming are also shown.
Major costume competitions before the Carnival Monday and Tuesday parades include the Kings and Queens of Carnival and Kiddies Carnival. See below for shots of the Carnival Queens and Kings Competition by talented local photographer and my friend, Damian Luk Pat !
Carnival Queens
Carnival Kings
Party! Party! Party!
Party animals can choose from a wide range of Carnival parties called fetes to attend. These fetes range from all-inclusives – where you have premium food and drinks for a set price or fun cooler parties where you walk with your own drinks in a cooler, no glass bottles allowed. Trinidad Carnival Diary provides a comprehensive guide to help you choose the fetes of your choice, including tips on how to dress!
Learn to dance!
Practice “wining”i.e. gyrating your hips and bum to soca music. You’ll feel sexy and your significant other will thank you too! For a fun demo, see my fave Youtube dancer Cassandra!
Join the Fun!
Carnival Monday
J’ouvert , or daybreak from the French (jour-day, ouvert-open) marks the official start of the 2-day Trinidad Carnival street parade that starts at 2am and ends after sunrise. Revelers smear their bodies in mud, clay, chocolate and coloured paints and dance to soca and calypso music. Your package would include a band tee-shirt that you can customize. See the video below from the band Clay J’ouvert for a taste of the action! A list of popular bands can be found here. If you think you have what it takes to play J’ouvert, clean up, then head out to the Monday parade at 10am, power to you!
Do I wear my entire costume on Carnival Monday?
No. The full kit is worn on Carnival Tuesday. Many bands issue what is called “Monday wear” to their masqueraders in addition to the full costume. If your band does not give you any, ladies can wear parts of the main costume with a pair of hot shorts. Guys can wear the costume shorts and vest. Alternatively, you can purchase designer Monday wear to rock on the day! Check out Trinidad Carnival Diary for ideas.
Carnival Tuesday
Miss Universe 1998, T&T’s own Wendy Fitzwilliam in Harts Carnival band
Tuesday is THE big day! Everyone is in full costume and looking fabulous. Bands gather their masqueraders from as early as 6am at selected meeting points and make their way to the main stages at the Queens Park Savannah and Socadrome to parade in front of the world. The costume presentations are judged by panels at various locations around the city to determine which company will win the Band of the Year title. Driving? I recommend parking at the Movietowne cineplex, then making your way to the Socadrome and Ariapita Avenue to view the bands passing by!
Ladies from the Harts Carnival Band
My Trinidad Carnival Guide Prep Tips!
BLISS Carnival 2017 by Damian Luk Pat
- If you can’t make it for the entire Carnival season, try to make it for Carnival Monday and Tuesday!
- Book your flight up to 6-7 months in advance! Fly directly to Port-of-Spain, Trinidad from major hubs such as JFK New York, Miami, Orlando, Houston, Toronto and London Gatwick airports.
- Accommodation – major hotels in Port-of-Spain such as the Hyatt Regency, Trinidad Hilton, Kapok Hotel, Courtyard Marriot, Radisson OR Air B&B to scout for inns and bed ‘n’ breakfasts around Port-of-Spain, close to the action! Note: accommodation tends to be booked solid from as early as April of the previous year!
- Familiarize yourself with soca music! Popular DJs such as Private Ryan, provide mixes on Youtube. Also, look up music from artists such as Machel Montano, Destra, Fay Ann Lyons, Bunji Garlin and Kes
- Choose a Carnival band and your costume! Bands launch their presentations according to a particular theme, from July for the next year. Top bands include Bliss, Harts, Tribe, Yuma, Fantasy and Passion. Bands usually make collection arrangements for foreign masqueraders so have no fear!
- Get your diet and fitness in gear! You will need stamina to keep up with the parties, dancing, “chipping”(shuffling in time to the music) on the road from early morning to late evening.
- Make hair and makeup appointments as far in advance as possible OR practice doing it yourselves to save $$$
- Get durable sneakers or matching boots for your costume. Break them in beforehand!
- Ladies, get flesh-coloured stockings/tights to give a polished look to your costume. These can be bought at a store called Micles at all major malls in T&T
- Home-made costumes are a definite NO. Wristbands are issued to masqueraders to show that they belong to a particular band. No wristband = No play. Avoid the embarrassment of being ejected by security!
- Sunblock is a must as this festival takes place in the dry season
- Spectators, be discreet and walk with the bare essentials – some cash, your smartphone and/ or camera, photo ID. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry
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62 Comments
Ellie
at 11:32 AMThis looks crazy good! Pictures look incredible. I thought that Barranquilla Carnaval in Colombia was the second biggest but maybe every country claims that title haha!
Melissa
at 5:20 PMThose costumes are incredible. What a fun event this must be. I loved reading about the history of it. It definitely gives more meaning to the costumes and to the event itself knowing the backstory of how it began.
amit
at 11:22 AMI would love to visit Trinidad and Tobago in general, but looks I now the best time to come 😀 – I love carnivals and I would love to experience this one now after reading this post. I have to say, your photos really bring it to life for me 😀 ..So Febuary time you, I think my diary is free haha …Great post 😀
amit recently posted…Long-term solo traveling: Feeling lonely
Ritika
at 5:35 AMi havent seen anything as colorful as TRINIDAD & TOBAGO CARNIVAL.. luv ur pictures and wanna pack my bags immidiately..looks like a place to go crazy…glad u had such a great time
Shruti Prabhu
at 5:28 AMThe carnival is so vibrant! I did not know about this one! Thanks for the tips. Yes, stamina is the key with attending carnivals and parties. No glass bottles allowed. Gotta remember that.
Restless Heart Blog
at 1:35 PMThe festival had to be an amazing experience! I always wish European carnival season was during summer, it is much easier to put on costumes … 🙂
Followingtherivera
at 6:54 AMThis is so much fun, and I’d love to see it just to see all those wonderful costumes! I like the history behind it too, as I know the religious significance. Some really vibrant photos and full of energy!
Catherine
at 12:35 PMLive your thorough guide. Carnival definitely seems like the time to visit T&T!
Medha
at 9:22 AMI love how colorful the carnival is! And weird too, in bits, haha. I’d love to get some flashy colorful clothes myself and join the parade 😉
Penny Protopapa
at 9:17 AMThe costumes look absolutely amazing!!! The carnival seems like a bucket list thing!! 😉
Isadora Koller
at 8:00 PMGosh…and I thought that Carnaval in Rio was already pretty cool…hahahah These costumes look amazing, so rich and colorful!
golden goose
at 3:11 PMThanks so much for giving everyone an extremely spectacular opportunity to discover important secrets from this web site. It’s always so amazing and also jam-packed with amusement for me personally and my office peers to search the blog more than thrice a week to read the fresh guides you have. And indeed, I am certainly impressed concerning the great tricks you give. Selected 3 points in this posting are definitely the best I have ever had.
Julianne
at 3:16 PMWow – your photos in this post are so colorful and vibrant! I’ve known about Carnival in Rio for a long time, but didn’t know much about the one in Trinidad & Tobago. It looks incredible!! Oh boy, another event to add to my bucket list. 🙂
Sarah
at 3:26 PMYour photography for this is outstanding! Thanks for allowing us to see such culture!
graphics designing
at 12:12 PMThank you very much Jamie for your article.
Victoria Hawkins
at 7:18 PMIt’s Victoria 🙂
Nina
at 7:13 PMWow, the costumes at this festival are amazing! They’re so vibrant!
Stefinia
at 5:04 AMWow!! … splendid costumes at the Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, it’s mind blowing. I was laughing when the slaves wear costumes exaggerating the proportions of the french ladies(: … the Jab costume, especially the horned one blowing fire is so splendid!! And the Native Indian costume loved the colourful feathers!! … It’s definitely a fun carnival parade, spectacular. You have explained the history behind this well, it’s a very interesting read and photos just give us the full picture of this amazing Carnival!!
Stefinia recently posted…How To Get Softer Skin Naturally By Using Home Remedies For Softer Skin
Victoria Hawkins
at 10:56 AMThank you so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed the post.
Megan at Lush to Blush
at 8:22 PMThis looks like so much fun!! I’ve always seen pictures from Carnival and thought it looked so cool. I’ll have to make it there one of these days!
Jasmin
at 3:49 AMThis carnival looks like so much fun! I love the costumes and the fire breathers. Gotta admit that I had never heard of it before but would definitely want to visit after reading this.
Jasmin recently posted…Is It Worth Travelling Central America During the Rainy Season?
Alice Ford
at 11:01 AMWow. This looks like a ton of fun. It’s definitely on my radar now for a Post Christmas Holiday.
Natasha von Geldern
at 9:14 AMWow how amazing, I would love to do this!! I’ve been to the Notting Hill Carnival in London but this looks like something on another level entirely!
Louise
at 6:04 AMWow, what colourful, eye-popping photos! Such great costumes. I love a good carnival – I’ve been to Rio and Notting Hill but am always eager to hear about new ones. I love your tips at the bottom too, very useful!
Orangewayfarer
at 3:22 AMThis is beautiful beyond words. Such colorful pictures with new experiences. I am from India and never knew about this festival. I want to go there. Now! Thanks a lot for this much appreciated blog post
Karlie
at 12:07 AMVery informative, thank you! The colours are so fabulous!
Kris
at 8:26 PMAll of these costumes are fantastic! I particularly like the ones that are modeled after the fancy French dresses. I didn’t even realize that Carnival was celebrated here, but now I’d really love to experience it.
Victoria Hawkins
at 8:57 PMIt’s truly a sight to behold and experience!
ada
at 6:32 PMI read before that TRINIDAD & TOBAGO carnival is one of the best one in the world! I would love to go there one day and experience it! It must be amazing! Dancing, music, colourful outfits! Just amazing! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful tips! I love all those photos!
Anna
at 5:40 PMI love the way you write! It really felt like I was in the middle of the carnival 😀
It certainly looks like a riot of colour and music – I’d love to visit one day. Thanks for the advice!
Caroline
at 5:39 PMWow, I had no idea that it was so big! It looks so festive! I love the ornate details of all the costumes and floats – would love to see it all in person one day. Thanks for sharing insight into the history and culture behind it!
Richelle
at 10:29 PMWow this is amazing! I’ve always wanted to go to Carnival, and now I REALLY want to go. Great photos!!
Olivia
at 6:22 PMWhat an amazing experience. very elaborate costumes too!
Rosalie
at 1:11 PMHow exciting! I love how you’ve captured the all of colours and vibrancy of the carnival 🙂
Rosalie // rosaliegoes.co
Roxana J Guy
at 1:50 PMLove the vivacious colors. These pics were amazing. You really felt like you were experiencing these as you looked at these images. Great article!
Amber
at 8:06 AMI’d love to go to Carnival! I always see pictures, and it looks amazing to be a part of. Thanks for giving the history and background on it. Now, I’m even more excited about going.
Victoria Hawkins
at 10:14 AMIt’s truly an amazing experience. Hope you can make it sometime!
Mea Wong
at 1:34 PMLol! I’ve said awesome a lot times! it just really is. 🙂
Mea Wong recently posted…Beauty Buffet Milk Plus Skincare Products Review
Mea Wong
at 1:33 PMWow, awesome photos! The carnival parade is an awesome festival, and I’ve bookmarked this already 🙂 The costume parade for the Kings and Queens are awesome 🙂
Alexandra Trif
at 6:12 AMDon’t know when exactly I a going to make it there, but it is definitely something to remember. I did not attend any of these kind of festivals before unfortunately and I am a bit jealous. But thank you for sharing this amazing experience.
Nikki | The Traveling Ginger |
at 8:29 PMHow epic! I love the history behind it, mocking the masters behind their backs! Excellent. I love all the costumes, you have captured them beautifully. Sounds like an incredible few days of celebration!
Johanna Frejoles
at 1:07 PMWow, you have great festivals there too! I’m from the Philippines and we also have A LOT of festivals here. I would love to visit Trinidad and Tobago one day. 🙂
Karen Palamittam
at 12:28 PMReally amazing and colorful. Love the costumes.I have heard about the carnival in Rio but not heard about the Trinidad & Tobago Carnival before.So thanks for sharing!
D of Love C and D
at 10:06 AMWow what a great post, Absolutely stunning photos. The Carnival in Rio is on our bucket list (we visited too late last year) but I had no idea there was one in T&T. You’ve provided some great tips and really useful background information on the history and make up of the festival. Thanks for sharing.
D of Love C and D recently posted…48 Hours in Brighton
Marvi
at 9:24 AMI’ve attended several parades such as this before, but it was not the same as this! Such color and diversity! I’m pretty sure the actual parade is as good as the photos looks! 🙂
Anastasia
at 10:52 AMI had no idea about the size and beauty of the festival in Trinidad and Tobago – in fact, I know so little about this country. Your pictures are gorgeous.
Victoria Hawkins
at 11:54 AMThanks so much!
Geemiz Travel Guide
at 8:12 PMI am so intrigued by this and looks like really fun affair. everything I think is in here colors and quirkiness.
Victoria Hawkins
at 11:55 AMIt’s a really fun and amazing time to be in Trinidad !
Diana
at 11:31 AMAmazing! It’s celebrated already for so many centuries! That’s why it looks a bit wild 😀 I also heard their dances are the sexiest of the whole Latin America, is that true? 😀
Victoria Hawkins
at 11:53 AMHi Diana, we’re not a Latin American country but the dancing that takes place during Carnival time when people are free gets quite wild and sexy!
Dave ( Silverbackpacker )
at 7:11 PMSuch colourful costumes. I can imagine the lively atmosphere there . It must be one carnival that can rival Rio’s.
Victoria Hawkins
at 9:35 AMIt’s the only one!
Danielle
at 9:44 AMHoly Cow this looks amazing! I have never been to such a thing and would love to go. The colors of the costumes and how extravagant they are is amazing. This is some festival! Going on my bucket list.
Victoria Hawkins
at 9:36 AMBucket list item for sure girl!
Shenna
at 9:52 PMI have never seen such a festival like this.! 🙂 Wow for the costumes and if people would visit, they would not regret to see the festival in this area. Thanks for the bulleted tips 🙂
Joy Generoso
at 2:28 PMWhat a colorful carnival. Amazing photos! You definitely captured the moment perfectly. 🙂
Jennifer Schlueter
at 12:38 PMSo many thanks for this! Very informative. Can’t wait to go there and dance hehehe
Megan
at 12:15 PMI vow to get to Trinidad and Tobago for this one of these days!! Looks like a crazy and epic time!
Morgan
at 10:10 AMSuch colorful and fanciful costumes! I didn’t know T&T had a carnival. I’ve never been to one and definitely adding it to my list. xx Morgan
Victoria Hawkins
at 10:23 AMIt’s a heck of an experience. Come on down next year!
Yuva
at 5:28 PMGreat insight into the local culture … you offer tour guide services or know of where one can procure a tour guide that can bring you close to the action if one cannot be part of the action?
Makes me excited to play!