Port-of-Spain, Trinidad
-
On any given night,
a myriad of pulsating sounds and rhythms, activities and side
events, as well as booths filled with attractive wares from
participating countries, all vied for the attention of Carifesta
visitors to the Grand Market. The history, culture, and way of
life of neighboring Caribbean and South American countries found
expression through their music, dance, drama, art and culinary
dishes from September 22 - October 1, at different locales throughout
Trinidad and Tobago, of which the Grand Market was the main venue.
People were thus given many ways to 'visit' with their regional neighbors without actually
traveling to the respective countries.
Of
the many sights and sounds, every night visitors to the Grand Market
could enjoy the music of the steelpan, the national instrument of
the host country. As attendees stopped to stare at the 'blue
devil' characters portraying an integral part of the Carnival
culture, the sound of the St. James Tripolians steelband lured people away to look up at them
on the elevated platform, where they were housed for the Carifesta festivities.
The band was amplified,
and their sounds
would travel with people as they drifted from one booth to another. When Steel Talks
(WST) is of the opinion that had
St. James Tripolians (pictured)
been more opportunely positioned -
many more people could have been privy to their
musical endeavors. As it was, they were almost hidden from
the view of general passers-by.
But when they were heard, people would make their way through racks from another orchestra, to
the small open clearing where Tripolians were situated. Of the
nights WST
dropped by the Grand Market, there appeared to be only a handful of people
listening and/or dancing to their music at any point in time. But it is hats off
to the musicians who performed with as much professionalism and dedication whether there
was an audience of one, or many more. Their manager,
Keith Simpson was on site, educating those present not only on the
history of the orchestra, and the time period relevant to the selections
which they played, but also about key moments in the history of
carnival and calypso. Mr. Simpson's historical notes were
supported by a large 'jumbotron' showcasing carnival footage of
years gone by.
Other steelband groups
set out almost in the middle of the thoroughfare on alternate nights, such as Merrytones Steel orchestra from Diego Martin, Woodbrook Playboyz and
the national youth orchestra from Antigua and Barbuda
(pictured) - attracted far more
people and crowd interaction when they performed. Carifesta visitors
going past, and on their way in and out of the
booths representing the various countries, also stopped by to take
in the pan music.
Vendors who were on hand
included Suriname's Norine Bolman-Brank
(pictured below left) , who showcased her indigenous
art products including jewelry, costumes and pottery. She has been in the handicraft
business for ten years, with her sons and other members of her
family assisting in her line of work. Alongside in the
same booth was her countryman Bongo Charly
(pictured below center) who specialized in
Handmade percussions. Charly said he had participated in many Carifesta events,
but this
was his first at one held in Trinidad; [for the record, 2006
marked the third time that Trinidad and Tobago hosted the Carifesta
extravaganza]. The craftsman went on to say many people were curious about
the unique instruments, and asked a lot of questions about them, but
not many bought items. "The money remains in their
pockets; people hardly support artists anymore" was the wry comment
from Charly.
Booths were usually shared by two, sometimes
three representatives from a country. In another Suriname booth, one
woman was offering various items for sale, but what captured the attention of
one visitor in particular were the eye-catching wraps. As she
tried on the wrap, the vendor explained that they were made by
different native tribes in Suriname, and the specific designs on the
wraps were unique to and characteristic of each tribe. Also with her, was a lady of
Japanese descent, and as she brought her colleague across to be
introduced (pictured above right), she proudly said that Suriname was the only country in
the Caribbean which boasted its own Japanese population. With
her fellow vendor acting as interpreter, the vendor of Japanese
heritage explained that many of her people had been brought to
Suriname, decades ago. Now their descendants were
a distinct part of Suriname life. In parting, WST
asked the first vendor if she knew
of any steelbands in Suriname, to which she replied "No," but
added that she had many Guyanese friends, and that she was very
familiar with the artform through them.
Along the way there were
more booths
from Guyana, The Bahamas, British
Virgin Islands and more; all had their share of bustle as the Grand
Market crowd
checked out the offerings. Many showcased clothing lines in
addition to other craft. Among those from Guyana were Anthony
(pictured below left)
of Anthony's Creations who dealt in beautiful handmade jewelry; in the
high-fashion world, the ladies of Nathalie's Fashion
featured the exclusive tie-dye, batik and hand painted works of designer Nathalie Ward. Artist Nyota
Killikelly
(pictured below center)
also stood proudly alongside her handiwork when
WST
visited her booth, explaining the concepts of
womanhood visualized and brought to life through the particular piece
she was photographed adjacent to. The British Virgin
Islands' Cheryl Maggiacomo enticed onlookers with a unique line of
handmade dolls, as part of her varied collection of craft for
sale.
Antigua & Barbuda was
well promoted by Annette Michael, the Ministry of Tourism
representative (pictured above right)
who explained the unique formation of the
pure coral that was part of the attraction on the twin-island country's beaches; and at the
Grand Market there were miniature bottles filled with coral sand on sale, among other
mementos. Together with her counterpart, Ms.
Michael took time out to detail the reasons that made her country a
first-class vacation destination. On the night Antigua and
Barbuda was scheduled to showcase its talent and culture for Carifesta, some
members of the national youth steel orchestra, others from their
contingent, and Ms. Michael were all present and ready for their
turn under the lights on the main stage.
While there was music emanating from many
areas in the Grand Market, including the stageside steel orchestras
- it was usually the goings-on on the 'main stage' that grabbed the
attention of many patrons of Carifesta IX. As WST
went past, it was the turn of the Bahamas
contingent to display the talents of their country. And
sharing the spotlight with fellow artists from The Bahamas was a
gospel (pictured right)
band with a great frontline vocalist, as well as a full
choir.
But it is not only those
performances taking place at the Grand Market that were laudable.
The performers took their talents and culture up and down the length
and breadth of Trinidad and Tobago, to share with people who came
out to be part of the experience that was - Carifesta IX.
Scenes from the Grand Market - in Pictures
Basement
Press Corp
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