Carnival reflections

Every year carnival lovers and authorities find themselves at war with the Church, or perhaps I might better say, some elements within the Church. This year one parson even called the Carnival exhibit/advert at the Roundabout, satanic. I have ever since then been looking at that particular display to try to find out what is satanic about it. It might be that these are satanic times, for even some churches these days are referred to as satanic.{{more}} I must confess, however, that there are some individuals in our society who can best be described as satanic. The battle with the Church is not a new one, for the very fact that Carnival was a pre-Lenten activity left it open to the kinds of interpretations that prevailed. The Carnival period was supposed to be one that allowed people to engage in orgies and other types of bacchanal before the Lenten period that was to be marked by fasting, self restraint, denial and remorse. That was the context in which many members of the Church saw Carnival and still do.

Comments by other pastors were to the effect that carnival encourages people to dress scantily and go revelling, with their conclusion that the festival brings destruction to our nation. It is amazing that quite a lot of despicable things go on in our society on a daily basis, some of it by people whom we consider ‘high up’ in society and some of these pastors remain quiet. I say some, because I am aware that some speak out, even on their pulpits. I say all of this to make the point that what should really be questioned is the direction in which our society is heading. Carnival is not the culprit. Carnival reflects the kind of society we have become and are developing into. Is Carnival responsible for all the crimes, the rapes and abuses that have become rampant in the society? So, if we are appalled by certain actions or displays that we see during the Carnival season, let us get to the source of the problem. Let us join hands in tackling these and the success we gain will spill over into the area of Carnival. It cannot be otherwise.

One of the things we speak about with regard to Carnival is the economic impact it has or should have on the country, but I am not aware that any scientific study has been done to substantiate whatever we feel about it. At one time, many persons used to be critical about the amount of money that was pumped into it, while attracting only small crowds at the Victoria Park. My response to this was always that Carnival was much more than the activities taking place at the park. Have any studies been done of the number of people attracted to or visiting this country during Carnival, in the process making a distinction between Vincentians taking the opportunity to come home and non-Vincentians who have been attracted to the festival either by the general promotion or by Vincentians in the Diaspora?

What is the economic impact? It is clear that our telephone companies do well during this period, providing services that would allow the visitors to stay connected with their homes. What are the other areas heavily impacted on by Carnival? If this has not been done before, it is time that the Government or the Carnival Development Committee undertake it. If the economic impact is seen to be huge, then the Carnival Development Committee will have even more ammunition to attract funding to the festival.

Carnival is not only about money, not only about how it impacts our economy.

It is a cultural festivity and we need to enhance the cultural aspects. The creativity and energy that are displayed at Carnival should be and could be harnessed in the interest of the development of our nation. The kinds of skills and creativity that are displayed during the Carnival season soon disappear, never to return until next Carnival. And so, in between Carnivals it can be said that “…many a flower will remain unseen, wasting its sweetness on the desert air”. The area of Carnival that most interests me is that of the Calypso and really there is a lot of work to be done in this area. We will have to start in two areas, reviving the tents and doing a lot of work on calypso composition. We have been extremely weak in the area of the double entendre which is critical to good social commentary. This has a long and rich history dating back to the plantations. Maybe it is that the situation today demands a more direct response by the Calypsonians who have traditionally been exposing ills in society and telling the people’s story in song. This, of course, has always put them at odds with the powers that be.

Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian.