Bits and pieces of Carnival over the Years
I ATTEMPTED TO research the origin and nature of Carnival going back with the ‘1879 riots’ which is well documented but got only as far as 1872 when the microfilm machines at the Archives expired until quite recently. 1872 was the year when masquerading was prohibited. Attempts to revive masquerading led to the Riots of 1879.
The Barbados West Indian newspaper in response to the riots stated, “In our immediate neighbour we are informed of the riotous behaviour of the mob at Kingstown, St. Vincent, for the last few nights occasioned by masquerading parties which the Police attempted in vain to check. It is said to be a custom introduced from Trinidad, connected with the license permitted during the Carnival in Roman Catholic countries”.
Trinidad historian Bridget Brereton, attributed the origin of Carnival in Trinidad to the French but noted that after emancipation it was taken over by urban Blacks. She said in the 1860s and 1870s the Jamets took over the festivity in order to let off steam and pay off old grievances.
Elements of West African life were introduced. In the recently published History of SVG of which I was a co-author we made note of some of the African cultural practices that were seen at Crop Over which marked the end of the sugar cane harvest, and at Christmas.
WilliamYoung and Alison Carmichael gave examples of these practices. At Crop Over the enslaved assembled in the largest Negro house and danced with the greatest agility. They paraded around the plantations beating the Gumba and tambourines (hollowed out calabashes). At Christmas in 1791 the ‘Negro’ fiddlers and tambourines, along with Stilt Walkers (Muco Jumbo) were very much in play. WilliamYoung noted that whenever an African tune was played, the girls from their huts did “a curious and most lascivious dance with much grace as well as action”. Some of the practices were also recreated in the ‘Negro Yard’ and at the Market Place on Sundays.
If indeed the French were the ones who introduced what became known as Carnival, it is likely that we got it from Trinidad since no strong French presence existed in St. Vincent after British colonisation in 1763. Our relationship with Trinidad existed for a long time starting from the period just after Emancipation and continued into the 20th Century when Trinidad radio stations controlled the airways. Calypsonian Baha Lawrence told me about visits to SVG by Trinidad calypsonians, and similarly visits to Trinidad by Vincentian calypsonians.
He said that some of the Trinidad calypsos actually originated in St. Vincent.
I have already noted that the first Carnival riots were in 1879 in St. Vincent and then Trinidad followed in 1881 and 1884, sparked really by attempts by the authorities to limit and control Carnival. In St. Vincent in 1872 there was a prohibition against Masquerading.
In 1879 the Vincentian masqueraders attempted to defy that ban, starting riots.
Carnival development in St. Vincent was undoubtedly influenced by what took place in Trinidad. The Road marches were at one time the Trinidad road marches.
A Few Highlights From Carnival Over theYears In 1913 the Times newspaper declared boldly that Carnival was here to stay.
It was impressed by the behaviour of the populace over the two days, noting that the few policemen “had nothing to do.” It was in 1913 that Men on Stilts which were normally seen at Christmas made their appearance at carnival. The TIMES however preferred to see the introduction of Children’s Carnival or the Battle of Flowers, two features it noted that were part of Trinidad’s Carnival.
Carnival was banned during the years of the First World War 1914-1918.
It returned in 1919. The TIMES of March 6, 1919, reported, “A revival of the Carnival in St. Vincent took place on Monday and Tuesday last, when fun making was indulged in by all classes. There were three principal bands parading the city on both days besides various small parties…. Hundreds of people from the out – towns came to the city to witness the Festival which was on the whole disappointing.” In 1920 the “Carnival Festivities were enthusiastically celebrated. From the early hours on Monday morning until late on Tuesday night the streets were lively with parading bands.”
1950
A body was formed in an effort to improve carnival.
Chairman of the Committee was George McIntosh whose Workingmen’s Association controlled the Legislative Council. It was indicated that the steel bands had undergone a complete change since the visit of a Trinidad Band (name not mentioned).
“Definite tunes are now being played, and the standard has been appreciably raised.” The Syncopators and Caribbean Boys were singled out for their creditable performances.
For Children’s Carnival the Most Original Costume in Group 1 went to Jefferson Sardine and second place to Renwick Rose who interestingly played Robin Hood. The best calypsonian was Mighty Compellor of George Town, and a special prize was given to Baha Lawrence.
By 1962 the organisation and management of carnival was in the hands of the Jaycees. In 1963 the Calypso King was Caribbean Pete. The Road March went to Lord Hungry, “Cotton gone down, sugar gone down, change the government”. The competition was held at the Peace Memorial Hall. Among the presentations for OLD MASK was one that depicted how a road gang wasted time and government money on a simple road job, and another was a reproduction of E.T Joshua’s political meetings at the Market Square.
Carnival has undergone many changes over the years, some influenced by the Communications Revolution and socio-economic developments. “All Inclusive” parties are now very prominent. Changes will continue but let us retain its cultural essence while accommodation is made to tourism, changing tastes and new forms of music.
We must not forget that it has always been a peoples’ thing.We have to ensure that the development of the Cultural Package gets top priority.
- Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian
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