Carnival Mas

The roots of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago trace back to the late 18th century. What began as a European masquerade ball tradition brought by French settlers was later transformed by enslaved Africans and free people of color, who created their own parallel celebrations. After Emancipation, Carnival evolved into a powerful expression of freedom, resistance, storytelling, and cultural pride.

The main Carnival takes place each year in Trinidad and Tobago on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, but Caribbean communities around the world have created their own versions to preserve and celebrate West Indian culture wherever they have settled. Carnival is filled with elaborate costumes, steel pan music, incredible food, and the unmistakable joy and energy that only West Indians can bring to a celebration. In the days and weeks leading up to the main parade, the city comes alive with fêtes or parties held both on land and on boats, big mas costume competitions, J’ouvert (the big street party), the kiddie carnival parade, and pan music warming the heart of every participant and spectator.

The main event is the parade, which is made up of numerous bands — sometimes as many as 10 to 15, depending on the size of the Carnival. Each band follows an overall theme that is divided into various sections, with every section featuring its own unique costume design. Together, the sections bring the band’s theme to life. During judging, each section’s masqueraders are given a minute or two to chip and wine — traditional Trini dance movements — while showcasing their costumes for the judges.

At the end of the parade, each band receives a cumulative score, and the prestigious Band of the Year title is awarded to the band with the highest total.

The year 2025 was my first time truly playing mas (short for ‘Masquerader’) in costume. Years ago, I participated with Scotia Band, whose costumes consisted mainly of T-shirts sponsored by Scotiabank, one of Caribana’s sponsors at the time.

This blog post is a compilation of my mas costumes from each carnival I’ve participated in. I’m only getting started, and I look forward to filling this post to the brim with memories and mas from future carnivals.