For Future Scrutiny (FFS), Letters & Opinion

Carnival Matters

There are quite a number of people who denounce Carnival because of its pagan origins. We must note however, that a lot of the things which we label as ‘Pagan’ today are only considered so out of hindsight; for there was a time when some of these very things were part of the major world religions. As the practices of old religions decline through time and change, to a state of insignificance, the religions, though they were official state religions in their prime, are classified as ‘pagan’ by the other religions which have grown to dominance.

Carnival, which is dear to the hearts of many Saint Lucians, is one celebration that is criticised for its historical meanings. The critics, however, will have to numb the sound of drums and steel pan music before they can have any effect on revellers. Whatever might have been the ancient Egyptian meanings of Carnival or the medieval meanings of Carne Vale (farewell to flesh), what matters more today is the modern West Indian interpretation of the festival from the revellers’ perspective.

During the reign of the West Indian Slave plantations, slaves were not allowed to partake in Carnival. The European slave traders brought Carnival to the Caribbean and excluded the Africans from the celebrations, which were then in the form of elegant masquerade balls. It was not until the emancipation of slavery that the Africans took to the streets in jubilation of their freedom. Drummers, Chantwelles and dancers all took to the streets to celebrate their freedom. The former slaves had transformed the festival and gave it a new meaning which marked the celebration of the end of slavery. The Africans introduced their own elements of music, song, costume, art and dance into the festival which would revolutionise its tone, texture and appearance, for the years to come.

We all know what the slaves looked like during the time of slavery. Their chests, breasts and buttocks were constantly exposed, so there is little doubt that the Africans were comfortable with each other’s nudity and semi-nakedness. They celebrated as they were and indeed, freedom meant more to the African than the European sense of modesty. Nowadays, the critics of Carnival consider the exposure of skin to be an act of vulgarity. The cause for the nervousness and discomfort at the sight of men and women in costume is not widely known however.

Regardless of all the criticisms, Carnival is a celebration for those who embrace the liberty to celebrate it in a manner which gives them pleasure. Carnival is a celebration of freedom and liberty. The Carnival reveller has no interest in the ancient Egyptian connotation of Carnival. They are not interested in celebrating Carnival to drive out winter spirits, in the same way that we do not embrace Christmas as a celebration of the winter solstice. What matters most is what the celebrations mean to us, and not what they might have meant to ancient people who are not even around anymore to enjoy them. With that said… Vive La Carnival!

Allen is a reporter employed at The Voice Publishing Company. He has had a passion for reading, writing, story telling and theater for as long as he can remember. His interest in history, philosophy and the human condition, have inspired him to think deeply about life which has in turn given him many things to write about. He enjoys writing articles which educate, inspire, and enlighten the reader; and articles which provoke the reader to look at things from a fresh and different perspective.Read full bio...

2 Comments

  1. Cut all the bull about what people did in the ancient days, don’t tell me
    that because some obscure religion did it, then you have to use that as
    an excuse today, to exhibit the vileness in your being.The filth portrayed
    there is not something I would ever want (any child) to see; as the saying
    goes – monkey see monkey do – this whole display is demonic – period.
    Even more demonic in nature is when the ‘gay & lesbian’ begin to indoctrinate
    the young in their vile public display of satanic practices, then this country and
    all of the others will witness an abomination for the world to see. You keep it up
    keep on spitting in the face of the one in whose image you were made, and you
    will certainly regret it. God will not be mocked!!! They are playing with fire from Above. .

  2. It is high time and in fact, too long that this awful and disgraceful display of ugliness
    have hung in these pages of the ‘Voice’ and I for one have been offended by it. This
    should not be displayed as something representing our society, a bunch of half naked
    women taking advantage of some mascarade called carnival, passing it as some long
    lost Pagan ritual; well its ugly, mothers and grandmothers should not disrespect those
    and especially the very young with filth such as this. It’s been there too long, I would
    very much appreciate it, if we don’t see it any longer, thank you.

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