Trinidad government spends TT$100 million on Carnival 2011

Trinidadian revelers

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — The National Carnival Commission (NCC) has pumped a staggering TT$100 million (US$15.8 million) into Trinidad and Tobago’s 2011 Carnival.

NCC chairman Kenny de Silva said the money injected is expected to generate in excess of $1 billion in business for Trinidad and Tobago, as the country moves to make Carnival a profitable and viable business.

The Trinidad Guardian reported that De Silva said hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, airlines and other businesses would benefit from the staging of the two day festival.

“Carnival generates $1 billion according to a study undertaken a few years ago. It is quite possible we could exceed this figure this year. There are different spin offs from Carnival,” De Silva said, adding that Carnival was one of the biggest tourism products Trinidad and Tobago showcases, “with thousands of visitors coming to our shores who will be carrying back the message of what we offer.”

Of the $100 million spent, de Silva said $45 million will be distributed in prizes, $52 million went towards the building of two stands at the Queen’s Park Savannah, while the remaining $3 million will be expended on security services, meals, refreshments and stipends for judges, construction of the vendors’ booths, setting up of a Carnival village and preparation for all NCC’s venues.

De Silva said the NCC has ensured that taxpayers get their monies’ worth.

Meanwhile hundreds of patrons booed the announcement that Machel Montano had won the 2011 International Power Soca Monarch competition, making off with $2 million first prize.

The results were revealed at around 5.30 am on Saturday, long after the marathon show had started at 9.30 pm on Friday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.

The Trinidad Express reported that, while many patrons expressed delight over Montano’s victory as they exited the stadium, even more were crying foul, saying Iwer George, who placed second, was the true winner.

During Montano’s performance of “Advantage”, a large portion of the audience kept chanting “Iwer, Iwer, Iwer” every time Montano instructed the band to lower the music for him to speak to the patrons.

The people jumped and waved as Machel sang, but from the moment he began to speak, they started chanting George’s name.

Earlier on, George had sent the entire audience wild with his performance of “Come To Me” in which he appeared above the audience in a cherry-picker, customised to look like an airplane.

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82 Comments

  1. Hannibal
    April 21, 2011

    Trinidad carnivalhas run off the track years ago. It now traken on a form that is more palatable to th e politicians. When we examine the istory of carnival we will seeathat this was a medium for serious social commentary. Individuals and bands would portray the people in high office, especially those who had fouled up in some way. The mas was played by africans mostly and the bits of african culture that could recalled was displayed intermingled with culture of the French great house. Calypso was also a serious watcdog over politicians and the career of many of the many politicians have beeen butccered bythe stinging lyrics flowing from the calypsonians pen. Siignificant amounts of histry could be found among the archive of calypso. The calypsonian would give his impression of the society of thed ay, he could of made you or break you. His is still a deadly art form, but more and more he is fading into oblivion. We are now listening to a proliferation of jump and wine offerings that brings little or no value to the society. Most people have already forgotten what was this year’s road march. Politicians are now rewardingone liner songs and songs promoting abuse of alcohol with millions of dollars in prize money. Whatever happened to ole mas competitions where all the current baccnalia among national personalities would be carricatured? Politicians could’nt take the jamming. That gone! The musical accompaniment for the carnival parade is now from DJs offerings blsting from a BIg Truck. Creatitvity gone out the door. No more steelband on the road, Tambu Bamboo is a thing of the past. costumes are impoerted from China. When you have seen one band, you have seen all. The real interesting spectacle in Trinidad carnival is the raelly fabulous women and their sesatioinal gyrating of their well shaped hips. Boy, dem girls could really wine. Wining does make anybody look good, especially if you have in a couple drinks.

  2. Who is dat fool boy talkin' 'bout 46 deaths on one day and more than 50 deaths evry carnival
    April 1, 2011

    Who is dat damn fool boy who talking about 45 deaths on carnival monday and bout over 50 dearhs every carnival? Boy yuh chupid or wat? At yhis time we having the most crime we ever had and we only had about three deaths over the whole carnival time. Dotish people hacing a field day with this topic. I learnt something though, I never knew Dominica had a carnival. so maybe your mktg needs a little push. But don’t expect many Trinis because of the same dates. Tradition is nice for the sentimental and all dat, but yuh cyah go in de shop AND USE IT AS CURRENCY so screw that! However, please note, ther continues to be a significant amount of traditional mas played in TT carnival backed mainly by Gov’t money. Now, if we want to claim we start carnival ( although I never heard of such a claim) so what? Ent dey teach we dat Columbus and raleigh dem guys was heroes and wre the first peole to dsicover we islands? And we did lap up dat BS? Dominicans can claim fame for thei exotic mountain treats or even for some ah dem crazy arse sounding mas ah never hear about. But one love, our diversity could create plenty opportunity. We had all yuh boy Skerrit in Tobago not too long ago and he made a real good impression. Nuff respect to de honourable one. Love ya.

    • Who is dat fool boy talkin' 'bout 46 deaths on one day and more than 50 deaths evry carnival
      April 1, 2011

      Lapo Kabwit? wha is dah one boy? Tell mih more. In T&T we does still play we Dame Lorraine, Jab Malasie, Blue Devil, Bookman etc. But like all yuh fellas have something different in DA. Leh we talk about dat and see we if we cyah make ah money out of it. Tell mih more.

  3. Gopher wood
    March 9, 2011

    Much ado about nothing

  4. Trinbagonian
    March 9, 2011

    All this ole talk about Trinbago and Brazil and how we didnt start this and we does do that. You know what alot of the bad mouthers not doing, they arent sharing any ideas or suggestions they only bumping they gum, waste of time. We didnt always have it easy in Trini but we persevered and continue doing and trying new stuff always looking for a way to improve. so dont get tie up if we see something in Dominica Carnival and we could apply it to ours and improve ours we will. Be more open to what is being done. Look at it and see what best practices we have that would add to your Carnival.

    • Piper
      March 9, 2011

      That is all well and good, but in 10 years people will have to remortgage their houses to play mas. Now Kamla dishing out $2 million prizes like she getting money from under stone (while plenty people scrunting). What you think the artists go ask for if they know they can make that kinda money in dem kinda competition? They now raise de bar to the point where it go cost $600 to see a show in general admission. How many poor Trini can really afford dat?

  5. Ghij
    March 9, 2011

    @Politrics

    where ever you did your research it was writin by trinidadians. Carnival in the Caribbean started in a group of islands around the same time. During that time they were french and creole speaking..Trinidad invennted the pan but not whst is Carnival go do your research more please. This thing started from the free Afro Creoles not AFRICANS. they were already born into slavery my friend. When they got free they took to the streets singing in creole. Trini was French for a lil time but sorry dear the islands that were creole n French were at it b4 TNT. If u read ur info from wikipedia then that’s sad cause anybody can edit info on that site u just need to sing up for free to edit anything. So once again Caribbean Carnival started in a group of French creole islands. Dominica was part of that group. Your source is wrong only thing I see on point is the oil drum thing. They invented pan and calypso but not j’ouvert and Val. Sorry

  6. Careful
    March 9, 2011

    Admin is not Dominican, so this story is not surprising to me. Can he be truly passionate about our carnival as we are? Or else this story would have been saved for later down in the week.

    In the meantime, Dominicans need to stop bringing down the country for everything else that appears bigger or better.

    Our carnival is unique. What works for Trinidad may not work for us.

    We are the jump-up free up type. Not necessarily to be parading in a costume looking all pretty. For us its the sensae, lapokabwit, and blackie. This is the ‘free spirit’ of our ancestors.

    Hence why we call it the ‘real mas’, traditional mas. A portrayal of their reality, myths and African ancestry.

    Of course there is a lot to learn from Trini so that we can improve an upgrade,

    But we got to understand that our carnival is unique to DOMINICA. So stop bringing down what we got people.

    Admin: the assistant editor who approves and post all stories (and who is actually writing this) is a Dominican

  7. dominican always
    March 9, 2011

    after reading this piece something struck me the words lucrative and profitable and to me thats what the local dominican public cant come to terms with we want more jobs better distrubition of weath yet we want carnival to be for dominicans only its not market properly we want to compete directly with other countries with a sub standard product interm of organisation and music quality

    • BossLa
      March 9, 2011

      music quality? STFU!!

  8. Piper
    March 8, 2011

    @ Buwo.

    Most bands allow outsiders to shake a leg in their band under certain circumstances:

    (1) You must behave yourself in their band
    (2) You cannot harrass the masqueraders
    (3) They will not allow outsiders to take over the band (a few people are OK – not 1000 people)
    (4) You must get out of the band as they approach a judging station. At that point the masqueraders fall into their respective sections.

    I remember a few years ago playing mas in Trinidad and this guy was harrassing this woman who was in costume. The band marshalls warned him to behave. He didn’t. I saw two strapping marshall pick this guy up from his feet and tossed him out of the band. They literally had him flying out of the band.

    On the good side, when you pay your money to be in a band, no outsider can come and mess with you. This is your band to enjoy for two days. To be honest, when I was a teenager, that rough and ready carnival was Ok, not I prefer the Trini style where you dont have people pushing and shoving you all over the place.

    • Emailie
      March 9, 2011

      lol honey u still had people pushing around in the band yesterday in Trinidad… it not the general system of trini-carnival it is up to the Band to provide the security…some bands had ropes, some didn’t and had it free for all.

    • Trevor Tossy Johnson
      March 9, 2011

      They don’t allow outsiders in their bands. When you pay over $2,700 to play mas you expect others to join in for free. You cannot even play jouvert for free these days.

  9. sanshororow
    March 8, 2011

    @ PEACE

    OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE STOP THE LIES PLEASE!!!!!!! TRINIDAD NEVER INVENTED CARNIVAL!!!!!!!!! THE FRENCH BROUGHT CARNIVAL TO THE ISLANDS THE FRENCH CREOLE SPEAKING ISLANDS WHEN EMANCIPATED FROM SLAVERY HAD CARNIVAL TRINIDAD IS JUST THE BIGGEST ISLAND TO EXPLOIT IT.. THE WORD J’OUVERT IS FRENCH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!! THE WORD FETE IS FRENCH AS WELL. THE FRENCH CREOLE SPEAKING ISLANDS WERE 1ST TO HAVE CARNIVAL MY FRIEND.THAT IS WHY DOMINICA STILL HAS THE ORIGINAL CARNIVAL WE FOLLOW TRADITION… RIO GOT CARNIVAL FROM THE EUROPEANS WHO BROUGHT IT DOWN. RIO IS THE BIGGEST CARNIVAL IN THE WORLD. TRINIDAD IS NOT ORIGINAL ANYMORE THEY ARE MIMICKING RIO AND IMPORTING COSTUMES FROM CHINA. I KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!!!!

    • sanshororow
      March 8, 2011

      YOU PPL WANT TO GET RID OF WHO WE ARE AND EXPLOIT THE CARNIVAL BASED ON ANOTHER CULTURE WHICH IN MOST WAYS ARE NOT OURS.. I AGREE WE NEED TO FIX CARNIVAL BY BETTER ORGANIZATION ATLEAST 11 MONTHS B4 CARNIVAL AND NOT 2 OR 1 MONTH B4. BETTER ORGANIZATION AND MARKETING BUT MARKETING TO PROMOTE AND NOT COMPETE!!! IF WE PROMOTE OUR SELF AS BEING ORIGINAL WE WILL STAND OUT!!! TRUST ME. WE DO NOT NEED TO SELL THE FLAG FOR CHINA IMPORTS AND RIO HALF NAKED WOMEN. WE COULD FUSE THAT MAYBE BUT NOT DO THE EXACT SAME THING.. THATS JUST LAZY!!!

    • Anonymous
      March 8, 2011

      You are so right. I’m Trinidadian and we have no culture. Everything is imported.

      • Ghij
        March 9, 2011

        Lmfao I was not insulting trini culture cause they do have culture it’s a melting pot!! BUT!! y’all carnival moved to match Rio soo much where I’d the Originality and tradition?? Y’all don’t even play lapo Kabwit no more Or ever.

  10. Just Giving My Two Cents
    March 8, 2011

    Good story DNO. Nice to see some contrast as to what i have seen of Dominica’s Carnival. If we take so much pride in our carnival, we should learn to market it better. Carnival in most other countries is not just for the locals… it has become international and a money making event! It attracts persons from all walks of life.

    Last night I was watching the news – and of course mention was made about Rio’s carnival, and even Trinidad. This morning i was listening a popular radio station and again…these places were mentioned. Guess what? I have never ever heard about Dominican carnival except from the mouths of Dominicans.

    I say is time Dominica gets on the map – We have an amazing creole fest – this needs to be marketed way more, and way better. We supposedly have an amazing carnival – well from what i have seen- just a bunch of wildness and chaos. Carnival and still be made cultural and local to Dominica – but it should also be geared at the outside world.

    I say enough with all the parlay, parlay and it’s time we step up the plate. I don’t expect Trini’s level because D.A is just not capable of such right now…but i expect better..and YES WE CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Trevor Tossy Johnson
      March 9, 2011

      In fact, most Trini’s don’t even know that Dominica has carnival on the same date with them.

  11. Anonymous
    March 8, 2011

    Remember that Trinidad has:
    1. A population of 1.3 million.
    2. A lucrative oil and gas industry.
    3. Their own airline.
    4. Been promoting and developing Carnival as a tourism product for a very long time.
    None of these things happen overnight. Dominica has a very good Carnival all things considered. As we try to develop it further we must take care that it becomes something we really want and not something we hope will make more money but then we can’t live with.

  12. Robert Tonge
    March 8, 2011

    1,000,000,000 this is one billion the VAT generated would equal $150,000,000 WIN WIN

    • Sassy
      March 9, 2011

      Blah, blah, blah

  13. sniooozer
    March 7, 2011

    @ Jah my boy sell your flag.. i agree we can have our carnival more organised but not in that way over there.. They sell theirs long time.. They just wanna be another Rio.. We dont.. Ok we Original and I love it that way not only me. I have Lucian friends Antiguans and Bermudians who love it too they say it diff and they dont have to spend an arm n a leg just to enjoy it.. the only reason i couldnt come this year is school. but yah Ill be there for WCMF. Our Carnival just need to be more organised but in no way to compete.. The Originality attracing ppl its just that we doh have no where to put them and no way for them to come.. they want 1 flight not 2 and 3 and a overnight stay.

    • jah
      March 8, 2011

      what flag have to do with it and if it so original why so many want to change the dates? because if you change the dates then it is no more original, it will just be another festival to drink rum like creole festival. Flag?, a false sense of patriotism my boy. great so you know your priorities, carnival will always be there my friend.

      • sanshororow
        March 8, 2011

        You are the one who considering changing the dates. Its always the DIE ASS POOR Dominicans that want to change the dates not the ones back home.. There is not a great demand for changing the date. Sell you flag @ Jah Trinidad have oil and can afford to promote their Carnival next to Rio we cant do anything like that overnight. Their population in the million what is ours? Please!!

        • jah
          March 8, 2011

          then if you just want it to be a dominica thing then all well and good, and don’t complain. who said I want to change date my friend, guess you could not undertsand what was written eh, I was just saying what I have heard for the past three years, I am one that will never support changing dates my friend. and try to make your point without insults, it just shows your ignorance my friend. Because you fly your flag in a car and your boxing gloves what does it mean? nothing my friend.
          “Sell you Flag@jah Trinidad”, I like that, will have to start using that as my new name, you want royalties for it too?, you good sanshororow! peace

          Oil?, Dominica have bananas and cocoa and grapefruits and paroah 8)

  14. justice
    March 7, 2011

    I coming full speed to see our jouvert and parade photos i seeing trini ting and how much they spend……TT carnival dont interest me one bit….where my sewo ppl photo

    • Me
      March 8, 2011

      Well well Dominican!!! Thanks for your comments….you make me feel right at home…….We are so raw with our expression. No matter what mood I am in when I read some of those comments I just crack up. P.S > I am missing the canival but as Dominican always does it –Enjoy the canival for evey one that are not able to be there. :-D

  15. mind your business
    March 7, 2011

    Don’t you people have a life? You there talking about how much trinidad spending on carnival and how many murders they have! That is none of your business! You think they have a website in Trinidad talking about DA? Leave the people alone and mind your own damn business!

  16. Muslim_Always
    March 7, 2011

    Carnival is the pagan pilgrimage/hajj lol.

    May Allah guide our people, some say it’s culture, some say it’s liberation from slavery, what a joke!

    Do you call ‘going down in someone’s suss liberation?’ Do you call half naked women free?

    Do you call drunk people, having illegitimate sexual relations which increases the rate of HIV in this country freedom and liberty?

    The evils far override the good in this pagan festival. Money is not all! Also, money in capitalist countries do not trickle down to the poor.

    • RAMA
      March 8, 2011

      Didn’t your “prophet” go down on underage girls even before they had pubic hair?

      • Muslim_Always
        March 8, 2011

        Oh go scrub your teeth you filthy infidel. May Allah grant you what you deserve for insulting His Holy Prophet. The Prophet Muhammad never had relations with a woman under the age of puberty.

    • Anonymous
      March 8, 2011

      Tell Abu Baka to do something about it!!!!

      HE is a Trini Muslim and is well known for holding up d Country to listen to his demands.

      I wonder why Trinidadians have not listened to him and all the Muslims it have there in T & T.

  17. jah
    March 7, 2011

    catch a plane and go see it and spend some money in DA, don’t blame DNO for not bring pictures.

    • justice
      March 8, 2011

      lol if we could we would. but we cant afford them high ticket and nasty customer service liat want o give us so we doh have a choice. Thats y we depend on DNO to keep us updated….. :-D

      • jah
        March 8, 2011

        DNO has no right to bring it to us, it is a privilege if they do and we will all be thankful.

      • Man..Man
        March 9, 2011

        Ha, Ha , You can get a Ticket from Skeritt,to come down.. :lol:

  18. mouth of the west
    March 7, 2011

    DOMINICA CARNIVAL IS NOT CULTURAL ANYMORE….IS JUST WHINING AND SHOWING OFF THEIR BLACK A^%!! OUR CARNIVAL IS NOT WORTH INJECTING ANY MONEY!! NOT EVEN THE CUSTOM THAT IS NICE AND ATTRACTIVE…

    CARNIVAL DOMINICA IS A WASTE OF TIME AND I NEED TO LEARN TO DRIVE SO THAT I CAN WORK ON THESE 2 DAYS AND NOT WASTE MY TIME SITING AT HOME BECAUSE IS DOMINICA CARNIVAL IS SH*&!!

    • sniooozer
      March 7, 2011

      WELL GO TRINIDAD MY BOY!!!!! TAKE THE RISK !! NO BODY TELL U TO TAKE PART IN DOMINICA CANRIVAL AND IT IS CULTURAL WE STILL HAVE SENSAYS AND STILL HAVE OLD MASS.. BOY MOVE UR RASSSSSSS U FAKANICAN

      • Some Dominicans
        March 9, 2011

        LMFAO!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

    • Emailie
      March 9, 2011

      Once agian mouth of south you really talk like your name

      Dominica carnival is way more cultural that trinidad carniva…go see for urself…that money injected in the carnival is fully political..get to know what is happening before you open ur mouth!!!! the tnt government spen ah whole heap of money for a band they called the peoples band so people who could not afford a costume to jump up…they had 8 hi fi truck for that band and drink galore….carnival tuesday that band serve ONE PERSON….talk about wast of money…..

  19. diasportress
    March 7, 2011

    but dno pas feble……..for u guys to post pics of jouvert and carnival monday….you guys tlkin bout TT carnival…..dont u know u are basically marketing for them and not yur own…come on man….plp in the diaspora want to see our own

  20. mouth of the south
    March 7, 2011

    didn’t we have a problem for our carnival being so close to trinidad’s,,, but it seem we have jus decided to have it the same time as trinidad,,,,, now who’s idea was that,,,, i think it would be more profitable to have our carnival much later or earlier than trinidad n have some good marketing to get it going n profitable,,,,

    • sniooozer
      March 7, 2011

      MY BOY FROM THIS COMMENT YOU JUST MADE I KNOW FOR A FACT NOW YOU GUYS KNOW NOTHING ABOUT DOMINICA AND CARIBBEAN HISTORY AT ALLLLLL.

      We didnt Follow Trinidad Carnival we never did. Trinidad Dominica Haiti and Brazil have Carnival the exact same 2 days b4 Ash Wednesdays it has been like this for over 100 Years.. You too backwards my boy this is tradition!. We cant move it cause all the other islands moved theirs already there is no other available slot. plus WHY SHOULD WE MOVE OUT CARNIVAL WE CANT COMPETE WITH BRAZIL NOR TRINI AND WE ARE NOT COMPETING!! This is Culture and Tradition..Dominica Canrivals has vertualy no Deaths. Trini ever year atleast 50 on just 1 day. Lmfao. I remember in 2005 They had 46 on just Carnival Monday and they were still going where as in Dominica I think we had 1 and Carnival was done!! they shut it down on the spot. We dont play that game here.We have the original Carnival Trini Carnival is a wanna be clone of Brazil Rio Canrival.. They still cant touch Brazil. Stop looking at themman and worry about us.

      Trinidad have oil it seems you guys 4get this.. They can afford to spend spend spend.. when the oil go we will see who boss.

      • mouth of the south
        March 7, 2011

        i had no problem with the originality of our carnival,,, but at this point of development everything can be made profit of,,, so as an aspiring business man/woman i was talkin from a business stand point,,, the hoteliers n many restaurants n guest house owners not forgetting bus drivers and locals alike would benefit significantly from good marketing of our carnival n getting at least 10000 foreigners to visit specially for these two days,,, the reason why the carnival can be much earlier or later than trini is bcuz they have that pull n name every year over 100000 foreigners visit trinidad for that occasion,,, so why try to market to people who already have hotels booked in port of spain,,, makes no sense,,,,

        • sniooozer
          March 7, 2011

          You dont get it…. where would u put Carnival? look at the other islands that moved their canrival.. the best time apart from the lens season is during summer but guess what other islands in summer. and it is tradition.. dapwe all that competing with trini…It’s the ppl like you i cant and will never understand.. Trinidad lucky them man have oil and they get de chance to be a melting pot.. they have big airports big hottels.. they chose to 4get how mass was and follow Brazil.. u ant us to follow brazill too why dont u make a band n do it and order costumes from china like trinis do..1st u say we following you didnt even know the history of the festival. We cant compete with Brazil and Trini ok then what? move it too close to WCMF or too far? cant do it in summer. Our Carnival different from theirs.. if u wanna go trini then go no one forcing u to come D/a u ppl make me vex best allu sell the flag and 4get about the damn ting

      • Peace
        March 8, 2011

        Excuse dear, while you may not appreciate or even like Trini people or their culture, please do not disrespect them by stating that they are “mimicking” Brazilian festivities. After all Carnival was created in Trinidad! I agree that you must have pride in your Dominica because she is great and abundant in beauty :) but do not do so by tearing down another land.

        • sanshororow
          March 8, 2011

          @ PEACE

          OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE STOP THE LIES PLEASE!!!!!!! TRINIDAD NEVER INVENTED CARNIVAL!!!!!!!!! THE FRENCH BROUGHT CARNIVAL TO THE ISLANDS THE FRENCH CREOLE SPEAKING ISLANDS WHEN EMANCIPATED FROM SLAVERY HAD CARNIVAL TRINIDAD IS JUST THE BIGGEST ISLAND TO EXPLOIT IT.. THE WORD J’OUVERT IS FRENCH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!! THE WORD FETE IS FRENCH AS WELL. THE FRENCH CREOLE SPEAKING ISLANDS WERE 1ST TO HAVE CARNIVAL MY FRIEND.THAT IS WHY DOMINICA STILL HAS THE ORIGINAL CARNIVAL WE FOLLOW TRADITION… RIO GOT CARNIVAL FROM THE EUROPEANS WHO BROUGHT IT DOWN. RIO IS THE BIGGEST CARNIVAL IN THE WORLD. TRINIDAD IS NOT ORIGINAL ANYMORE THEY ARE MIMICKING RIO AND IMPORTING COSTUMES FROM CHINA. I KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!!!!

        • Man..Man
          March 9, 2011

          TRINIDAD,CARNIVAL,IS ONLY SIMILAR TO BRASIL, WITH THE GLITZZ.BRAZIL’S CARNIVAL IS ,SAMBA SCHOOLS , WHICH DANCE TO PRACTICED,STEPS.TRINIDAD’S CARNIVAL IS DEPICTIONS OF DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF PAST AND PRESENT EVENTS. AND ALSO THERE ARE SECTIONS THAT DEPICT TRADITIONAL MASS(IT IS CALLED OLD MASS). AND STOP FUSSING ABOUT WHO CARNIVAL IS WHAT..EVERY COUNTRY DEVELOPS WHAT THEY HAVE,HOW THEY WANT 8)

        • Politrics
          March 9, 2011

          @ Shanshororow. How in the world could some of you ever know what you’re talking about! You’re too hell bent on trying to prove a point that you’re not willing to consider anyone else’s opinion. I understand however if your mental instability makes your mind too weary to handle other thoughts than the insatiable ideas that you’re sitting here attempting to impress on the world. If someone else has a concept in mind and it may be incorrect don’t incite a wild tirade by hyping up yourself, instead just let them SPEAK! I can’t fathom a world where people aren’t allowed to share their thoughts in a civil manner without being verbally abused by dogmatic persons who believe that he/she is God’s gift to intellectual opinions.

          Just a note, Carnival was actually started when African slaves mocked the French slaves masquerade balls. This also lead to the creation of instruments such as “bottle and spoon” and the steel drum/pan (Trinidadian!). The French brought their balls yes, but it was the African slaves, whom I researched were actually in Trinidad, who would mimic their balls by trying to dress as they did and parade through the streets during the night. Trinidad still portrays traditional mas on Carnival Monday night, and their are still many bands that do the same on Carnival Tuesday. Different kinds of costumes however just seem to be the preference of most of the population. Brazillian carnival actually started long after!! That is all.

        • Politrics
          March 10, 2011

          correction: when African slaves mocked the French colonizers’ masquerade balls**

    • jah
      March 7, 2011

      understand the meaning of carnical before you open your clappers. date of dominica carnival have nothing to do with Trrinidad carnival mouth of the south. do your homework first padi bopes

      • Ms. chin
        March 7, 2011

        Trinidad also has an international airport. And money is put out in marketing their carnival. It is better organized and better costume makers.

        For the carnival they need to build stands on the pottersville savannah not everyone wants to be standing
        all night. Dominica’s carnival needs to be showcase as a tourism product. Dominica has to come better because of T&T, J.A. St.Lucia,Antigua and Grenada also change their dates for their carnival. Everyone is looking out for a profit. Money also needs to be spend towards security services at the shows.

        We also need to support our steelbands.

        • Anonymous
          March 7, 2011

          sniooozer, I support the light that you have shed on this issue of Trinidad, Rio, and Dominica. Often times some people try enter the big league without taking into account that when you are entering a race you ned back up. I reall y don t understand what mouth of the south is trying to say. Thank god that you put some sense in the head of mouth of the south. Atleast, I hope you did.

        • sanshororow
          March 8, 2011

          MS CHIN SORRY WII BUT BUILDING STANDS!!!!!!!???????? SORRY TO TELL YOU BUT THIS IS CANRIVAL WE DO NOT WANT TO SIT DOWN AND WATCH PPL JUMPING UP WE WANT TO ENJOY OUR SELF AS WELL.. SO FOLLOWING TRINIDAD WITH THEIR STANDS AND PPL SITTING DOWN WATCHING PPL HAVE A GOOD TIME IS FOOOLISH! WHO WOLD COME TO WATCH THIS WHEN THEY CAN JUST GO TO BRAZIL OR TRINIDAD TO SEE THE SAME TING? NOT UNIQUE!! IF U COME DOMINICA CANRIVAL 99.999 % OF THE TIME U ARE GOING TO BE IN THE MIX NOT JUST SITTING DOWN AND WATCHING.. LOL LAUGHABLE… LOOK AT NY LABOR DAY AND CANADA THEY FLOP IT CAUSE THEY DONT WANT PPL TO JUMP UP LOL THAT FLAPPING SO BAD.. SEE WHAT I MEAN? NO ONE WILL COME FOR THAT WHEN THEY CAN DO THAT IN RIO OR TRINI.. LETS BE OUR SELF WE JUST NEED TO BE ORGANIZED BETTER.

  21. Anonymous
    March 7, 2011

    We are not interested in what trini does, please show us something of our own, after all man

    • jah
      March 7, 2011

      who we? speak for yourself “nobody”, . example example live and learn, you spend to make and stop trying to change the dates, give a bloody good product and you will get the peopel and make money. di you see the meaning of the story, oops sorry you must be a LBS, surface only, no depth.

      • sniooozer
        March 7, 2011

        Jah u are a damn foool.. if u wanna know about trini canrival google it and go to their site.. We dont have incom like the oil island of trinidad.. we dont exploit our ppl and spend over 1 million to have nicki manaj perform but yet their ghettos bigger than roseau.. We doh want D/a like them man with over 150 Murder ever year we doh want that Rio wanna be canrival. we have the original carnival and anyone can join in

        • Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm
          March 7, 2011

          150 muders per year…last figure i saw in December last year was 487. They about 80 already this year.

        • jah
          March 7, 2011

          sure original but just being original and not giving a good product means nothing and does not bring people and income, seems you just like Anonymous and did the get the message in the story. try to get ahead with your brain and not insults. raise your thought level to the next stage and go deep and think beyound what you read. BTW a fools always know another fool. The story had nothing to do with ghetto, murders and all the other stuff you see in the story, it was just trying to show you that you spend to make, not the same quantity, but unless you inject money into your company for example, it will not make. you get it now sniooozer.
          sniooozer you are too shallow in your thoughts.

  22. Jalay
    March 7, 2011

    You what’s funny about this the money stay in Trinidad with there business people and artist unlike us we give away all our money to foreigners who come to our festival and we getting nothing back every yr is a lost to make it worst a trini running it lol

    • Emailie
      March 7, 2011

      Actuallly that money would be sent out cause UNLIKE US trinidad have no OWNERSHIP of their natural resources… that 100 mil the PM is spending is a 10 million dollar PR investment in her party, that is why all the different handing over ceremonies of the monies ex dimanch gras, soca monarch and carnival monday mass (people’s band) She makes it a duty to make the shining light appearance. At the end of the day in Trinidad police officers and public service on strike and you people not even in charge of your police force, TWO CANADIAN POLICE CHIEF!!!!….sooo think further into that whole Trinidad government spends TT$100 million on Carnival 2011 before you go bash you BEAUTIFUL SAFE COUNTRY

      • Meeeeeeeeee
        March 7, 2011

        And don’t even mention over 70 murders so far this year with about 90% unsolved.

        STUPES….Kamla just playing politics. Police and other public servants on strike for weeks now and all the government is offering is 5% increase……read the news people…www.trinidadexpress.com

        • Man..Man
          March 9, 2011

          THE POLICE GOT 20%. READ THE NEWS DAY..

    • Ms. chin
      March 7, 2011

      A trini running the D.A. carnival because dominicans are dishonest. Trinidadians and better at this and
      we can never find someone good to run the show or we always complaining.

      From the time the trini has been there look at the difference in carnival in dominica. Your PM needs to
      put more money into carnival. ???? that 27million ?????

      • Emailie
        March 9, 2011

        MS CHIN allu had a DOMINICAN AND ALLU RUN HIM SO SHUT THE >> UP!!

        allu said Bullshit, Bullcrap, BULL THIS, VAL NEED AH BULLET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        • Ms. chin
          March 9, 2011

          You better watch your mouth because you can be held for that same BULLET.
          You al never happy and does stress out the people who are trying to help. You all like too much
          freeness.

          Trini don’t take that scrap we strong and bold. Only now Dominica having what you call carnival.
          And that is my opinion and I am entitle to one.

          Ah! I got to you???? I hope he share that money with you.

  23. Buwo
    March 7, 2011

    What a bunch of short-sighted people. I agree with admin, this is an interesting story because Trinidad has turned their carnival into a money making machine while we in Dominica only see carnival as a sewo-fest.

    Trinidad is going to earn in excess of TT$1 billion dollars from carnival. How much money is Dominica going to earn from our carnival?

    I hope someone in authority reads this story and start taking our carnival seriously and turn it into a money earning activity.

    Good choice of story DNO, Keep it up.

    • Emailie
      March 7, 2011

      Do not bash your own before you know what really happening in Trinidad!!!!

      • Buwo
        March 7, 2011

        You call that bashing? lol

        I love our carnival. Its the best in terms of spontaneity, being traditional and so on. What we need to do is to exploit it more than we are doing now in order to earn more money out of it.

        I was in St. Lucia couple years ago for carnival and I almost got arrested because I slipped into one of the bands when the music became too irresistible. I hear the same thing with Trinidad (never been to Trini carnival), that if you not part of a band you are just a spectator.

        In Dominica it is more spontaneous, you can switch from spectator to reveler and back at will or go to one of the country carnivals and jump up to your heart’s content.. Our carnival is fun, we just need to exploit it more.

        • Man..Man
          March 9, 2011

          IT IS ALREADY BEING” EXPLOITED,” tHE REASON WHY TRINIDAD HAS SEATING , AREAS AND A BIG STAGE AT THE GRAND STAND, IS BECAUSE THERE ARE JUDGING POINTS.tHERE IS ALSO PRIZES TO BE WON ,THESE ARE CATAGORISED, SO THEY PASS OVER THE STAGE IN THE GRAND STAND AND THAT IS WHWRE THE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA, MAGAZINE,AND OTHER PRESS GETTO SEE THE SPLENDOR OF TNT CARNIVAL..THAT IS WHERE THE PUBLICITY COMES FROM, AND THE TOURIST 8)

    • jah
      March 7, 2011

      I agree Buwo, shallow minded people, no depth and see nothing but the surface, good story DNO.

      • sniooozer
        March 7, 2011

        @ Jah again u the small shallow minded ppl in here.. WE SHOULD NOT COMPETE! Dont u get it? being different has its advantage.. why go Trinidad when u could go Rio its da dman same ting.. Them man playin DJ on truck.. I cant see my self payin all that money 4 a dj band lol awa.. Dominica Carnival is the best trust me.. we just need more orgnizers and better ppl 2 organize it.. sure promote it but damn.. where we gonna get 15 mill US? we doh have oil my boy.. AND WE NOT GOING TO SELL OUT CARNIVAL TO NOBODY!! If anyone exploiting it should be us and no body else.. thats when things will fall if we let otehrs take over anyting

        • jah
          March 8, 2011

          sniooozer my boy, you just confirm what the story is all about and I quote “we just need more orgnizers and better ppl 2 organize it” enough said, yes I

  24. Gramma police
    March 7, 2011

    May I please have a little somthing about DA mas? Come on DNO where are our pics and stories? Helpppp

  25. Natureinslandgirl
    March 7, 2011

    Who cares!!!!! Why are we showcasing Trinidad’s Carnival, and today is Carnival Monday in Dominica, and there is no mention of it?

    • Dominican Star
      March 7, 2011

      I agree,

    • Balance
      March 7, 2011

      I agree. I find this strange. All day Roseau and the districts are pulsating with carnival action. There sweet steel band and there were a number of costume groups at Jouvert this morning and here we get a story from Trinidad. Weird.

      Admin: it is just a story of interest. Why are you people going ballistic over it?

      • Kalinago in New York
        March 7, 2011

        True but for those who may come across Dominica news online for the first time, like I accidentally did myself over a year ago, it would be nice to know that today is Carnival Monday in Dominica. Not everyone knows. You never know who you might just inform….

    • Jalay
      March 7, 2011

      Well there carnival is a big commercial business our own is fun maybe we should learn something

  26. wow
    March 7, 2011

    nothing surprising about that.

    the devil is in control people. he wants people to enjoy themselves. forget about God. he’s making this world enticing, just getting as many sous as he can.

    • wow
      March 7, 2011

      carnival generates 1 billion a year …… enticing…..gain the world loose your soul,…what shall it profit a man…

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