The city is defined as a place where diffused rays of many separate beams of life fall into focus (Mumford 1938). These diffused rays of separate life influences the practices that take place in the city and which contribute to the material culture of the urban area. This culture is highly diversified creating what is known as a ‘melting pot’.
The Caribbean is well known for its diversity and unique culture. Trinidad and Tobago has always been known as a melting pot.
This is a result of its rich history which allowed for descendants from all
over the world but largely, Asia, Africa and Europe. However, in its city of Port of
Spain, the melting pot is seen as much more than just different ethnicities. It
refers to the profound diversity of the city, its people, its culture, its society, economics and politics. For our capital city, there is no better way
to highlight this urban melting pot than through its Carnival celebrations.
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| Traditional 'Ole Mas' - Port of Spain, Trinidad
The first photo illustrates young children parading through
the streets of Port of Spain playing traditional ‘ole mas’ characterised by
their ‘Moko Jumbie’ costumes. The earliest Carnivals in the city of Port of
Spain were an event where the emancipated former African slaves took to the
streets to celebrate. The ‘Moko Jumbie’ was one of the main costumes used. Its
name was derived from a God named ‘Moko’ of the West African tradition. The
outfit entailed people walking on stilts and wearing bright coloured clothing
(Nalis, 2012). However, these traditional costumes are no longer the main
attire used for Carnival celebrations. Much is being done to keep the
traditional ‘Ole Mas’ alive.
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The photo then can show a deeper meaning of children of
different backgrounds coming together to celebrate their history as
Trinidadians. In addition, they are either knowingly or unknowingly trying to
preserve the traditional mas and what it represents. That is, the freedom,
courage and endurance of the former slaves.
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| Carnival gathering at the Queen's Park Savanna, Port of Spain
The second photo captures numerous people at the Kiddies
Carnival celebrations located on the Queen’s Park Savannah. As the country gets
ready to celebrate its two days of revelry, colour, glam and rhythm, the
nations’ children can extend their Carnival celebrations by taking part in
‘Kiddies’ parades, shows and competition. This affair serves to bring together tourists,
Trinidadians and more importantly the children of the nation in an eventful array
of Junior Carnival celebrations.
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| Carnival stall along the Queen's Park Savanna with cultural items
The third photo depicts several stalls along the Queen’s
Park Savannah that sells cultural items. These stalls sell a variety of
cultural items representative of the many cultures within Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean. The
items are not only available for Trinidadians but to tourists as well, so they can take a piece of the Caribbean home.
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This melting pot effect that is vibrant and prominent in the
daytime of the urban city of Port of Spain is not only limited to Trinidad
alone. Throughout the Caribbean, our similar history has granted us descendants
from throughout the world. The same concentration of people, culture, society,
economics and politics in urban areas give distinctly diverse cities. Cities
throughout the Caribbean then will more than likely experience similar cultural
fusion as Port of Spain, Trinidad.
References:
CCNTV6 (2014) Retrieved on March 3rd, 2015 from http://www.tv6tnt.com/sevenpm-news/-CARNIVAL-WILL-GO-ON-AS-PLAN-280874622.html
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