What we have planned for August 2020... This year we have had to re-consider if, and how, we invite you to join our annual family-friendly Mas Camp workshops. We have concluded that the main reason we involve people in our carnival building is to reinforce a strong community spirit, to teach new skills and to […]
The emancipated slaves first celebrated their freedom on 1 August the anniversary of their emancipation but soon participated in Carnival instead. The Canboulay riots were riots by the descendants of freed slaves on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago in response to efforts by the British police to crack down on aspects of the celebration […]
I met Carl and Lyn at South Connection(SC) launch many years ago and over the years we became good friends working alone side each other on carnival project , I alway admire their work such amazing wire bending, I actual first knew Lyn mother Elma Betancourt (who also attended SC band launches- she use to […]
The character of the Moco Jumbie was originally a cult figure found throughout West Africa. https://www.traditionalmas.com/project/moko-jumbie/
From its origin in Africa through its journey to the U.S. Virgin Islands, the mocko jumbie has evolved culturally at celebrations and festivals since the 1960s. Today they continue to embody V.I. culture. Tuesday, the Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbies danced at Hotel on the Cay to kick off the new season.
KAIRI THE ABORIGINALS Trinidad, once called ‘Kairi’ (or possibly ‘Iere’) was aboriginally inhabited by many groups of Amerindian peoples who populated the Caribbean and South American region. #siasummer20nhc #siafamilymystory #delegacysia21beyond https://method.moda/gazette/kairi Peter Minshall and his costume the Hummingbird performed bySherry-Ann Guy (Coelho) 1974
My childhood memories of carnival mas men were Peter Minshall and Wayne Barkley. I was fascinated by both Peter and Waynes’ work, also other mas men stuck out in my memory. George Bailey, Ken Morris and Irvin McWilliams to name a few. But Minshall was my idol his work was unique and different and always […]
MAS – A TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION PRESENTED BY: NICOLE FERDINAND The mulatress1 and the garden Negro or field slave2 are masquerades which evoke the French tradition of the exchange of roles during the Carnival period. These costumes were later co-opted by the freed slaves (from 1834)….#siasummer20nhc
Ole time carnival Trinidad and Tobago https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owvlto0GoEo List of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival character costumes, Click here Blue Devil 2020 Nelson Island TNA Brief History of Carnival Celebrations in the Caribbean Once Christmas season is officially over in the Caribbean, it's time to dig out your dancing shoes and start thinking […]
A wide variety of costumes (called "mas") depicting traditional Trinidadian Carnival characters are seen throughout the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. Full List of costume Trinidad Carnival combines bacchanalian celebration with spontaneous street theatre, in an atmosphere of fantasy and “freeness”.
When I came to London I always remember Lincoln was one of the few mas men who came and complemented my work at Splash ( The large costume competition at NHC ) over the year we became friends and he made most of my recent structure and wire heiresses and backpacks - he was alway […]
#siasummer20nhc #CaribbeanHistory #carnivalHstory From Drums to Tamboo Bamboo to Sweet Steel Photo credit Christine TriniView Gallery How Steelpan Started, as told by pan pioneer Oscar Pile Video courtesy IsDePanInMe
“...I never once believed what they wanted us to believe - that we as black people are inferior to whites...”― Darcus Howe
#siasummer20nhc #CaribbeanHistory #carnivalHstory Caribbean Music: "Kaiso" — Some history and examples to listen to! Growing up in the Caribbean, especially being raised by Trinidadians, I have been exposed to a variety of music from across the region. Particularly music out of Trinidad. By Jamtaylor ......... Calypso originated within Trinidad when slaves from West Africa were brought […]
#siasummer20nhc #CaribbeanHistory #carnivalHstory Notting Hill Carnival is London’s biggest street party, with costumed revellers and steel bands bringing the city to life in a colourful celebration of West Indian culture. In sharp contrast to its euphoric atmosphere, Carnival’s origins lie in race riots that saw the newly arrived immigrant population attacked by white nationalists. The Notting […]
Notting Hill Carnival — the untold story ISHMAHIL BLAGROVE JR
Alwin Chow Lin On, ‘Chow’ to all who knew him in the UK, 30 April 1935 - 29 July 2011 #siasummer20nhc “At this time I had the opportunity to work with Alwin Chow Lin On(who was instrumental in a lot of Minshall large costume) We called him- Chowie. I got very involved in larger costume […]
What an interesting story from St Vincent Street San Fernando (South Trinidad) to leading one of Notting Hill Carnival major band - South Connections Avion has been part of my life from the first time I came to London to now at S.i.A -Ray Avion Mookram #siasummer20nhc #siafamilymystory #NHCpioneer #CaribbeanHistory #carnivalHstory
#siasummer20nhc 2000 Canboulay, out of the fire comes, DANCE OF THE CLOTH. Created for South Connection Carnival Club the bands Notting Hill carnival production entitled-Ray Allan Mahabi #siafamilymystory #NHCpioneer #CaribbeanHistory #carnivalHstory
Part of our mission as a creative space firmly rooted in the heart of the community is to offer a venue to meet the needs of our locals, creatives and general public. Studio 3 , Studio 4 and our Main Arch are available for hire for a number of activities Spaces for hire
Another band and true carnival artist are Clary and Speedy from Mahogany mas band they are also a regular band that S.i.A works with on national and international projects... 'My first memory is of winning a carnival competition in a gorgeous little fairy costume,' Clary recalls. 'I still have the cup from it.' Speedy's parents, […]
SUNSHINE INTERNATIONAL ARTS. Carnival and Community Arts Drawing on his Indo Caribbean roots, Ray Mahabir has used his experience gained by working with the masquerade tradition of Trinidad Carnival as inspiration for his designs for costumes used in processional art. #siasummer20nhc http://www.natt.gov.tt/sites/default/files/pdfs/Nelson-Island-and-Indian-Indentureship-in-Trinidad_02.pdf
THE EXPERIENCE OF INDIAN INDENTURE IN TRINIDAD: ARRIVAL AND SETTLEMENT #siasummer20nhc Between 1845 and 1917 a total of 143,939 Indians migrated to Trinidad under the system of Indian indenture. Most of these indentured labourers were drawn from the agricultural and laboring classes of the Uttar Pradesh and Bihar regions of north India, with a comparatively […]
“As a carnival designer what is important about what you are creating is knowing the true meaning of masquerade (Mas) and how wearable art works. Mas is a unique and important art form that allows any individual to become a performer - this often shows when someone is wearing your creation and they are able […]
This post will showcase the cross section of artist who are involved in the creation of large scale carnival costume and the hard worked and passionate that goes into each costume. Ma Ma La Terre This piece was showcased at the Victoria and Albert Museum exhibition Carnival in Close-up , From the Caribbean to Britain and beyond […]
MULANA ‘the art of people’ 2001-2020 #siasummer20nhc Click Here “During part of this trip to India I visited the village my forefathers come from in India - I am five generation Indian, my family came from a village called Sidhownay village, Bikhapur, Fyzabad, which is nearest city to Lucknow and is the capital city of […]
A video presentation outlining the arrival of East Indian Indentured labourers to Trinidad during the period 1845 to 1917. This presentation was done for Indian Arrival Day celebrations at St Augustine South Government Primary School (SASGPS). The background music is in Hindi and is based on Psalms 91: "He that dwelleth in the secret place […]
Ray Mahabir talks about Brouhaha and about Liverpool International Carnival 2016.
International Slavery Museum, Art Commission Brief – Sailor Mas costume 2007 #siasummer20nhc Concept for the Sailor Mas costume (Fancy Sailor) Ray Mahabir- February 2007 Perhaps the most visual manifestation of cultural transformation is Carnival – a complex merging of European religious festivities within Latin America with elements of African festival. Trinidad is the cradle […]
#siasummer20nhc “All the youth in the neighbourhood used to play mas with that band so it was like one big family. In my neighbourhood there were lots of steel bands. We had Tokyo, Fascinators, Hill 60, and City Symphony” Neil Macey Photo Neils dad in Sailor mas Click Here
Minshall A Ship of Fools 2003 Peter Minshall's 2003 Carnival presentation, "A Ship of Fools", has tremendous creative material to choose from the present goings-on in this so-called independent republic with all the brouhaha about the apparent newspaper exposure of a secret Muslim sect with a "lab" of supposed biological and chemical weapons of war, […]
The Bele Costume-By Ray Mahabir - Commission for the British Liberty exhibition A journey through time, the Bele Costume by Ray Mahabir is indicative of Caribbean history, struggle, freedom and celebration. The costume relates the cross-cultural rags-to-riches story of Carnival and inspires mental imagery of the Bel Air dance, culture and folklore through the ages. […]
#siasummer20nhc Reach the Unreachable Kenya 2019 - As the Artistic Director of S.i.A, my main focus so far has been within Britain, as well as some international projects. I have spent the past 23 years taking carnival arts to new audiences national and international, but one piece of the puzzle was missing. In 2018 I […]
Sunshine's NHC 2020 Statement Following the news that Notting Hill Carnival 2020 has been officially cancelled, we wanted to take the opportunity to get in touch and tell you about our plans. First, a word from S.i.A's Director, Ray Mahabir: "Notting Hill Carnival is a time to rejoice and celebrate. After 23 years of involvement […]
David and Christina is always fun to be involved with we have work alone side them for many years and lots of projects. #siasummer20nhc#siafamilymystory Hackney carnival pioneers David Grant and Christina Oree, 83 and 79, are still going strong."The idea was to develop a spirit of unity between all different ages, cultures and backgrounds, […]
Carnival is an explosive array of colour. Ornate, extravagant, ‘Mas’ (costumes) stimulate the visual senses and community comes together as one. Cutting through the loud Soca soundsystems is the individual’s voice of what Carnival means to them. We asked some of our participants what they love about carnival:Carnival
Dr. Claire Holder was the longest serving Director of the Notting Hill Carnival. She is now reentering the Carnival arena to present and pursue a strategic vision for the rejuvenation of the event. Here she explains her early involvement with the Carnival, why it is so important to the African and Caribbean community of Britain […]
What a normal summer looks like for S.i.A What S.i.A has been up to over the last 6 months... Click here
How did I become a carnivalist? - Celia Burgess Macey This is quite a long story . My first exposure to the culture of carnival and of Trinidad in particular was in 1964 #siasummer20nhc#siafamilymystory Click Here From the band -Dance of Jouvert... de People, of this Earth - S.i.A 2018 Photo by Donna Travis
#siasummer20nhc#siafamilymystor 1983. Meeting the Midnight Robber Celia Burgess Macey It was carnival time. Whilst I was walking up Frederick Street I was accosted by an old man and two children all dressed in Robber costumes. He looked me straight in the eyes, displaying a knowing twinkle, and held me at gunpoint while he recited a long […]
#comingsoon #siasummer20nhc#siafamilymystory
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One Saturday afternoon I attended a course at S.I.A and subscribed to their mailing list, so that I could be notified of any of their up and coming events. I received a newsletter in June, and I noticed an article regarding volunteers required in July to help with 'Mas Camp'. As I had booked a […]
I have been going to Notting Hill Carnival since I moved to the UK from Brazil in 2003, aged 14, when my family temporarily lived in St Charles Square, right behind Ladbroke Grove. Although carnival is part of my culture I hadn’t experienced it before moving to London, and I never really thought of it […]
