How Does Pop Culture Folklore Influence
How does pop culture folklore influence Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago?
Many of the characters seen in the masquerades are influenced by traditional folklore. The legends/myths of spirits and other elements of folklore are seen in present day Carnival celebrations as they retain culture and tradition. People re-enact scenarios on how the folklore characters were observed to behave and they would ‘dress up’ in costumes and makeup to portray them.
Some of the most prominent folklore characters that appear in the celebrations are:
1. Moko Jumbies - The stilt dancer known throughout the Caribbean, is a traditional folk character that was originally brought from West Africa. The word "Moko" is derived from the name of a West African God and "jumbie" or "ghost" was added by liberated slaves after Emancipation. On stilts, that ranged between 10 to 15 feet high (often brightly painted in stripes) the Moko wore long full skirts or pants, a brightly coloured satin or velvet jacket and an elaborate admiral's hat topped by plumes. The Moko Jumbie (sometimes accompanied by a dwarf in similar costume) would dance through the streets all day, collecting money from spectators gathered at second floor windows or on balconies. He danced a jig to the accompaniment of drum, triangle and flute or to the music of passing bands.
2. Dame Lorraines - Dame Lorraine is a character through whom the behaviour of the French planters could be satirised. The character was introduced Carnival to Trinidad at the end of the 18th century. The characterisation or performance of Dame Lorraine was originally held in two parts beginning at midnight on Carnival Sunday and performed in private yards.
The first part featured a parade of people dressed in costumes of the 18th century French aristocrats. A haughty butler introduced arriving couples, after which a stately dance was performed while a slave gaped through a window at the proceedings. In the second part the butler was transformed into a
Many of the characters seen in the masquerades are influenced by traditional folklore. The legends/myths of spirits and other elements of folklore are seen in present day Carnival celebrations as they retain culture and tradition. People re-enact scenarios on how the folklore characters were observed to behave and they would ‘dress up’ in costumes and makeup to portray them.
Some of the most prominent folklore characters that appear in the celebrations are:
1. Moko Jumbies - The stilt dancer known throughout the Caribbean, is a traditional folk character that was originally brought from West Africa. The word "Moko" is derived from the name of a West African God and "jumbie" or "ghost" was added by liberated slaves after Emancipation. On stilts, that ranged between 10 to 15 feet high (often brightly painted in stripes) the Moko wore long full skirts or pants, a brightly coloured satin or velvet jacket and an elaborate admiral's hat topped by plumes. The Moko Jumbie (sometimes accompanied by a dwarf in similar costume) would dance through the streets all day, collecting money from spectators gathered at second floor windows or on balconies. He danced a jig to the accompaniment of drum, triangle and flute or to the music of passing bands.
2. Dame Lorraines - Dame Lorraine is a character through whom the behaviour of the French planters could be satirised. The character was introduced Carnival to Trinidad at the end of the 18th century. The characterisation or performance of Dame Lorraine was originally held in two parts beginning at midnight on Carnival Sunday and performed in private yards.
The first part featured a parade of people dressed in costumes of the 18th century French aristocrats. A haughty butler introduced arriving couples, after which a stately dance was performed while a slave gaped through a window at the proceedings. In the second part the butler was transformed into a