Letting off steam

It is now taken as a given that Carnival would not be Carnival without some sort of controversy. So this year we have the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) parting ways with the San Fernando Carnival Committee over the many shortcomings of the pre-Dimanche Gras competition held last Wednesday at Skinner Park. Coming out of that, one of two calypsonians who did not make the cut for the National Calypso Monarch competition may take legal action in order to be included in the finals. And, to add fuel to this fire, it turns out that both calypsonians who were left out - Errol “Bally” Ballantyne and Heather MacIntosh — both sang anti-government calypsos, leading to accusations of political bias on the part of the judges. This charge has been denied.

Meanwhile, TUCO itself has been coming under attack by some calypsonians for its handling of various events falling under its aegis, several of which have been poorly attended. Additionally, in what is almost a mini-tradition in itself, masman Peter Minshall has drawn criticism, this time because some Carnival bandleaders are miffed at money given to Minshall’s Callaloo Company to fund part of the band’s presentation. And no doubt other disputes will arise before the Carnival ends at 12 midnight on Tuesday. Yet, in the larger context, these matters are only fillips. This is not to say that organisational shortcomings in the various competitions should not be fixed. Carnival is now both a cultural activity and an economic generator.

Culturally, it is the festival that involves the greatest numbers of persons, whether as participants or onlookers. It is also what Trinidad and Tobago is best known for in the wider world so, economically, Carnival is a foreign investment earner and catalyst for internal cash flows. It is for all these reasons that it is important to streamline the various activities of the Carnival, preserving its heritage even as new developments in the mas and the music continue. But, whatever the undoubted shortcomings of the festival, we must not lose sight of the fact that this country every year organises a nationwide street event that is largely incident-free. This lack of violent disruption has become an even more signal achievement in recent years, given the rising murder rate.

Perhaps most important of all, however, is the function of Carnival as a stress reliever. While there are concerns about excessive drinking and risky sexual behaviour, the fact is that the vast majority of citizens use the four-day weekend to blow off steam and relax in various ways. Some go to fetes, to the tents, and other shows. Some go overseas, many just spend the weekend at the beach. This is a unique facet of our culture, and one which may be necessary to the stability of the society. After all, ours is a nation beset by problems, and it may well be that two days of forgetting the issues that weigh on us is a necessary part of tackling those problems. What is important, however, is to use the Carnival period to rejuvenate ourselves and not as a mere distraction.