Children’s mas producer Rosalind Gabriel retires

The announcement of her retirement was made via her Facebook Page on September 19 at 12.54pm.

In a post to her page, Gabriel told supporters, “Regretfully, I must inform all children who play mas with me, that Carnival 2016 was my last year. I have made the very difficult decision to retire from producing mas.” Her involvement in mas production spans forty years, starting in 1977. The reason for Gabriel’s retirement, however, remains unclear.

Attempts to contact her via phone and email were unsuccessful.

The post further said, “I would like to thank all the guardians, mothers and fathers, uncles and aunts, grannies, and grandpas, who supported me in the early years and onwards, all the people who stood at the side of the road and waited for the band to pass with broad smiles on their faces eagerly waving their hands from side to side.” Gabriel thanked sponsors Nestle Orchard, Beacon Insurance, Norman Gabriel Ltd, Blue Waters among others for their support and standing by her to the end. She also thanked her family, saying, “(you) have always supported me through the highs and the lows of producing Mas, and all of the workers at the camp, and especially the designers.” She described it as the hardest decision she ever had to make and said she was truly sorry the day had to come.

The post gained 138 reactions with 38 shares. Many in the comments section thanking Gabriel for her contribution.