IT’S CARNIVAL TIME AGAIN

By the time you read this thousands of revellers are already on the streets across Trinidad and Tobago, many of them in their Jour Ouvert costumes, to usher in Carnival 2005. Some, particularly in Port-of-Spain and San Fernando, will have come straight from Carnival dances to follow their favourite steelbands beating out the latest popular calypsoes, all thought of tiredness cast aside. It is Carnival time again and mud mas will vie with humorous presentations in which some masqueraders will provide satirical portrayals of politicians and other public figures which Jour Ouvert gives them the chance to lampoon.

In turn, there will be jab jabs, pierrot grenades, moko jumbies, devil mas and in the rural districts Police and Thief, persons playing doctors and nurses. In San Fernando, a place once well known for its old mas, most of the persons in Jour Ouvert bands have turned away from satire to a plain jump up. Later this morning, the old mas will yield to sailor bands while several of the leading bands with a relative few members on the road today, most in incomplete costumes, will offer a nonetheless tantalising aperitif for the main fare to be served tomorrow at the Big Yard, the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, or at the various venues in San Fernando, Chaguanas, Arima, Scarborough and Point Fortin among others.

It will be two days of almost unending merriment, when all who wish can masquerade as Kings, Queens, Emperors and Empresses and in their minds become the characters they portray. It is all make believe with the accent on fun. Unfortunately, there have been persons equating alcohol consumption with enjoyment and who having had several drinks too many, insist on driving although their judgment has been clearly impaired by too much  alcohol consumed almost non-stop over the weekend, allowing only for a few hours respite through sleep each night. Nonetheless, although Carnival is the period when people feel the need to relax their inhibitions, we urge caution on everyone, particularly teenagers. Already, the Police and the Ministry of Health have issued warning advertisements in the print and electronic media against youngsters and others letting down their guard, and advising against accepting drinks and lifts from strangers or entering PH or other taxis with only one passenger, or with drivers and passengers who have clearly had one too many.

Even as we fete we must be mindful that the two-day festival is the period traditionally followed by the highest number of unwanted pregnancies. And although, we are not aware of any statistics on this, the Carnival season probably results in a marked rise in HIV cases as well. Frankly, there is no need to be ashamed to have the courage to say “No”. It is much safer to avoid courting danger and much more fun being around to enjoy many more Carnivals. Newsday wishes all its readers a safe and Merry Carnival and asks that vehicle owners who drink avoid taking the steering wheel and instead have designated drivers. It is better as the saying goes to be safe than sorry. Once again, a safe and Merry Carnival.