National Carnival Commission (NCC) of Trinidad & Tobago

Mission

To preserve and celebrate the traditional heritage of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, while ensuring its sustainable development and viability as a major cultural industry.

Core Values

• Professionalism

• Value for Money

• Teamwork

• Service Excellence

• Transparency

• Creativity

Objectives of the Commission

1. Transform Carnival into a vibrant national cultural and commercial enterprise.

2. Provide comprehensive managerial and organizational infrastructure to support the planning, presentation, and marketing of Carnival cultural products.

3. Facilitate ongoing research, and ensure the preservation and curation of Carnival creations—costumes, music, art—year after year.

Regional Carnival

As the birthplace of Carnival, Trinidad and Tobago continue to treasure and preserve its rich history through the efforts of the NCC Regional Carnival Committee. In close collaboration with 57 regional committees, this team ensures:

• Continuity of traditional cultural expressions

• Sustainable community engagement

• Preservation of cultural identity

Key initiatives include:

• Stick-fighting competitions

• Traditional Mas Character parades—Devil Mas, Sailor Mas, Indian Mas—performed both individually and in bands

• Re-enactments of Canboulay riots

• The Dragon Festival, celebrating folklore and performance arts

These regional events show growing participation—from local attendees as well as a rising stream of international visitors.

History of Carnival in Trinidad & Tobago

Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago blossomed as a pre-Lenten festival. From around 1783, French planters and free people of color brought grand balls, dinners, concerts, and hunting parties to the island—festivities that stretched from Christmas up to Ash Wednesday (ncctt.org, en.wikipedia.org).

Following emancipation in 1834, formerly enslaved Africans joined in, merging their own expressions and traditions—most notably Canboulay, a vibrant celebration featuring drums, singing, chanting, calinda (stick-fighting), and the iconic burning sugarcane carried through the streets as a symbol of emancipation and resistance (ncctt.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org).

Originally a three-day celebration, Carnival was eventually curtailed to Carnival Monday and Tuesday in 1943 after upper-class criticism, and was briefly suspended during World War II (ncctt.org).

The Rise of Steelpan

Between 1935–1945, Trinidad’s bamboo percussion ensembles (Tamboo Bamboo bands) began experimenting with metal containers. Through trial and error, locals discovered that pounding metal yielded musical pitch, birthing the first steelpans—initially called “ping pong pots.”

At the end of WWII, steelpan bands paraded through Port of Spain streets celebrating V.E. and V.J. Day, heralding the steelpan as the soul of Carnival music. What started as simple melodies evolved into full steel orchestras with a variety of instruments (ncctt.org).

Calypso: The Voice of the People

Calypso’s roots trace back to West African traditions of improvised song, used as a medium for social commentary and communication—earning it the nickname “the poor man’s newspaper.” Its name likely derives from words like the Hausa “kaiso,” French “carrousseaux,” or Spanish “calliso” (ncctt.org, en.wikipedia.org).

The first wave of professional calypsonians formed what was known as the Old Brigade, including names like Growling Tiger and Lord Pretender. From 1945, the Young Brigade emerged—featuring Lord Kitchener, Mighty Sparrow, and others (ncctt.org).

In 1970, the Black Power movement inspired new voices like Black Stalin and Brother Valentino. And in 1978, Calypso Rose became the first female Calypso Monarch, paving the way for women in a male-dominated art form (ncctt.org).

Today, Calypso ranges across genres—Political, Social, Humorous, Soca, Ragga Soca, Chutney Soca, and Nation-Building—showcasing its versatility and cultural depth (ncctt.org).

Why It Matters

Carnival isn't just a festival—it’s a cultural tapestry woven from French masquerades, African liberation traditions, musical innovation, and social commentary. The rise of steelpan and calypso underscores its importance as both an artistic and political expression of Trinidad and Tobago.

Summary Table

Traditional Mas Characters celebrated in Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, each rich with history and cultural depth:

Major Traditional Mas Characters

• Burrokeet (Little Donkey): A dancer crafts the illusion of riding a small donkey—an import from Venezuelan masquerade traditions en.wikipedia.orgcometotheislands.co.

• Dame Lorraine: A comedic parody of 18th-century aristocratic French ladies, with exaggerated hips and bust—often performed by men cometotheislands.coen.wikipedia.org.

• Jab Jab: A devilish figure painted in black (traditionally with molasses or oil), wielding whips. Symbolizes rebellion and mischief sweettntmagazine.comen.wikipedia.org.

• Jab Molassie: Similar to Jab Jab but drenched in sticky molasses—evoking the molasses’ role in plantation slavery. Chaotic and unsettling sweettntmagazine.comen.wikipedia.org.

• Bookman (Prince of Dark): A devil persona distinguished by a giant paper mask and a ledger—a theatrical figure who “records sins.” Multiple devil variants exist under this theme en.wikipedia.orgtntisland.comen.wikipedia.org.

• Devils & Imps: Includes sub-characters like Prince of Darkness, Lucifer, Satan, Imps, King Imp, and themed roles like Axe Man, Scale Man, etc. en.wikipedia.org.

• Midnight Robber: Boastful storyteller with flamboyant speeches ("Robber Talk") and a Wild West inspired costume, rooted in African griot traditions ptessslmc.wixsite.comen.wikipedia.org.

• Moko Jumbie: Meaning “dream stilt-walker” of African origin. A towering stilt dancer historically believed to ward off evil ncctt.orgen.wikipedia.org.

• Minstrels: Performers—often in whiteface—parodying American minstrel shows, combining singing and instrumental music en.wikipedia.org.

• Pierrot Grenade: A playful jester-sage hybrid. The costume’s patchwork design mocks the French planter-class Pierrot en.wikipedia.org.

Other Respected Characters

• Fancy Sailor, King Sailor, White Sailor: Nautically themed costumes, celebrating maritime life—these are colorful offshoots of the Sailor Mas tradition ncctt.org.

• Fireman: Decked in stylized firefighter attire—another popular variant in the Traditional Mas parade ncctt.org.

• Baby Doll: A rowdy, satirical character often exaggeratedly pregnant—mocking European femininity cometotheislands.coen.wikipedia.org.

• Burrokeet, Soumayree: Variations of donkey riders. Soumayree references Hindu worship rituals involving horses ncctt.org.

• Sebucan: A storyteller character, echoing oral tradition and folklore—less mainstream but culturally significant ncctt.org.

Quick Reference Table

Why They Matter

These characters originate from colonial mimicry, African resistance, satirical storytelling, and religious ritual—evolving into vibrant symbols of identity, resilience, and cultural memory cometotheislands.coen.wikipedia.org.