Trinidad Carnival

Trinidad Carnival is truly a sight to behold. It resplendent with all the vibrancy of tnt's multicultural society. Carnival is full of excesses: colour, skimpy clothing, music, vulgarity, alcohol and the likes. For the 2 days prior to Ash Wednesday the streets and roads of all towns and villages are filled with revelers, music trucks, vendors, masqueraders in their costumes etc. It is truly a spectacle to behold. Schools are closed as are most government offices and banks. The fun and fetes for most start from Carnival Friday for most people. From Friday after work the 'liming'/socializing usually begins. It continues throughout the long weekend into Carnival Monday & Carnival Tuesday. Of course not all trinis partake of Carnival. There are many who choose an alternative route. They instead choose to spend their Carnival away from the bacchanal and revelry. These folks go to beaches and other isolated areas. There they 'camp out' and also enjoy themselves but without alcohol, drugs, immorality and the likes.
Carnival undoubtedly brings in much needed revenue to some sectors of society here in tnt. However with the upsurge of crime in tnt visitors and locals alike need to exercise caution while partying and feteing. There is also the problem of drinking and driving during the Carnival season, with its resulting accidents ,deaths and trauma. There is an even more sinister aspect to Carnival as in tnt most babies are born approximately 9 months after Carnival. Some women and girls end up with unwanted pregnancies...and then the prospect of AIDS and other STDs.
Love it or hate it Carnival is here to stay and so all of tnt must be able to tolerate each other whether we celebrate Carnival or not.

More Trini Sayings

I really forgot to post some more Trini sayings a long time ago, so here they are...
1. Playing dead to catch corbeau alive - A corbeau is a large bird that is a scavenger. It only eats dead animals and the like. So the only way to catch one is to pretend to be dead. This saying means in order to 'catch' someone at something you need to play the 'game' until the person is 'caught'.

2. Friend + Enemy = Frien-e-my (fren-ee-me). This says it all but still I'll say it: refers to an enemy who pretends to be your friend.

3. Stress + Pressure = Stressure (stress- shah). A beautiful trini word to express (you guessed it) extreme stress and pressure aka hardship.

4. When you can't get Mammy, take Granny. This means to make do with what you have until you can get what you want.

5. Dotish or too-tool-bay. Means stupid, foolish, idiot etc

There are many unique Trini sayings that have been passed down for years. Some of them are newer like frien-e-me and stressure. These sayings are part of our rich, complex, diverse and vibrant Trini culture. Another aspect of our culture is Carnival. So my next post will be undoubtedly about Carnival...