Risking it for mas: Revellers ‘carry on’ for carnival
Published:Monday | July 11, 2022 | 12:08 AMStephanie Lyew/Gleaner Writer
Thousands of people revelled for the summer edition of the annual Carnival in Jamaica celebrations on Sunday, marking a slow return to normality after the pandemic put playing mas on pause for three years.
The 2020 carnival festivities, which usually draw locals and tourists from around the world, were curtailed when the first case of COVID-19 landed in Jamaica in March that year and then forgone the following year as the Government sought to enforce protocols to lessen the spread of the virus and get the number of cases down.
Now, with the confirmation of the first case of monkey pox in Jamaica, there is some consternation. Chief Medical Officer Dr Jacqueline Bisasor McKenzie warned Jamaicans, especially those attending events, to observe the well-established protocols to reduce the likelihood of transmitting the infectious diseases, but for many, it was the farthest thought from their minds as they hit the road.
“Everyday is something else, [so] better you just live your life because personally, I believe something is bound to take you out. Why not do it while soca is playing?” said Tashnie Hinds, a fan of the musical genre.
Maliya Rabathaly says she was cautious every step of the way. “I wore the mask for most of the masquerade because I’m very aware there are still things health wise that exist. Coming from Trinidad which didn’t really have Carnival this year, but had a few national shows and parties, we saw where persons were kept in separate pods to fête so hopefully by next year, I’m not sure, we’ll all be more comfortable to go without a mask. For now, this is what I choose, like my heels, it’s what makes me comfortable,” Rabathaly told The Gleaner.
Local selector Brush1 Chromatic, who goes by the moniker ‘Road Marshall’, said that he trusts that the Ministry of Health is doing its best to control monkey pox.
“I’m positive that the powers that be are keeping contained what needs to be contained so we can have fun. Right now, we’re risking it, at least I’m risking it for the enjoyment, but I am mindful of the precautions like wearing masks when we can, sticking with our circles, and sanitising,” he told The Gleaner.
The 2022 staging of Carnival in Jamaica has been dubbed the year of hope according to revellers and spectators. Ramon Bell, who was observed watching the masquerade with his three-year-old son, said it was important for his child to experience the festivities, having been locked down almost since birth.
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“When I was younger, I participated in Jamaica Carnival as it was called back then. Despite some of the costumes being more exposing, I think my child is young enough, and as he gets older, I can only educate him. This is more interesting as he sees our culture actively after being inside during a difficult pandemic,” Bell shared. “This is a carnival that makes persons hopeful to return to some sort of normality and to living our lives as we did before.”
Nicholas Franklin, director of Bachanal Jamaica, told The Gleaner that despite this year’s numbers not being at their optimum, the energy was high and monkey pox was never cause for concern.
“I have not yet done the final count yet, but [I] would estimate that there was a little bit over a thousand people. It is less than normal, but it is a good turnout after two years of COVID. People are still scared, but the patrons came out and are loving it,” Franklin said.
He added, “The execution was smooth ... a little challenging at times, but I was never worried at any point. Without a doubt we were having carnival [this year]. We can’t wait to get back to our regular carnival date and the normal times.”
Kamal Bankay, director of Xodus Carnival, shared similar sentiments. “Today was a wonderful day, not only for Xodus but for Carnival in Jamaica and Jamaica as a whole. Being back out on the road was spectacular and I think everybody from the patrons to the spectators really really enjoyed the experience today. We’re grateful that we had an incident free day for the most part and everybody performed top-class work,” said Bankay. “This is Xodus’ fourth staging and we’re very very happy that we were able to put this on after such a long hiatus for everybody.”
He added that the band is looking forward to a November launch this year and Carnival in Jamaica 2023 in April.