Discover Trinidad & Tobago 2016 — 25th Anniversary Edition

Speech bands
Part of Tobago’s unique
Carnival tradition, Bethel
and Plymouth are home to
these bands, where a cast
of costumed characters
speechify in rhyme.
Carnival
Tobago Carnival is more laid-back and focused
on traditional, folk aspects. Mud
mas is the mainstay each J’ouvert (Carnival
Monday morning) in Scarborough. The
mud is said to be therapeutic for the skin
— which begs a refreshing “sea bath” afterwards!
Ole mas and costumed bands, of
adults and children, parade in both Scarborough
and Roxborough on Monday. Adults
masquerade in full costume on Tuesday.
The season officially launches with a
street parade in Scarborough in October/
November featuring traditional mas characters.
The first big party is Soca Spree, typically
headlined by Machel Montano. Other
major events include Soca Under the Samaan
Tree, the Tobago House of Assembly
(THA)’s Inter-department Queen and
Calypso Show, and the Roxborough Afro-
Queen and Windward Calypso Show.
Make sure to visit the pan yards of
steelbands, like Dixieland, Redemption
Sound Setters, and Katzenjammers.
Tobago speech band. Photo courtesy the Division of Tourism & Transportation
Tobagonian Carnival icons
Winston “The Shadow” Bailey: born
in Les Coteaux; national Calypso Monarch
(2000), and Road March champion
(1974’s “Bassman”, and 2001’s “Stranger”)
Linda MacArthur “Calypso Rose” Lewis:
born in Bethel, the first woman to win
national Road March in 1977 (“Tempo”)
and 1978 (“Soca Jam”); forced Calypso
King competition to be renamed the Calypso
Monarch by taking the 1978 crown.
A documentary film has been made about
her: Calypso Rose: Lioness of the Jungle
Robert “Lord Nelson” Nelson: known
for his distinct funk-influenced sound; reportedly
the first calypsonian to use computerised
instruments in his recordings
Shurwayne Winchester: Signal Hill
native; two-time national Road March
winner — “Look De Band Comin” (2004)
and “Dead or Alive” (2005); three-time
International Soca Monarch — Power
and Groovy titles in 2006 (“Can’t Wait”
and “Don’t Stop”) and Groovy in 2008
(“Please Stay”).
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