Jamaica Carnival

A RECORD IN TIME

Written by: K Winchester

1940 - 1989

Described as a festival of love, togetherness, endless creativity, and total enjoyment, Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago dates back to the 18th century and is symbolic of the emancipation of slaves. Not known for having a Carnival culture and being the domicile of Reggae, Jamaica’s Carnival for many years was deemed an imposition. It was at The University of the West Indies, Mona campus, formerly known as the University College of the West Indies, where Carnival was first sighted in Jamaica, trialled by some homesick Eastern Caribbean students attending in the 1940s. Every year through to the 60’s the event grew as students, especially those from Trinidad and Tobago, recreated the festival to reflect the atmosphere of their elaborate Carnival. The introduction of the steelpan, which forms a significant part of the molecular structure of Carnival, soon occurred as a Trinidad student Arden Williams returned to campus with his steel pan. This encouraged the manufacturing of the percussion instrument by several Trinidadian and Grenadian students, with the launch of a steel band on the horizon. However, inexperience proved to be a severe impediment, not only in playing the instrument but making it.

Help was needed to cut the rough, malodorous, sticky oil drums, heat, and tune them. After the assistance of several knowledgeable individuals, the first pan side emerged.

Irvine Hall’s Playboys

The social atmosphere on campus was very Trinidadian, with everyone indulging in the events which involved fetes, pan music and the main events, but keeping in mind the Jamaican culture. The event got branded “UWI Carnival,” which became a favourable annual event on campus, which continues today.

The Carnival, however, was unable to be seriously established and accepted on the island as it was viewed a foreign concept to the Jamaican public until 1989 when the Oakridge Boys introduced the first Mas band to grace the island. After frequenting the islands of Trinidad and Tobago to engage in its Carnival festivities, the Oakridge Boys became stranded at home, due to the devastation of Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 and the elections of 1989. From their disappointment, an idea sprouted that has now grown to a mustattend event. Their first road call summoned 300 revellers for the street parade.

Carnival in Jamaica, 1989

One of the original Oakridge Boys, Michael Ammar, described the first year of carnival costume design as a group of carnival devotees working with a store designer to bring their very rough ideas to life. The group bought materials and did all the manufacturing of the costumes themselves. The concept proved detrimental, and as such, expert advice was sought from Trinidad, who left their mark on the pieces, showing Jamaicans the nuances of carnival costume design. From the get-go, Oakridge was a massive success to the revellers. Some of the locals, however, questioned the band’s motive and quickly criticized the band leaders. The Oakridge Boys, determined to make the Carnival a success, continued to encourage the critics to participate, as, in Trinidad, Carnival was played by all. Despite enjoying their yearly involvement in Trinidad Carnival, the Oakridge Boys did not like the fact that in Trinidad the bands were not all-inclusive. As a result, the Oakridge Boys made their band all-inclusive.