Trinidad and Tobago Carnival
| Carnival | |
|---|---|
Members of a costume band parade on the streets of Port of Spain | |
| Observed by | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Type | Cultural |
| Significance | Week before Lent |
| Celebrations | processions, music, dancing, and the use of masquerade |
| Date | Monday and Tuesday before Lent |
| Duration | 14 days |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | Caribbean Carnival, Mardi Gras, Carnival, Shrove Monday, Ash Wednesday, Lent |
The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is an annual event held on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday in Trinidad and Tobago. This event is well known for participants' colorful costumes and exuberant celebrations. There are numerous cultural events such as "band launch" fetes running in the lead up to the street parade on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. Traditionally, the festival is associated with calypso music, developed by Afro-Trinidadians in 17th century Trinidad; however, Soca music has begun to replace calypso as the more popular musical genre for Carnival. Costume (sometimes called "mas"), stick-fighting, limbo, and steelpan competitions are important components of the festival.
Carnival, as it is celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago, has spread to many other Caribbean islands as well as several cities worldwide. These celebrations include Toronto's Caribana, Miami's Miami Carnival, Houston Carifest, London's Notting Hill Carnival, as well as New York City's Labor Day Carnival.
Some of the biggest bands in Trinidad Carnival are Harts, Tribe, and Bliss.