The Idakeda Group and Kambule Movement’s ‘Africa In The Carnival’ Festival kicked off on Friday.
The aim of the Festival is to educate participants about some of the elements of African retentions in Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival and how they connect to other celebrations in other parts of the Caribbean.
The Festival was held at Lakou Wi on Warner Street, Port of Spain.
Founder and CEO of the Idakeda Group, Dara Healy, shared what those attending the Festival can expect.
“During the festival itself we’re going to have workshops on sustainability and mas making and all kinds of nice and exciting things. We’re planning something called a ‘Jamette Ball.’ Mmhmm, I see allyuh smile at that.”
How does one prepare for a Jamette Ball? Tips for that will also shared.
“We’re going to open up the space because I remember last time we did the ball, people were like, ‘I don’t know what to wear; how do I dress like a jamette?’ So we’re going to open the space, and we’re going to create a workshop environment so you could come and help to make the costume. You’re going to have people to come and guide you and all of that.”
Many elements of Carnival come from African culture, according to performer and educator of the Ketus IFA Institute, Odunmbaku Adesoga Somorin.
“What everybody sees now as wining and enjoying Carnival came very heavily from Congolese culture. In African culture, in the entirety of Africa, there is one particular group of people that we credit for waistline, and that’s the Congo. As much as you have all other African cultures that, you know, are very prominent, as she said, very evidently there is a layer of Yorubaness across Carnival.”
Those in attendance were also treated to performances by Keegan Taylor, who is also a Kambule trainer, as well as other performances that showcase “Africa in the Carnival.”