Since Monday we’ve been taking you into the different mas camps as 7 senior and 6 junior carnival bands prepare for the road march on Saturday September sixth. The final four camps were held last night and it seems they saved the best for last. Our 7NEWS team was again front and center of the action. Keith Swift has the story.
Keith Swift Reporting,
The party began on Ring Road at Eternity’s mas camp. There the energy spoke for itself and what it didn’t say these revellers intoxicated with carnival fervour did.
Janina Neal, Eternity Mas Band
“I just made up my mind. I am not from the south side but I came all di way back a Martin’s to join Eternity. I am way from north side but
I will big up south side because this is my group and you can see more on carnival day.”
Keith Swift,
But at the rate you’re going, you think you’ll have energy on carnival day?
Janina Neal,
“We’re going to have more energy than this. You guys have not even seen our costumes, our costumes are beautiful.”
These are their costumes. Misty Williams is the band’s designer.
Misty Williams, Eternity Mas Band
“We are portraying roots and culture, roots being where we came from and culture. Why we choose culture is because we feel that our culture di fade and we want to show that it actually could grow and it could be strong so that is why we chose roots and culture.
You know when you first come out as a group it is different because you’re just experiencing certain things and after you experience then you know what is your weakness and what is your strength. So this year we are hyper and pretty costumes. Every time you come out you supposed be better and we will be better this year.”
And from Ring Road to Dean Street where carnival revellers flooded the street again. The difference was that the revellers were adults – members of
Black Pearl’s senior band.
Shakira Terry, Black Pearl
“I like enjoy myself and that is why I came into carnival. You know a lot of violence is happening in Belize nowadays so this is just to free up yourself from all the violence and the stress. It takes you away for the moment. When you get in the carnival spirit you feel, just an enjoyment feeling.”
Black Pearl has been participating in carnival for 20 years as a junior band. This will be their first year submitting a senior band.
Kendra Bulwer, Black Pearl
“Black Pearl senior band this year will be presenting the three concepts of peace, love, and harmony. As you can see we have beautiful costumes on display here at our mas camp tonight. We have the red section which represents the love, the colourful section which is the harmony and the white section which represents the peace. And in Belize we really really need to come together as one with peace, love, and harmony which in the end brings freedom and love for us in Belize.”
But that won’t lead them to victory if these masqueraders from Erotic Mas band get their way.
Kim Burgess, Erotic Mas Band
“It is the hype, the fun, the music, man you have to experience it for yourself. It is all about fun, the hypeness, the music, and the people you
meet.”
Delone Roches, Erotic Mas Band
“It is something that I always wanted to do and now I am going to the gym so I’m in good shape.”
Keith Swift,
You having fun?
Delone Roches,
“Yes.”
And while the revellers revelled – carnival veteran David Matus and his team diligently worked upstairs – on costumes for their 120 revellers.
David Matus, Erotic Mas Band
“Well Erotic took a break last year, we didn’t partake as Erotic Band so this year we came out stronger and better because we’ve been planning for a year. This year we are doing journey; land, people, and sea which is land being the rainforest we have to offer, the exotic rainforest, people depicting the African slaves who came to the British settlement, and the sea we are well known for.
I think we’ve given them a break to catch up where we left off from so we been taking king, queen, and the road march for the past years that we came out so we’re giving them a chance to catch up to where we were and we’re back in full force.”
But to win, Erotic will have to top her, him, and definitely him.
[Video montage]
Eddy Sanford, Mother Nature’s Mas Band
“I am having a great time. I
can’t wait til carnival 2008.”
Nikita Jones, Mother Nature’s Creation
“This is my second year. Why I joined carnival, nothing but love and respect getting to know a lot of people, a lot of fun, and a lot of drinks with people and a lot of energy.”
And that energy is probably because Mother Nature’s Creation won last year. Band leader Carla Flowers their 146 strong platoon of masqueraders will defend the title come carnival day.
Carla Flowers, Mother Nature’s Creation
“The theme for this year: The Myth of Fire and Water, Death and Reincarnation. You can expect better this year; beautiful colors, bigger costumes, and better dancing.”
And until carnival day there is sure to be a lot more of that – dancing - but also working – and then, more dancing.
If you’ve caught the carnival fever there is still time to get in it but it will cost you. $125 will get you into the Eternity Mas Band. They have a few spaces left. You’re out of luck if you want to join the Erotic Band because their costumes ranging from $250 to $300 are sold out. The best deal is with Belizean Legacy, they have dropped their price from $125 to $75.
The carnival road march is Saturday September 6th. It starts at 1:30 on Caesar Ridge Road and will end in the Marion Jones parking lot. The kings and queens will be judged in front of BWSL. Remember the jouvert is at 4 am on carnival day.
