Pages

Sunday, March 6, 2011

136

Blue Devil

In just a couple hours traditional mas' characters like this little guy and others are gonna take to the pre- dawn darkened streets for J'ourvert (Jour ourvert) to start or open the carnival festivities in Port of Spain. From the Patois for "devil"  and "molasses" the simple costume consists of short pants with a wire tail, horns and a pitchfork. In olden days they smeared themselves with molasses. Nowadays the whole body is smeared with grease, mud, paint or chocolate. This blue devil was spotted at my son's school carnival parade. Jab Molassies are usually accompanied by imps beating tins who attempt to restrain him by pulling on the rope or chain around his neck.They put on quite a show and try to scare onlookers by banging on tins blowing whistles demanding that you pay the devil in order to be left alone.

No comments:

Post a Comment