Shorts
Description: This image of the seed pods from a royal poinciana tree were a regular part of my childhood.
Poinciana Shorts
$27
Description: Midnight Robber is one of the most popular and recognisable traditional mas' characters of Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, and as a child, just hearing their whistles terrified me! The Midnight Robber speaks vengeance upon the corrupt, the greedy, the immoral (e.g. aristocracy, politicians, criminals, et al) with the wickedest spoken word street performance you'll ever see. In this way, the Robber is reminiscent of the African Griot. Easily spotted by his broad brimmed black hat, skulls, coffin and weaponry, the thing that makes any true Midnight Robber really stand out is the quality of his lyrics and the terror-inducing capabilities of his costume and accessories. Lyrics featured are from the song "Calypso Music" by David Michael Rudder
Description: Sailor Mas is a traditional Carnival costume and street performance that evolved in response to the presence of American sailors in Trinidad & Tobago during war times. To play this mas properly you have to do the dance that looks like a sailor drifting across the deck either to counter the rolling waves or the amount of rum he drank!
Description: The Moko Jumbie was regarded as a protector whose towering height made it easier to see evil before ordinary men and warn the village of impending danger. In T&T Carnival Moko Jumbie often played to Carnival spectators watching from balconies and second story windows as the parade passed by. There's so much more to tell. Definitely go look these Jumbies up!
Description: Inspired by Trinidad & Tobago Carnival and Machel Montano's 2016 Soca hit because I know what it feels like to be on the road playing mas in full costume and finally reach the stage only to be held back by security while you wait for the section before yours to move off. The anticipation of bouncing on the balls of your feet, saving your big energy burst and best dance moves for the stage... getting wound up and excited knowing that soon the security will clear the way and it will be your turn to prance all over the stage, show off your costume, dance yuh heart out to the music, and play yuh mas like it's the only thing that will ever matter in the universe. Pure ecstasy!!
Description: In Trinidad & Tobago, one of the best things is the multicultural population. My friends came from so many different religions, races, ethnic origins, cultures and it was spectacular. I will never forget the first time I attended an Indian wedding in T&T - the pomp, the majesty, the clothing
