BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - OVER the years, during and after Carnival celebrations, many people complained that the St. Kitts Carnival has gotten dull, boring and has lost its flavor. But is this a reality, or is it because many of us refuse to participate but are yet the same people who complain?
SKNVibes PEP took to the street to get people’s response on “Has Carnival, in your opinion, gotten better or worse over the years?” And this is what some of them had to say:
Ronette’s response was very short when she said, “Carnival is becoming worse because there is less participation and more crime.”
Kenneth said it is becoming worse because “the carnival season is being poorly organised as time goes by, and I don’t think we come out to have fun and enjoy ourselves. Most of us come out to watch people instead of being a part of the Carnival”.
Twenty-five-year-old Kim, who has been playing mass every year since age five, said, “Carnival is getting worse. In my opinion, they concentrate on Music Festival more and the same people who do music fest is the same who do Carnival. So, after the music fest, they are drawn out. The committees are so politically stated and many aged people are on them, so their ideas are old fashioned.”
She continued by adding that “St. Kitts Carnival was real when Mrs. Hull had her parade troupe and Stacey Hobson and the children carnival were more alive. In those days they had real street warm up jamming and the activities that were placed on the Carnival line-up use to all occur. Now many of the activities on the line-up don’t take place”.
Nu Vybes Band Manager Seth Saheli said Carnival has been better over the years, adding, “We are a developing country and Carnival has grown and developed. It’s only left now for the people to develop their minds towards Carnival and participate rather than stand on the side and be critics.”
Phonse said, “To me, the quality and input from the committee has declined. I think Carnival should mean activities non-stop for a particular period.” He added that better incentives and sponsorship are needed for people with sideline events that contribute to the Carnival fever. “This year seem like it would be good though, but I think it fluctuates and the committee just needs a shift every now and then.”
Last was Garth, who said Carnival has been lukewarm for the past few years. “The added violence is making the revellers nervous, but I will say that the persons who genuinely love Carnival are participating regardless. These are the people who work hard and play hard and just enjoy what Carnival stands for, more than the fact that it is a reason to just drink and party and get on bad.”
Now that you have heard these people’s views, remember no matter what your opinion is about Carnival it is a total different experience with your participation. So enter a parade troupe, go to a Carnival show or get out the house at least once this season before you say, “De Carnival no been dey no way.”
