BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WINSTON ‘ZACK’ NISBETT is of the view that the National Carnival Committee needs his expertise to help salvage the Sugar Mas and preserve its culture.
Recently named a recipient of the Queen’s New Year Honour in St. Kitts and Nevis with a Medal of Honour, Nisbett, a cultural preservation consultant and also known as the ‘Doctor of Culture’, in an exclusive interview with SKNVibes said that he could play an integral role in the nation’s carnival.
“Our culture is losing its full potential and I believe I can play an important role in preserving this, as it has gone down over the years,” he said.
Speaking specifically to folklore, Nisbett said that at times when some individuals are performing on the streets they are not attired in the proper garments that befit the occasion.
“Now and then you see a little masquerade and you see a bull but not properly dressed. Even players not properly dressed. And have the clowns dancing when you have the clown troupe; they don’t be properly dressed, they don’t have on gloves. Clowns are supposed to be a sequence doing specific dances…the only person who can get them back is this man,” he said.
Sugar Mas 40:40 Non-Stop Mas and Party was launched on October 15 and will be celebrating 40 years of carnival with 40 days or nights of various events.
The official opening ceremony will take place on November 25, and for the first time in carnival history, a woman, Shannon Hawley will be the chairperson.
Many persons have also commented on the carnival, noting that past folklore and traditions are no longer a part of the annual event.
“A lot of things that happened over the years are the serenading, street dancing, going house to house, going to people’s homes and singing carols, where they would invite you in and give you some cake, or some wine or sorrel. None of this is happening anymore,” Nisbett said.
“When visitors come they want to see what we have to offer. I would like to see all the traditional things we used to do brought back,” he added.
He said those past folklores and traditions included David and Goliath, Children of Israel, Haile Selassie and Mozzalini, Sagwa, Cowboys and Indians, Neaga Business, Uncle Sam and the John Bull.
“I would like them (committee) to come sit down with me and ask me to advise them because it’s the same ol’ thing we’ll see. If they give me a chance to do what I have to do you will see a complete difference, and I think I’m the fittest person for this,” he said.
