Bacchanal, mas camps in full swing for Carnival Season

The September celebrations are fast approaching, the hottest ticket for the season has got to be the carnival. Mas camps got underway on Tuesday night to give the judges an opportunity to view the colorful and intricate costumes that have been under preparation for months; it all leads to the grand road march on September eighth. The season opened with three bands; each portraying a different theme. There was hype and energy among the revelers and Safiyyah caught the fever.  Here’s her report.

Safiyyah Mohammed, Reporting

Carnival Road March 2012 is right around the corner. It is one of the most anticipated parts of the September Celebrations for both children and adults alike. One of the yearly traditions leading up to the big day is the Mas Camp, where there is an early viewing of the costumes by the judges. This has rapidly become an all out party where the revelers show off what they’ve got to bring to the competition for carnival day.

Our first stop for the night was the junior band, Sunshine Masqueraders. Their energy level was high and the excitement for the road march even higher.

Marilee Young

Marilee Young, Organizer, Sunshine Masqueraders

“Our theme is Mayan Heritage. We are portraying the rain God and the moon God. The colors we will use is silver and blue for the queen and gold and black for the king.”

Miss Young wanted to wish luck to all the other junior bands and let other interested kids know, she still has space.

Marilee Young

“I will just say I wish everybody the best. But for me if I could get, we still have space for more dancers because the number should have been seventy-five and we haven’t met it as yet but we will work with whatsoever we have but if there is any more parents that is interested and they want to join they can come and see us.”

Our second stop for the night was senior band, Oceana’s Soca Moca, where we met band Organizer Pauline Bradley and she told us about their Pirates Of the Caribbean theme.

Pauline Bradley

Pauline Bradley, Organizer, Oceana Soca Moca

“The theme came from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean and we think it would be a perfect match for us to do it this year being that Belize is a Caribbean. This year we are doing four sections. Section number one is Tiadelma, the Priestest. Section two is the pirates which is Davey Jones. Section three is Queen Serena and section four is King Kracken.”

The Revelers of the Soco Moca squad were all super amped for carnival day as well.

Reveler # 1

“We ready fi carnival the eighth of September we ready! Oceana Soca Moca!! Cause u don know! We wa tek it this year to mien.”

Our final stop for the night was Eternity Mas Band.

Tara Williams

Tara Williams, Organizer, Eternity Mas Band

“This year we decided to do Belize Public Service, serving the people. But we also threw in Digicell to show, you know, how you need your phone service to get to the police your nurse, you know. It’s gonna be a great Carnival this year lots of colors lots of groups lots a competition and let’s all have fun.”

I also spoke to one of the Masqueraders to see how she was feeling leading up to the road march.

Reveler #2

“Well eternity mass band practice every Sunday. With me, I am somebody that walks everyday; you can’t go wrong. My favorite part is when everybody enjoys themselves, one day, no quarrelling just pure love.”

Safiyyah Mohammed

Safiyyah Mohammed

“Alright that’s it for night one of the Mas Camps. We saw the Junior Band Sunshine Masqueraders. We saw Soca Moca and now we’re here at eternity ending of the night. Join us again tomorrow when we join the rest of the carnival groups. Bye, Bye!”