By Dixie Ann Black
Carnival is an iconic celebration in South Florida and the upcoming Miami Carnival October 5th through 13th is sure not to disappoint. Visions of parades featuring representatives from a cross-section of Caribbean countries, dancing in the streets to rhythmic sounds, tasty Island specialties, special events and magnificent costumes may come immediately to mind. This spectacular tradition is highly anticipated every fall as it fills the Miami streets with electrifying excitement. This is an event to be experienced for sure.
But did you know that elements of Carnival can be traced back to Kemet also known as Egypt? And did you know that elements found in Carnival in the West Indies were also used as a means of secret communication between the slaves?
According to Dave Cooper, a Carnival artist, teacher and wire-bender,
“Some of the patterns of drumming you will hear in Carnival have withstood the Middle Passage.”
He adds, “The ‘Moko jumbie’ or stilt walkers seen at Carnival can be traced back to West Africa.”
Cooper tapped out a rhythm then spoke a warning as an example, “There are six men coming up the path!” He explained that this and many other messages were coded into the beat of the drums.
“Slaves relied on the messages of the drums. These drumbeats were cell phones before phones came into existence. The drumbeats could be heard miles aways and their messages understood by the slaves.”
Over the years, Anthony Irish, Sr., a native of Trinidad and Tobago has served in several leadership capacities related to Carnival. His roles have included president of South Florida Bandleaders Association, Board member of former Broward Carnival and Bandleader of the ‘mas’ bands Fun Generation and Hysteria Carnival since 1997.
Irish noted that, “Over the years Carnival has lost some of the knowledge of the culture behind it.” “We need to bring culture back into Carnival.” And this is the aim of the upcoming Carnival Expo.
As a visionary and passionate preserver of the culture of Carnival, Anthony has reached out to other experienced Carnival icons and supporters to collaborate in providing an additional educational component that will deepen the South Florida community’s knowledge and understanding of the historical and cultural significant of the Miami event.
This educational event will be the first Carnival Expo to be held in Broward County, October 8th through 10th. Its focus is to support the main event, the Miami Carnival, with specific educational events for the youth. Events will include teaching children about the Caribbean culture through informational displays from various countries and hands-on participation in the arts so skillfully displayed in the ongoing professional Miami Carnival. The list includes kids’ workshops, mask making, drumming, wire bending and the option to sample a cross section of Caribbean foods and more. Ideas are still being vetted for an excited final offering of varied events.
The location identified for the event is the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center. The team assembled includes members with personal expertise, as they have all participated in Carnival in various capacities over the years. Their challenge now is to garner the necessary equipment and funding it takes to bring a hands-on historical narrative of a people to life for the next generation.
If you are interested in helping highlight the history of Carnival, Call Anthony Irish at 786-308-6258.
Meanwhile, stay tuned for ongoing information on this, the First Carnival Expo in Broward County.
