Flirting, lewd behavior and SEX at Trinidad carnival?
We are part way through the carnival dry season, where little to no news on carnival anywhere can be found (I’m dying here!). Thankfully Barbados is gearing up for Cropover and Trinidad band launches should be starting up at early as July!
In the meantime instead of watching the carnival paint dry, we here at lehwego will try to entertain you with fun exciting topics for discussion, like todays topic. This topic came about from the discussion of this photo.
Of course, as you can imagine, there was a firestorm of opinions, mostly negative, about what was apparently happening here. I was in the area and saw photos from other angles. No…he did not lose control and decide to swallow her whole, anaconda style. He was lifting her up, they lost balance a bit and the perspective of the photo just made it look all wrong. I found it interesting that all the negative comments were directed against the woman as if she leapt on the unsuspecting man while he was on his way to church!
The whole furor raised the question of what part sexuality plays in the carnival experience. Should it have a part to play at all?
Of course carnival is about culture and comraderie etc. but sexuality does play a part and that’s what we are going to discuss today. My personal opinion is this. From a man’s point of view it really depends on you, what you expect and your personal relationship status among other things, but in general carnival is a rather sexually charged affair.
Where does it fit in?
Many men spend the year as quiet Clark Kents, unseen, just another guy in a suit, be it a jumpsuit or 3 peice. Carnival can be the outlet that a man needs to feel young and vibrant again. For women the same issues can apply….Do women have mid life crises like men do? I think so! In the Caribbean and abroad there are many successful women who to some extent need an outlet to express their sexuality. This expression can range from batting an eyelid all the way up to “leggo beast!”. Carnival presents the perfect opportunity for that. Did I mention I love carnival?
No holds barred
You see, for those two days during trinidad carnival everything changes. The cultural and societal norms we are used to are literally suspended and new rules apply.
Ladies, what other time or place could a man you don’t know from Adam simply walk up to you and just TAKE a wine? What other time of year would that man actually get back a wine from the said woman? Where else would a stush executive who rules her office with an iron fist be seen prancing in a G-string and nipple pasties flinging wine on all and sundry!
During my extensive facebook “research” on this topic I found that many women admitted to taking advantage of the relaxation of the normal rules to flirt. Some danced in ways that can only be described as “dirty” (I think I saw a woman possessed by the devil on the road). The overall impression I got was it is a time to do the things you WANT to do but normally would NEVER do. For men the same was true. The one thing I did not find prevalent was sex. No one I asked said they had any. It was all good ole fashioned fun with none of the wild sex that we all imagine takes place in every nook and cranny during carnival (who started that rumor anyway).
Where do you stand?
Trinidad carnival Monday and Tuesday are a marathon of exhibitionism, narcissism, voyeurism and other behaviors that would be unacceptable outside carnival, and you know what…..WHO VEX?! Thats why many people go! To taste almost absolute freedom, to express a otherwise hidden portion of themselves.
The secret is to find your (and surrounding persons) limits and abide by them. ENJOY YOURSELF TODAY, no one has promised you tomorrow:)
HOW FAR DO YOU GO?
In the end it probably our opinions changing as we become old fogeys. Think back to when you were 25……was skimpy clothing and Bruk out wining so bad a thing at that age?:)
I am 33 years old, and have been playing mas since I was five. I have been to carnivas all over the world and I must say that in my opinion, as younger generations get involved with carnival, it just gets less discrete. Ah mean, wine down de place, but yuh doh have to be exposin’ yuh cyat and yuh breast to have fun. We could play ah mas and get on stink, but bring the decency back in carnival.
I have no problem doing outrageous things, once we do it safe, if is sex— use condoms, if is half nakedness—– walk with a crowd, if is drunk—– have some partnas—- if is driving—- designate
Oh and that said, no matter how much fun I’m having and how much man I wine down on the road…both my feet have never left the ground same time…I don’t need all that to feel like I’m having a great time or to draw a man’s attention. Alcohol might mek mi nice, but never THAT nice! But it makes for great dramatic photography though, i catch ALL misbehaviour as I pass by! 🙂
LMAO of course no one is going to tell you they have sex at carnival…the fact that the government/bands hand out oodles of condoms in every goody bag (the number INCREASED this year from what was in the bags last year!) kind of points to an obvious increase in casual sex whether anyone admits to it or not.
And the guys still think the girls in the pasties especially and the thongs secondarily are the freaks whether it’s true or not…
But since many as you say are professionals and just ladies and gentlemen the other 363-364 days of the year…you know what they say…real ladies and real gentlemen do not kiss and tell!
That said, your cuz had a point back when too…no matter how sexy that person(s) you meet and what your mind imagine doing to them after you see how their waistline move/body look/face look/all the above…you’re going to be TIRED when carnival done…
Interestingly, control and expression of her individual sexuality is one of the arguments I’ve seen used to support the female characters of the dancehall…what do you say to that and if they are no different as the similar sentiment implies…how do we justify allowing carnival in the major streets of Kingston but never a dancehall street dance to take over like that, they have to hold their corners?
Just wondering, no horse in the race either way.
I agree. Carnival is a time to be loose and free, and while I think that can mean different things to different people… it is all about good, clean fun.
I travel to carnival with my #1 liming partner – MY HUSBAND, but that in no way stops the vibes. He is in euphoria over the fact that once we step foot in Trinidad, my girlfriends are no longer off limits. LOL
Any other time of the year, he would be in trouble for his actions, but he tells everyone, “Carnival is the one time of year where I can take free wines on all of my wife’s friends, and not get the beat down!” LOL LOL
But it is all good vibes, because THAT rule is a two way street. I have girlfriends he can wine on, and he has cousins, friends… and hey…I do not turn down wines from perfect strangers either. The carnival world is my winin oyster! LOL
When the fetes end, the boats dock, the costumes and make up comes off, and Ash Wednesday dawns…. it is back to the home, house, kids, bills, lol… but we have some sweet memories to laugh over and nice reminiscing conversations to tide us over until the band launches in July, and the excitement starts all over again!
Carnival is time to free up yourself. If you spend your money, enjoy it how you choose to. Besides it only comes once a year and when it done…it DONE (till next year at least)