Satiricus couldn’t wait to get down to the Back Street Bar. He had his best assignment in years when his editor sent him over to cover the various goings-on with this new “Carnival” to celebrate Independence Day. If the fellas thought the Mashramani Parade gave them the opportunity to drink and ogle females even when their wives were around, wait till they heard about these Trini events!!
“Budday, you have to be there to see this new Carnival sport!” said Satiricus, barely able to keep down his excitement.
“Suh tell abee, na?” asked Bungi laconically, as he sipped his beer. “You get free ticket; abee cyaan afford dem price!”
“Well, imagine things started out with ‘Stink and Dutty J’Ouvert’ at 2 am!” reported Satiricus.
“Wha’ da?” asked Cappo curiously.
“People paint up their bodies and faces and look just like when you used to finish cut cane!!” said Satiricus. “They then drink and wine-down till daybreak!”
“Suh dem do all kine a t’ing “unda covah”!!” said Cappo. “But budday, when me bin done wuk, me could only fall in me hammock and res’!”
“They took care of that,” said Satiricus. “After J’Ouvert, they had a “_uck the wuk” party!! Put in “F” or “D”!!”
“But if abee ‘_uck the wuk’, who guh min’ abee fam’ly?” asked Bungi curiously.
“Well, we’re independent now,” suggested Satiricus. “Maybe with oil coming, we don’t have to work?”
“Sato, why we had to import this sport from the Trinis?” asked Hari, who had been listening quietly. “They had their own history, you know.”
“What’s that?” replied Satiricus.
“Well, the French planters who had their Carnival Balls didn’t allow slaves to participate,” explained Hari. “They had to sport outside, and painted their faces not to be recognised.”
“But it’s a Caribbean thing!” protested Satiricus. “All the islands doing it!”
“But abee neva had French lack abee out fram dem Carnival Ball,” said Cappo.
“And nobody celebrates their independence with Carnival!!” said Hari, in disgust.
Satiricus picked up his beer and said, “Oh?”
