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Caribbean Carnival Guides

Guides and explainers on Caribbean carnival culture — Caribana, the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Kings & Queen competitions, mas, steelpan, and soca — from Spirit of Caribbean Arts.

History

Caribbean History in Toronto: Past and Present

Caribbean History in Toronto: Past and Present

From early arrivals to Caribana and today, a guide to Caribbean history in Toronto — how the community built culture, business, and celebration in the city.

The Caribbean Diaspora in Toronto

The Caribbean Diaspora in Toronto

Toronto is home to one of the largest Caribbean communities in Canada. A guide to the Caribbean diaspora in Toronto — its history, culture, and impact.

The History of Caribana: From 1967 to Today

The History of Caribana: From 1967 to Today

Caribana began in 1967 as a gift to Canada's centennial. Here's the history of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival — its origins, growth, and legacy.

Emancipation and Carnival: The Freedom Behind the Celebration

Emancipation and Carnival: The Freedom Behind the Celebration

Caribbean carnival is rooted in Emancipation from slavery. Here's the history connecting freedom, Canboulay, and the carnival we celebrate today.

Characters

Jab Molassie: The Devil Mas of Carnival

Jab Molassie: The Devil Mas of Carnival

Jab Molassie is carnival's devil mas — performers covered in oil, mud, or molasses. Here's the meaning and history of this powerful J'ouvert tradition.

The Midnight Robber: Carnival's Master of Robber Talk

The Midnight Robber: Carnival's Master of Robber Talk

The Midnight Robber is a theatrical carnival character famous for grandiose 'robber talk'. Here's the history and meaning of this traditional mas figure.

Dame Lorraine: Carnival's Satirical Grande Dame

Dame Lorraine: Carnival's Satirical Grande Dame

Dame Lorraine is a traditional carnival character that satirised the colonial elite. Here's the history and meaning of this comic masquerade figure.

Moko Jumbie: The Stiltwalkers of Carnival

Moko Jumbie: The Stiltwalkers of Carnival

The Moko Jumbie is carnival's towering stiltwalker — a guardian spirit rooted in West African tradition. Here's the meaning and history of the Moko Jumbie.

Music

The History of Soca Music

The History of Soca Music

Soca was born in 1970s Trinidad as an evolution of calypso. Here's the history of soca music — its origins, its creator, and how it powers carnival today.

Road March & Soca Monarch: Carnival's Music Titles Explained

Road March & Soca Monarch: Carnival's Music Titles Explained

What is the Road March? What is the Soca Monarch? A simple guide to carnival's biggest music competitions and how the 'song of carnival' is crowned.

Soca vs Calypso: What's the Difference?

Soca vs Calypso: What's the Difference?

Soca and calypso are related but distinct Caribbean music genres. Here's the difference — origins, sound, and their roles in carnival — explained simply.

Culture

The Caribbean Flags You'll See at Carnival

The Caribbean Flags You'll See at Carnival

Trinidad, Jamaica, Guyana, Haiti and more — a guide to the Caribbean flags waved at Caribana and carnival, and why they matter.

Caribbean Carnival Food: What to Eat at Caribana

Caribbean Carnival Food: What to Eat at Caribana

Doubles, roti, jerk chicken, corn soup — a guide to the Caribbean food you'll find at Caribana and carnival, and what each dish is.

Steelpan

How to Play Steelpan: A Beginner's Guide

How to Play Steelpan: A Beginner's Guide

Curious how the steel drum works? A beginner's guide to playing steelpan — the notes, the sticks, the types of pan, and how to start learning.

Pan Alive & Panorama: The Steelband Competition, Explained

Pan Alive & Panorama: The Steelband Competition, Explained

Pan Alive is Toronto's big steelband competition; Panorama is its Trinidadian counterpart. Here's how steelpan competitions work and why they matter.

The History of Steelpan: How the Steel Drum Was Born

The History of Steelpan: How the Steel Drum Was Born

The steelpan is the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century — born in Trinidad from oil drums. Here's the history of steelpan, explained.

Carnival

The Caribana Grand Parade: Route & What to Expect

The Caribana Grand Parade: Route & What to Expect

Where does the Caribana Grand Parade go? A guide to the Toronto Caribbean Carnival parade route, timing, free viewing, and what to expect on the day.

Caribbean Carnival Around the World

Caribbean Carnival Around the World

From Trinidad to Toronto, Notting Hill to Brooklyn, Caribbean carnival is celebrated worldwide. A guide to the biggest carnivals and how they connect.

How to Play Mas: Joining a Carnival Band, Step by Step

How to Play Mas: Joining a Carnival Band, Step by Step

Want to play mas at Caribana? Here's how to join a carnival mas band step by step — choosing a band, registering, your costume, and parade day.

Junior Carnival: Kids at the Toronto Caribbean Carnival

Junior Carnival: Kids at the Toronto Caribbean Carnival

Junior Carnival is the children's parade of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival. Here's what it is, why it matters, and how young masqueraders take the road.

Traditional Mas Characters: Moko Jumbie, Midnight Robber & More

Traditional Mas Characters: Moko Jumbie, Midnight Robber & More

Before pretty mas there were the folkloric characters — Moko Jumbie, Midnight Robber, Jab Molassie, Dame Lorraine. A guide to traditional mas characters.

A Caribbean Carnival Glossary: Key Terms Explained

A Caribbean Carnival Glossary: Key Terms Explained

Mas, soca, J'ouvert, pan, Moko Jumbie — a plain-English glossary of the key Caribbean carnival terms you'll hear at Caribana and beyond.

Caribana for First-Timers: A Practical Guide

Caribana for First-Timers: A Practical Guide

Going to Caribana (the Toronto Caribbean Carnival) for the first time? Here's a practical first-timer's guide — what to expect, what to bring, and how to enjoy

What Is J'ouvert? Carnival's Dawn Celebration Explained

What Is J'ouvert? Carnival's Dawn Celebration Explained

J'ouvert is the pre-dawn opening of carnival — mud, paint, and old mas. Here's what J'ouvert means, where it comes from, and why it matters.

What Is Mas? Playing Mas in Caribbean Carnival Explained

What Is Mas? Playing Mas in Caribbean Carnival Explained

Mas is the costumed masquerade at the heart of Caribbean carnival. Here's what 'playing mas' means, where it comes from, and how mas bands work.

Kings & Queen of the Bands: Carnival's Costume Competition, Explained

Kings & Queen of the Bands: Carnival's Costume Competition, Explained

What is the Kings and Queen competition at Caribbean Carnival? A guide to the giant mas costumes, how they're built, how they're judged, and why they matter.

The Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana), Explained

The Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana), Explained

A plain-English guide to the Toronto Caribbean Carnival — also called Caribana: its history, who runs it, the Grand Parade, King & Queen, Pan Alive, and what it

What Is Caribana? A Guide to Toronto's Caribbean Carnival

What Is Caribana? A Guide to Toronto's Caribbean Carnival

Caribana is Toronto's Caribbean Carnival — a celebration of mas, steelpan, and soca rooted in Emancipation. Here's its history, what happens, and who runs it.

Carnival Arts

How Carnival Mas Costumes Are Made

How Carnival Mas Costumes Are Made

From wire-bending to feathers, here's how carnival mas costumes are made — the endangered craft behind Caribbean carnival, explained step by step.