Carnival, Its Origin and Evolution

The Caribbean's carnivals all have several common themes, many originating from Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, based on folklore, culture, religion,and tradition (thus relating to the European use of the word, not amusement rides, as the word "carnival" is often used to mean in American English). Carnival tradition is based on a number of disciplines including: "Playing Mas"/masquerade; calypso music and crowning a Calypso King or Monarch; Panorama (steel band competition); J'ouvert morning; and a number of other traditions.