Trinidadians celebrate Carnival with a new Calypso King

Soca Star Machel Montano wins his first Calypso Monarch crown at the Dimanche Gras show held over the weekend at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain. He won the grand prize of TT$500,000 in prize money and a TT$350,000 Grand Vitara SUV, in which he seated his mother.

Forty-nine-year-old Montano said, “I feel very overwhelmed, because I could not have dreamed of this happening. In all my years I could not have seen this happening. That will take some stepping back.”

Another section of the carnival band “Ancestral Warriors” on stage in Couva, Trinidad on Carnival Tuesday, Feb.13, 2024. Photo by Devika Ragoonanan

Going to school (university) and being someone to write a calypso and realising what an experience it is. I did not have that kind of confidence within me but something flowed. Something flowed from somewhere.”

Masquerader Joseph Lewis won the 2024 King of Carnival, with his portrayal of Xhirkomak – Lord of The Underworld. This is his third time winning the title which he also won in 2019 and 2022.

Bacchanal Sailors cross the stage in Couva, Trinidad on Tuesday evening, Feb.13, 2024. Photo by Devika Ragoonanan

Masquerader Roxanne Omala won the Queen of Carnival 2024 with the portrayal of Queen Tarantula. This is her second time winning the title, after she won in 2020.

Meanwhile, at the 2024 Panorama finals both BP Renegades and Massy Trinidad All Stars tied for the crown. Renegades also won the title last year.

Members of the carnival band “Ancestral Warriors” on stage in Couva, Trinidad on Carnival Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024.Photo by Devika Ragoonanan

The action continued into Monday and Tuesday as many came out in their numbers to participate in this year’s Carnival celebration. It started with J’ouvert early Monday morning well before dawn and peaked a few hours after sunrise, with a procession of band members parading with mud, oil, paint and powder behind music trucks.

Another section of the carnival band “Ancestral Warriors” on stage in Couva, Trinidad on Carnival Tuesday, Feb.13, 2024.Photo by Devika Ragoonanan

Later on, there was the Parade of the Bands with masqueraders parading the streets of the city in their various costumes usually showcasing the island’s talent and culture.

Carnival is part of Trinidad and Tobago’s rich cultural heritage and originated in the late eighteenth century. Today the island’s Carnival is known as “The Greatest Show On Earth” and is enjoyed by many people from all around the world coming to the twin isle to indulge in the celebrations.