Times are hard. Hundreds of residents have lost their jobs. Prices are up and funds are down, but the economic situation does not seem to be daunting mas’ players; neither does the fact that costume prices have increased by as much as $150. For examples, Dynamics, whose highest priced costume last year was $650 is now $850. Exotique Mas’ least expensive costume jumped from $600 last year to $750 this year. To play mas’ with Xtreme, revellers have to dish out a hefty $850 and to jam with Myst on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, masqueraders must fork over $750 to $900.
Whatever the cost, diehard revellers are determined to don their costumes and hit the streets come Carnival Monday and Tuesday. Never mind that they’ll only be wearing the costumes for two days; and that by the time they’re done with the getup, it will probably be in shreds.
Ask any seasoned mas’ player and they’ll tell you it’s all about the experience. Some get their kicks out of dolling up and parading through the streets. For others, it’s the jumping and jamming to the pulsating rhythms of the festival.
A 34-year-old Dynamics reveller, who’s been with the troupe for 32 years, said the country’s economic situation only affected her decision to play mas’ until last week. The single mother said she and her daughter have signed up with the troupe and will be hitting the streets in costume come Carnival Monday and Tuesday. It’s just that it’s taken her longer than usual to make the decision. But she’s jamming in costume, though.
“That’s the only part of Carnival I enjoy besides Lions,” she told OBSERVER Entertainment. “I don’t really do the shows, I just play mas’.”
A 45-year-old human resources manager has similar sentiments. The Dynamics reveller said each year there’s always some provision in her budget for playing mas’.
“From an economical point of view, I always set aside something for that particular reason. I set aside the money for the experience,” she said, “so I will always have a little something for the experience of playing mas’ or the experience of going to a show. It’s entertainment.”
Another reveller, a married mother of two, said Carnival is the only time of the year she is able to express herself and have fun.
“From all the stress of the year from my job and everything else, I look forward to participating in Carnival every year. So I am still playing mas’ despite the fact that things are hard,” the government worker said. “It’s the only time I’m able to release my stress.”
Playing mas’ is also a way of venting for a 35-year-old sales representative who has been playing mas’ with Xtreme for the past eight years.
“It’s a way of relieving stress for me, no matter the price, no matter anything, just to know that I’ll be able to release the stress Monday and Tuesday on the road,” he told OBSERVER Entertainment. “I can be what I want to be and do what I want to do for those two days and return to my normal life afterwards.”
He said he begins saving for the activity months in advance.
“From the time you know Carnival is coming up, you start putting aside funds for the festival,” he said. “And with playing mas’, it doesn’t matter the cost, once you have the fun, that’s all that matters.”
A 41-year-old Carnival enthusiast who’s also a member of Xtreme said whether the economy is booming or busting, he’ll be playing mas’.
“That hasn’t affected my intentions, you know, because unlike other people I will sacrifice, just cut back on certain things to play mas’ because I am Carnival,” said the aircraft mechanic. “A lot of people have told me they’re not playing this year but that’s not the story with me.”
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