About this listing
Storefront where costumes are made for the West-Indian Day Parade
Place Details
Borough : Brooklyn
Neighborhood : East Flastbush
Place Matters Profile
Walking up and down the streets of Crown Heights, Brooklyn in late summer, one can pass dozens of lots and storefronts that have become home to the many "mas camps" in various stages of preparation for the West Indian-American Day Carnival held over Labor Day weekend. On Church Street alone, the names stand out--"Mango Tree Productions Mas Camp," "Nutmeg Mas Camp," "Veggie Castle Mas Camp," "Klub Carnival," and the "Original Blackfoot Mas Camp"--just to name a few. "Mas" (short for "masquerade") camps produce the costumes, which are an integral part of the Carnival celebration and parade. The parade, held on Eastern Parkway, is the City's largest, attracting two million people and bringing in $300 million in revenue. The parade is modeled after the Carnival in Trinidad, the roots of which are in the pre-Lenten festivities usually held in January or February. These traditions were brought to Trinidad by white planters, who had come to the island from nearby French colonies
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Walking up and down the streets of Crown Heights, Brooklyn in late summer, one can pass dozens of lots and storefronts that have become home to the many "mas camps" in various stages of preparation for the West Indian-American Day Carnival held over Labor Day weekend. On Church Street alone, the names stand out--"Mango Tree Productions Mas Camp," "Nutmeg Mas Camp," "Veggie Castle Mas Camp," "Klub Carnival," and the "Original Blackfoot Mas Camp"--just to name a few. "Mas" (short for "masquerade") camps produce the costumes, which are an integral part of the Carnival celebration and parade. The parade, held on Eastern Parkway, is the City's largest, attracting two million people and bringing in $300 million in revenue. The parade is modeled after the Carnival in Trinidad, the roots of which are in the pre-Lenten festivities usually held in January or February. These traditions were brought to Trinidad by white planters, who had come to the island from nearby French colonies during the 1700s. In the early 19th century, African slaves began their own processions and Carnival celebrations.
In New York City, the West Indian-American Day Parade actually began in Harlem in the 1930s. As the city's Caribbean community grew to over half a million people, many settled in Brooklyn and the parade was relocated there. In 1947, the celebrations were rescheduled for the warmer months over Labor Day weekend, although some say it was to break the Carnival's connection to Catholicism and to help attract West Indians of other religions. In 1967 the parade was organized for the first time at Grand Army Plaza, and in 1969, the "West Indian-American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA)" committee led by President Carlos Lezama, was founded and has since been organizing the grand event.
Though the parade was modeled after the Trinidadian Carnival, it has always had a pan-West Indian flavor. The Trinidadian traditions and community have traditionally dominated the activities, although there is participation from immigrants from other English-speaking countries of the region. This is gradually changing--one can now see representation from throughout the French and Spanish-speaking Caribbean, including places that do not necessarily have a Carnival tradition such as Aruba, the Dominican Republic, Curacao, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada and Haiti.
Though Carnival is a mixture of music, dancing, and food, it is the celebration's visual aspect--the costumes--that are most remembered. Some of the mas camps that produce the costumes, have been around for over 25 years. The Original Blackfoot Mas Camp, in particular, had early beginnings. Originally part of the "Borough Kings," they later split off to become the "Blackfoot Mas Camp." Six years ago some members split off and became "Blackfoot USA." Original members Brian Herbert and David Romaine remained with the Original Blackfoot Mas Camp. Both Brian and David are from Trinidad where they were introduced to mas camps and costume design at a young age. The Original Blackfoot Mas Camp produces all the costumes used by their "band," the group of masqueraders who dance together to a musical group they hire for the procession. Bands can consist of up to 500 people (a band in Trinidad may have 6,000 people), and a kid's band can have about 150. For bands, the "mas" usually makes about nine really elaborate costumes.
The fanciful costumes are inspired by anything from history, politics, current events, mythology, and popular culture. For Brian Herbert, the process of coming up with the band's theme starts immediately after the previous year's parade has ended: "In my mind everyday until next year regardless of what, I'll be doing research in the library or I'll get videotapes and I'll go from there. If I'm doing something historic of course then I'll need information. If I'm doing something creative then I'll just have to come from a creative standpoint." They provide all the raw materials, and members of the mas camp, along with their friends, family, and neighbors, who volunteer their time to help, make all the costumes.
At the end of summer from early in the morning to late at night mas campers are at the site preparing for the parade. The locally-made approach of some of the Brooklyn mas camps contrasts quite sharply with the trend to buy costumes from designers in Trinidad. Brian Herbert feels strongly that bought costumes should not be judged on the same criteria. He also feels that there is a profound difference in "the making" of costumes: "You go to a mas camp where they are not producing the costumes you won't feel a spiritual feeling. Because you are actually just buying and selling, but you are not selling what you produce. So it's all different, I know they don't feel like I feel when I see my band on the Parkway because we see things we produce."
Keeping a mas camp active is not easy. Locations can be expensive and sometimes the camp has to move which makes it hard for clientele to find and contact them. The Original Blackfoot Mas Camp has had to move four times. They now have acquired an empty lot, which they paved over using their own funds, and built a stage. During the Carnival season (June to September) they obtain permits to produce concerts and benefit parties. Most mas camps provide performances and performance space to raise money, and also to create excitement leading up to the parade. Internationally known artists, such as Magic Shadow and Baron, regularly perform. During the year to cover overhead expenses the Original Blackfoot Mas Camp is considering renting out a flea market site or holding a furniture auction to generate funds. With all the expenses and work why do they continue to do what they do year after year? David says, "We do this because it is our culture. In Trinidad they say, 'It's the mas and me.'"
