​Few may have heard of Aubrey “Bolo” Christopher and his family, but they were among the first Chinese Trinidadians to bring out Carnival bands and to be involved with Calypso. Nicknamed after his favorite bread roll, Bolo came from a family of ten children of Richard Christopher, a Chinese shop owner and businessman and his Venezuelan wife, Narcisa Rodriquez. The family lived on top of their shop at 7 Nelson St. near Tamarind Square. The shop was a grocery and variety store and had a large back yard which was to become a place to hang out for young people who lived in the area.
Bolo was an inquisitive and innovative child who liked to tinker and make things. He made his own bicycle for instance and toys for his siblings to play with. From the age of 11, he began to get dressed up for the Carnival and to play banjo for the bands he took part in.
Between 1927 to 1939, Bolo and his older brothers, Choy Yin and Chin Yu brought out small bands from their home. His mother, Narcisa and his sisters sewed all the costumes, while Choy Yin could make head pieces. A neighbourhood friend, Manzi Lai, would also help out until he too, began bringing out costume bands on his own.
The boys began organizing calypso competitions every Carnival in tent they would set up in the back yard of the shop. Bolo could play several instruments and even composed Calypsos for others as he preferred not to sing.
Bolo was also an athlete, a cyclist who represented Trinidad at his peak. He opened a bike shop which made and sold bikes, and when this business fell off , he began repairing and selling radios. The shop was also importing and selling records and this would lead him to open a small recording studio at the shop. One day, he was asked to help a young calypsonian to record a song called “Yankee Gone”, that had been repurposed from an advertising jingle he had written for Salvatori stores. Bolo liked the tune and pushed the radio stations to play it. It was better known as “Jean and Dinah” and the singer composer was Sparrow.
Richard Christopher, Bolo’s father, never told his family his Chinese name, nor shared much about his early life. When I interviewed Bolo’s sole surviving sibling, a 93 year old sister, Tentie, she said she regretted not taking the trouble to find out. I asked if there was a family plot at the cemetery and there, on one of the headstones, I found the family name in Chinese characters, it is Huang. (Source: Robert Lee, Angelo Bissessarsingh's Virtual Museum of T&T) 

​MINISTER of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell is expecting more tourists to visit TT for Carnival,based on the number of airline flights and cruiseship arrivals. He said so at the launch of the John Cupid Carnival Village, at Queen's Park Savanah, Port of Spain, on the night of February 7.
"The encouraging growth and success of this Carnival Village can be measured in the numbers of patrons who pass through its entrance to experience the events held here.
He said in Carnival 2023, the National Carnival Commission recorded 70,000 patrons visiting the Carnival Village and in 2024, the patronage increased to 100,000.
Mitchell expected Carnival Village this year to exceed 100,000 patrons.
Themed, No Place Like Home, he said Carnival 2025 was shaping up to be one of the most exciting and expansive celebrations in TT's history. "We have already seen a remarkable increase in the number of events, with between 300 to 400 Carnival events and fetes scheduled to take place.
"This year, we have 410 more aircraft arriving to TT from international destinations from February 1 to the first week of March. Therefore, we expect more visitors here during the season."
Mitchell expected visitor spend to surpass the $640 million spent in 2024.
"This visitor spend will provide a great economic stimulus to all involved in the Carnival celebrations, from the accommodation providers, promoters, artistes, taxi drivers, and vendors."
He said Carnival patrons have expressed their thrill and excitement at the variety and quality of events being hosted this season, and he was sure this Carnival would be one to remember. "The impact of this Carnival village will no doubt contribute to success of the season at large."
Mitchell said the Carnival Village exemplified the diversity of Carnival and the variety of all its layers, offering something for everyone. "There will be over 40 vendors selling a range of products, including craft items, tasty cuisine and clothing.
"We are surely in for an unforgettable experience with twenty events covering a wide range of our Carnival music genres from extempo to chutney to calypso and soca."
He encouraged all to come out to support local entertainers and artisans. "Their work is indeed the heartbeat of our cultural industry."
Mitchell said the Government and his ministry remained unwavering in their commitment to supporting local creatives, and ensuring their contributions were recognised, celebrated, and sustained for generations to come.
He espoused the educational benefits of the Carnival Village.
"As in previous years, we are pleased to welcome students on specially designated days to be part of the entertainment.
"This initiative not only immerses young minds in the richness of our culture, but also nurtures the next generation of creatives and cultural ambassadors."
The experiences and networking opportunities they gain will broaden their perspectives, inspire their creativity and instill a deep appreciation for TT's cultural heritage.
"Additionally, as our cruiseship season progresses, we are set to welcome six cruiseships during the period February- March, including the epic carnival experience on the Rhapsody of the Seas, Royal Caribbean, which will be docked for five days at the port of Port-of-Spain, bringing 2,396 passengers eager to revel in our Carnival festivities.
"Recognising the importance of these visitors to our tourism industry, we have tailored special days within the village to ensure that they too, can immerse themselves in our celebrations."
He said a top priority was ensuring safety for all.
"We have put specific measures in place to safeguard both our citizens and visitors alike, ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience for everyone attending the John Cupid Carnival Village."
Mitchell thanked all who had made Carnival 2025 possible, including and organisations the National Carnival Commission, the Regional Carnival Unit and the Carnival Institute, plus the security services for their tireless efforts in bringing the Carnival Village 2025 to fruition.
"Your dedication to excellence and your passion for preserving and elevating our culture do not go unnoticed."
Guests were treated to performances by traditional Carnival characters – screaming jabs jabs, cavorting blue devils, voluptuous dame lorraines, and pierrot grenades.
At one stage, fantastic moko mumbles towered high and danced in time to the fiery notes from a lively tassa band. The happy show was emceed by Darryl Mendoza and Oscar B.
Gospel artiste Jaron Nurse kicked off the musical performances.
Darryl "Farmer Nappy" Henry had guests singing along to his song, How I feeling?
Orlando Octave, Rikki Jai, Freetown Collective and Squeezy Rankin all gave performances keenly lapped up by patrons. ​(Source: Sean Douglas Newsday )

Glass bottles have, once again, been banned by Cabinet during Carnival.
The ban was first introduced in 2020, but it was since 2012 that then Port of Spain mayor Louis Lee Sing had been advocating for the ban.
The Carnival (Prohibition of Glass Bottles) Regulations, 2025, say from 4 am on March 3 to midnight on March 4, only “authorised” people can have, serve or drink from a glass bottle within 100 metres of a Carnival event in a public place.
The only public place glass bottles will be allowed is at the beach.
Authorised people include those holding a licence under the Liquor Licences Act; anyone holding a special event licence issued under the Special Event Order, 2025; a vendor holding a food badge; a server of a band registered under the Carnival Regulations, 2025; and on duty employees a Municipal Corporation; the CEPEP Company Ltd; TT Solid Waste Management Company Ltd or an employee of a manufacturer or distributor of beverages in glass bottles.
Any unauthorised person found with a glass bottle will be fined $1,000 and spend up to six months in jail.
(Source:  Janelle De Souza Newsday)

​Hummingbird Gold medal awardee Glenn ‘Dragon’ De Souza to attempt world record for “Most Moko Jumbies in one spot”

Hummingbird Gold Medal awardee Glenn ‘Dragon’ De Souza and his historic troupe, the Keylemanjahro Moko Jumbies, will be attempting the Guinness World Record for “Most Moko Jumbies in One Spot” during the week before Carnival 2025 at the historic Queen’s Park Savannah.
The historic event will see 1,000 Moko Jumbies assemble at the Queen’s Park Savannah, creating a truly inspiring and vivid representation of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival.
This momentous initiative will be the pre-cursor to a Keylemanjahro World Tour in 2026 which will intersect with global institutions like the Jim Henson Creature Shop (creator of Sesame Street, the Muppet Show, Dark Crystal, etc).
The group said the record was attempted once before in Trinidad but did not hit the mark, however, Dragon believes that he can do it.
The event will be carded for the week before Carnival when many Carnival visitors will be in Trinidad at the Queen’s Park Savannah.  


“Just imagine what that sight would look like, “ Dragon said, “One thousand plus Moko Jumbies in the home of Carnival, against the Northern Range, in the green savannah!”
The group said the World Record-breaking procession of Moko Jumbies will then walk past the Magnificent Seven and then to President’s House.
The group said there will also be a ‘Making Of’ documentary that will be shot of the event and events leading up to it, creating a biography of Dragon and Keylemanjahro.
The group said the process of mobilising for the 1000 Mokos event will also be the process of consolidating the Moko Jumbie Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MJATT), and international media as well as allies from Sesame Street will be invited to take part.
The group said additionally, as the first Carnival after Dragon and Keylemanjahro have been honoured, Carnival 2025 will be a statement masquerade by this troupe.
The band also plans to display for Carnival 2025 a Kiddies and Adult Carnival presentation, “Sailors and Dame Lorraines”.
The band ‘Sailors and Dame Lorraines’- ‘Damsels in Distress, Sailors to the Rescue will be targeting between 75-150 Moko Jumbie masqueraders but will also feature ground level masqueraders. The band will take part in Kiddies Carnival as a Small band. The band will also take part in the adult Carnival as a Small band.
The Kiddies band will have one King and Queen while the Adult band will have two Kings and Queens.
The group said Keylemanjahro will also be launching a signature brand of t-shirts for sale to the public starting with three different designs.
Keylemanjahro is also pursuing a patent for a locally designed stilt design.
“In Keylemanjahro, Dragon has created a grassroots organization that has had an international impact of stratospheric proportions in terms of Brand T&T influence and cultural footprint. It is one of the most successful Cultural and Civic Institutions in Trinidad and Tobago. Dragon’s Moko Jumbies changed the presentation of T&T large event spectacle with many of Trinidad’s top performers and artists using the troupe for their top portrayals from Peter Minshall, Machel Montano, Super Blue, Brian Mac Farlane, Legends Mas band, etc- all using them in prize winning portrayals in Soca Monarch, Parade of the Bands, etc..”
“Keylemanjahro Moko Jumbies were featured in the Miss Universe 1999 Pageant broadcast hosted by T&T. In 2001 Denise Plummer featured them in her Calypso Queen finals presentation of Nah Leaving. The troupe has been used as one of the main features in most of the country’s major national events and celebrations- from the return of a record-breaking Brian Lara and the return of the Soca Warriors to the launch of major corporate brands. Now a major national event is not complete unless it has a Moko Jumbie troupe- it was Dragon and Keylemanjahro who was responsible for this.”
De Souza, who founded the Keylemanjahro School of Arts and Culture, was honoured with one of the nation’s highest awards, the Humming Bird Gold Medal, by President Christine Kangaloo.
The Keylemanjahro School of Arts and Culture, which commemorates its 35th anniversary this year, has seen over 4,000 students graduate from its illustrious halls, becoming known as the institution and troupe that resurrected and mainstreamed the Moko Jumbie tradition in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Diaspora.
The Keylemanjahro Troupe is an institution that has had profound global impact and has been one of the greatest ambassadors for Trinidad and Tobago globally.
Since 1997, Keylemanjahro was featured three times on popular American children’s television show, Sesame Street, portraying Trinidad and Tobago’s culture to millions internationally.
Photographs and stories from the international best-selling hard-cover coffee-table book ‘MOKO JUMBIES: THE DANCING SPIRITS OF TRINIDAD, which features Keylemanjahro, have been featured in major mainstream newspapers, magazines and scholarly publications worldwide, such as the New York Times, National Geographic, etc and mainstream TV broadcasters like ABC News.
“Dragon rescued and re-animated the Moko Jumbie tradition from death in Trinidad and took the tradition worldwide. Many of his innovations and routines are now part of the character’s repertoire internationally. Stilt walkers trained by Dragon pioneered stilt-walking in international troupes like Cirque du Soleil, UniverSoul Circus- the African-American circus company, and dozens of other troupes on both sides of the Atlantic. His troupe has saved hundreds of children from the life of the streets from the hardest urban ‘ghetto’ communities in Trinidad (Cocorite, Diego Martin, Laventille, etc) training them in many cultural arts.”
The band also broke new ground in Carnival portrayals at Kiddies level, pioneering Moko Jumbie wins:
1995 – “Comic Strip”, the first time a Moko Jumbie band won first  place at Junior Parade of the Bands (Medium School)
1995 - Lost in the Jungle; the first time a Moko Jumbie Queen won first place Junior Queen
2003 - The Spirit of Carnival; 1st place Band of the Year (Junior Open)
2005 - Osebo Drums; 1st Place Junior Parade of the Bands (medium School)
2019 - Ahearn: the Rainmaker- First Place Junior King- School
2023 - A Taste of Africa; 1st place Junior Parade of the Bands (Mini School).
For more information follow the Keylemanjahro School of Arts and Culture on Facebook.
“Just imagine what that sight would look like, “ Dragon said, “One thousand plus Moko Jumbies in the home of Carnival, against the Northern Range, in the green savannah!”
The group said the World Record-breaking procession of Moko Jumbies will then walk past the Magnificent Seven and then to President’s House.
The group said there will also be a ‘Making Of’ documentary that will be shot of the event and events leading up to it, creating a biography of Dragon and Keylemanjahro.
The group said the process of mobilising for the 1000 Mokos event will also be the process of consolidating the Moko Jumbie Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MJATT), and international media as well as allies from Sesame Street will be invited to take part.
The group said additionally, as the first Carnival after Dragon and Keylemanjahro have been honoured, Carnival 2025 will be a statement masquerade by this troupe.
The band also plans to display for Carnival 2025 a Kiddies and Adult Carnival presentation, “Sailors and Dame Lorraines”.
The band ‘Sailors and Dame Lorraines’- ‘Damsels in Distress, Sailors to the Rescue will be targeting between 75-150 Moko Jumbie masqueraders but will also feature ground level masqueraders. The band will take part in Kiddies Carnival as a Small band. The band will also take part in the adult Carnival as a Small band.
The Kiddies band will have one King and Queen while the Adult band will have two Kings and Queens.
The group said Keylemanjahro will also be launching a signature brand of t-shirts for sale to the public starting with three different designs.
Keylemanjahro is also pursuing a patent for a locally designed stilt design.
“In Keylemanjahro, Dragon has created a grassroots organization that has had an international impact of stratospheric proportions in terms of Brand T&T influence and cultural footprint. It is one of the most successful Cultural and Civic Institutions in Trinidad and Tobago. Dragon’s Moko Jumbies changed the presentation of T&T large event spectacle with many of Trinidad’s top performers and artists using the troupe for their top portrayals from Peter Minshall, Machel Montano, Super Blue, Brian Mac Farlane, Legends Mas band, etc- all using them in prize winning portrayals in Soca Monarch, Parade of the Bands, etc..”
“Keylemanjahro Moko Jumbies were featured in the Miss Universe 1999 Pageant broadcast hosted by T&T. In 2001 Denise Plummer featured them in her Calypso Queen finals presentation of Nah Leaving. The troupe has been used as one of the main features in most of the country’s major national events and celebrations- from the return of a record-breaking Brian Lara and the return of the Soca Warriors to the launch of major corporate brands. Now a major national event is not complete unless it has a Moko Jumbie troupe- it was Dragon and Keylemanjahro who was responsible for this.”
De Souza, who founded the Keylemanjahro School of Arts and Culture, was honoured with one of the nation’s highest awards, the Humming Bird Gold Medal, by President Christine Kangaloo.
The Keylemanjahro School of Arts and Culture, which commemorates its 35th anniversary this year, has seen over 4,000 students graduate from its illustrious halls, becoming known as the institution and troupe that resurrected and mainstreamed the Moko Jumbie tradition in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Diaspora.
The Keylemanjahro Troupe is an institution that has had profound global impact and has been one of the greatest ambassadors for Trinidad and Tobago globally.
Since 1997, Keylemanjahro was featured three times on popular American children’s television show, Sesame Street, portraying Trinidad and Tobago’s culture to millions internationally.
Photographs and stories from the international best-selling hard-cover coffee-table book ‘MOKO JUMBIES: THE DANCING SPIRITS OF TRINIDAD, which features Keylemanjahro, have been featured in major mainstream newspapers, magazines and scholarly publications worldwide, such as the New York Times, National Geographic, etc and mainstream TV broadcasters like ABC News.
“Dragon rescued and re-animated the Moko Jumbie tradition from death in Trinidad and took the tradition worldwide. Many of his innovations and routines are now part of the character’s repertoire internationally. Stilt walkers trained by Dragon pioneered stilt-walking in international troupes like Cirque du Soleil, UniverSoul Circus- the African-American circus company, and dozens of other troupes on both sides of the Atlantic. His troupe has saved hundreds of children from the life of the streets from the hardest urban ‘ghetto’ communities in Trinidad (Cocorite, Diego Martin, Laventille, etc) training them in many cultural arts.”
The band also broke new ground in Carnival portrayals at Kiddies level, pioneering Moko Jumbie wins:
1995 – “Comic Strip”, the first time a Moko Jumbie band won first  place at Junior Parade of the Bands (Medium School)
1995 - Lost in the Jungle; the first time a Moko Jumbie Queen won first place Junior Queen
2003 - The Spirit of Carnival; 1st place Band of the Year (Junior Open)
2005 - Osebo Drums; 1st Place Junior Parade of the Bands (medium School)
2019 - Ahearn: the Rainmaker- First Place Junior King- School
2023 - A Taste of Africa; 1st place Junior Parade of the Bands (Mini School).
For more information follow the Keylemanjahro School of Arts and Culture on Facebook.
“Just imagine what that sight would look like, “ Dragon said, “One thousand plus Moko Jumbies in the home of Carnival, against the Northern Range, in the green savannah!”
The group said the World Record-breaking procession of Moko Jumbies will then walk past the Magnificent Seven and then to President’s House.
The group said there will also be a ‘Making Of’ documentary that will be shot of the event and events leading up to it, creating a biography of Dragon and Keylemanjahro.
The group said the process of mobilising for the 1000 Mokos event will also be the process of consolidating the Moko Jumbie Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MJATT), and international media as well as allies from Sesame Street will be invited to take part.
The group said additionally, as the first Carnival after Dragon and Keylemanjahro have been honoured, Carnival 2025 will be a statement masquerade by this troupe.
The band also plans to display for Carnival 2025 a Kiddies and Adult Carnival presentation, “Sailors and Dame Lorraines”.
The band ‘Sailors and Dame Lorraines’- ‘Damsels in Distress, Sailors to the Rescue will be targeting between 75-150 Moko Jumbie masqueraders but will also feature ground level masqueraders. The band will take part in Kiddies Carnival as a Small band. The band will also take part in the adult Carnival as a Small band.
The Kiddies band will have one King and Queen while the Adult band will have two Kings and Queens.
The group said Keylemanjahro will also be launching a signature brand of t-shirts for sale to the public starting with three different designs.
Keylemanjahro is also pursuing a patent for a locally designed stilt design.
“In Keylemanjahro, Dragon has created a grassroots organization that has had an international impact of stratospheric proportions in terms of Brand T&T influence and cultural footprint. It is one of the most successful Cultural and Civic Institutions in Trinidad and Tobago. Dragon’s Moko Jumbies changed the presentation of T&T large event spectacle with many of Trinidad’s top performers and artists using the troupe for their top portrayals from Peter Minshall, Machel Montano, Super Blue, Brian Mac Farlane, Legends Mas band, etc- all using them in prize winning portrayals in Soca Monarch, Parade of the Bands, etc..”
“Keylemanjahro Moko Jumbies were featured in the Miss Universe 1999 Pageant broadcast hosted by T&T. In 2001 Denise Plummer featured them in her Calypso Queen finals presentation of Nah Leaving. The troupe has been used as one of the main features in most of the country’s major national events and celebrations- from the return of a record-breaking Brian Lara and the return of the Soca Warriors to the launch of major corporate brands. Now a major national event is not complete unless it has a Moko Jumbie troupe- it was Dragon and Keylemanjahro who was responsible for this.”
De Souza, who founded the Keylemanjahro School of Arts and Culture, was honoured with one of the nation’s highest awards, the Humming Bird Gold Medal, by President Christine Kangaloo.
The Keylemanjahro School of Arts and Culture, which commemorates its 35th anniversary this year, has seen over 4,000 students graduate from its illustrious halls, becoming known as the institution and troupe that resurrected and mainstreamed the Moko Jumbie tradition in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Diaspora.
The Keylemanjahro Troupe is an institution that has had profound global impact and has been one of the greatest ambassadors for Trinidad and Tobago globally.
Since 1997, Keylemanjahro was featured three times on popular American children’s television show, Sesame Street, portraying Trinidad and Tobago’s culture to millions internationally.
Photographs and stories from the international best-selling hard-cover coffee-table book ‘MOKO JUMBIES: THE DANCING SPIRITS OF TRINIDAD, which features Keylemanjahro, have been featured in major mainstream newspapers, magazines and scholarly publications worldwide, such as the New York Times, National Geographic, etc and mainstream TV broadcasters like ABC News.
“Dragon rescued and re-animated the Moko Jumbie tradition from death in Trinidad and took the tradition worldwide. Many of his innovations and routines are now part of the character’s repertoire internationally. Stilt walkers trained by Dragon pioneered stilt-walking in international troupes like Cirque du Soleil, UniverSoul Circus- the African-American circus company, and dozens of other troupes on both sides of the Atlantic. His troupe has saved hundreds of children from the life of the streets from the hardest urban ‘ghetto’ communities in Trinidad (Cocorite, Diego Martin, Laventille, etc) training them in many cultural arts.”
The band also broke new ground in Carnival portrayals at Kiddies level, pioneering Moko Jumbie wins:
1995 – “Comic Strip”, the first time a Moko Jumbie band won first  place at Junior Parade of the Bands (Medium School)
1995 - Lost in the Jungle; the first time a Moko Jumbie Queen won first place Junior Queen
2003 - The Spirit of Carnival; 1st place Band of the Year (Junior Open)
2005 - Osebo Drums; 1st Place Junior Parade of the Bands (medium School)
2019 - Ahearn: the Rainmaker- First Place Junior King- School
2023 - A Taste of Africa; 1st place Junior Parade of the Bands (Mini School).
For more information follow the Keylemanjahro School of Arts and Culture on Facebook.

TEKEL SYLVAN head is literally in the clouds these days, having been declared the first King Moko Dance Champion 2024 on August 30, followed by an opportunity immediately afterwards to perform at the Apollo Theater, New York, in celebration of Trinidad and Tobago’s 62nd anniversary of Independence.
Winning the local competition with his own costume design and make-up as a skeleton, while demonstrating mad skills by removing one side of the five-foot stilts, while in motion, and dancing with only one stilt, was an amazing feat for him and validates his belief “that I am the best.”
That daring act of being about 13-14 feet in the air, precariously balancing, put him ahead of his competitors. 
He said before the competition, “I would be bringing the trophy home” – and knew he had to do something extraordinary to achieve this.
He has performed at Machel Mondays in the past, and alongside other artistes, but being one of two TT moko jumbies on stage at the iconic Apollo with top artistes at the calypso night, was beyond his wildest dreams.
“It was an amazing feeling to be part of that production. I have performed with calypsonians and soca artistes before, but seeing all of them on one stage, communicating backstage, the vast audience – that was mind-blowing.”
The experience was even more astonishing, he said, as he was told he was one of the first of two moko jumbies to perform at the Apollo.
Sylvan and Earl Ward were the two invited by the NCC to participate in three nights of calypso music, when infectious Caribbean rhythms were on full display. 
He said on September 3, he performed at the Apollo with Machel Montano, Crazy, Olatunji, Kurt Allen, Lord Nelson and others. On September 6, he travelled to Canada to showcase his skills at the Toronto carnival.
“This is not my first carnival, though. I have been to Grenada and Miami carnivals and Brooklyn Labor Day.”
The San Fernando father of two said stilt-walking saved his life.
Growing up in what he termed “the ghetto,” in a single-mother household, his father was imprisoned when he was just three. He said his life could have gone downhill as he did not have the acumen for academics.
While he enjoyed sports, he was not passionate about them either. So when at age eight he discovered the Junior Bisnath Kaisokah School for the Arts, he latched on to that like a drowning man and honed his skills, encouraged by Bisnath, who embraced him as a son.
He recalled he often got into trouble with his mother, because he would leave chores undone to go stilt-walking, something he later corrected.
“Today, she is my biggest fan, because this has saved me from a life of crime. It has opened doors for me. Because of this I got a passport. I am now able to travel all over the world and put TT’s culture on the map.
“Some of my friends who invested in sports have not had the kind of successes I have had,” he said in an interview at the Kaisokah School on September 5.
While he is a designer and intends to produce a children’s Carnival band for 2025, stilt-walking is not a talent he intends giving up on.
“I will only stop when God is ready for me. While I am alive, even if I am using a walking stick or a wheelchair, Sir (Junior Bisnath) will design a pair of stilts for the wheelchair for me to continue stilt-walking.”
Already, his two sons who ae four and six, as well as five nephews, are mastering the art.
He is encouraging children who are facing challenges growing up in poverty, with little opportunity, that stilt-walking could turn their lives around.
“It is a place when you have a certain state of mind, when you are down, for you to get up. There is no better way to get up than on a pair of stilts. When you head is in the clouds, when you listen to music which energises you, take a dance, take a walk and free your mind, you could change that mentality. (Source: Newsday, September 13, 2024)

Happy 83rd Birthday to our legendary Masman, Peter Minshall!
Peter Minshall was born on July 16th 1941 in Georgetown, Guyana and his family migrated to Trinidad & Tobago in the late-1940s. He grew up in Port of Spain, where he was exposed to Carnival from a young age. He attended Queen's Royal College before leaving to study Theatre Design at the Central School of Art and Design in London.
After graduating, he worked in costume design and mas. He became part of the multi-ethnic West Indian Theatre, as well as Notting Hill Carnival, where he was one of the first persons to design costumes.
When he returned to Trinidad and Tobago in 1974, he brought these experiences with him to create the “From The Land of the Hummingbird” costume for his sister Sherry-Ann Guy (Coelho). This costume showcased one of his earliest innovations: the articulated bird wing.
In 1976, he designed his first full Carnival band “Paradise Lost” which won that year’s Band of the Year title. In 1978, he produced “Zodiac”, followed by 1979’s “Carnival of the Sea,” which won Band of the Year in all categories.
His monochromatic “Danse Macabre” (1980) and “Tan Tan and Saga Boy” (1990) showcased his creativity in movement, with the two towering, 15-foot dancing mobiles of Tan Tan and Saga Boy being moved by just two individual performers.
Minshall appreciated the value of mas as a form of creative expression, and his Carnival creations and trademark dancing mobiles garnered international acclaim. He was invited to design and direct segments of the Summer Olympics in Spain in 1992 and in Atlanta, Georgia in 1996, followed by the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002. He also presented his artwork at international art exhibitions throughout Europe and the United Kingdom.
In 1982, Minshall was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Trinity Cross in 1996 for Art and Culture, and T&T’s first Emmy Award for his segment in the Opening Ceremony of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
This photo showing Peter Minshall is courtesy of the Trinidad Express Newspaper, Nov 12th 1996. This newspaper is part of the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago Newspaper Collection.
References: Bastien, Elliot, and Sandra Bernard-Bastien. World Class Trinidad & Tobago: an Area of Abundance: Profiles of Performance. Sekani Publications, 2006.
Pacifique-Marshall, Virginia, et al. The Carnival Suite: a Collection of Traditional Carnival Characters of Trinidad and Tobago. StarApple, 2014. (National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago, July 16, 2024)