ANGELO JEDIDIAH

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Dance is often described as an art form that transcends boundaries and transforms lives. For Zidane Roopnarine, it did just that—leading him all the way to Beijing, China.

Roopnarine always knew he had a deep love for dance, but it wasn’t taken seriously until his interactions with a teacher at Vishnu Boys’ Hindu College. Despite having no formal dance training, he competed in various competitions, showcasing his natural talent.

Speaking with Guardian Media from Beijing, it was during his secondary school years that he knew what career path he had to pursue.

“With the wisdom my drama teacher imparted on me, I was like, I want to do something that is meaningful and that I am going to enjoy for the rest of my life,” Roopnarine said.

After some research, he decided to pursue a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree with a specialisation in dance at the University of Trinidad and Tobago’s Academy for the Performing Arts.

But upon graduating, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he explored what more he could undertake to further develop his skills and propel the arts. This led him to submit his application for a scholarship offered by the Dai Ailian Foundation here in T&T. The foundation is named in honour of Chinese-Trinidadian renowned dancer and ballerina Dai Ailian, known universally as the ‘mother of Chinese modern dance’.

Born in Couva, Madame Dai went on to found the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy. Through the foundation, local students with a passion for studying the art form are given the opportunity to receive funding.

Roopnarine said that he was not confident at first applying for the scholarship but kept faith that if it was meant for him, it would come his way.

As you would expect, Roopnarine was granted this scholarship, but travelling to a distant country like China was a daunting experience.

“My family couldn’t process me leaving and going to China, which is like halfway across the world, right? And not speaking the language, looking at funding, you know, all of these different things. And I’m like, It’s going to work itself out.”

Though hesitant, Roopnarine’s family rallied around the aspiring dancer for this new chapter.

Despite an exhausting three-day journey, he knew he had to adapt quickly to the fast-paced environment.

Since September 2024, Roopnarine said his experience in Beijing has been life-changing. Other than the 12-hour time difference, he still had many adjustments to make to fully adjust to his new environment, such as cashless payments or utilising the metro for public transportation.

As expected, communication was a challenge, as his Mandarin-speaking teachers and instructors knew very little English.

Along with his Mandarin lessons, which he continues to take with another Trinbagonian student, he has also developed the habit of interpreting verbal cues to keep up in his classes.

“Sometimes the teachers may not know how to correct you or may not know how to speak, you just navigate that. Also, this may not be the right thing to say or do, but I like to make people laugh and be a clown. And the teachers love it and give me the needed attention based on that,” Roopnarine laughingly said.

Another shock was the discipline and dedication devoted to preserving the cultural arts.

The academy acts as a boarding school, where a great number of the students, as young as the age of ten, live full-time on campus and pursue their formal school education along with formal dance training. This, he said, is a testament to how much China ensures the preservation of their culture.

“The dancers here started at such a young age, and by age 20, they are already looking like professionals. Whereas for me, I started at age 17, unprofessionally. But for me, even being in the same class as them, it is still valuable to me. My leg isn’t at the highest degree, but I work with what I have.”

While Roopnarine has learned various Chinese art forms and classical dance, he remains a proud ambassador of soca music and dance, which he says has been warmly received at the dance academy.

“Music gives a sense of freedom and happiness. So when I was able to expose that reality to my Chinese colleagues and friends, you could see a whole new side of them that they had never uncovered before.|

“The people of China love to ultimately be kind and nice. Some of them would buy me Chinese snacks. Some of them will buy me food, and I’m like, ‘No, no, no.’ But they will be like, ‘Yes, yes,’” Roopnarine said.

When asked which food he misses most from home, Roopnarine’s response was entirely understandable.

“I could use ah double right now. Ah good roti. Ah good pelau!”

Source: Trinidad Guardian, March 23, 2025.

​Carisa Lee, guardian 20250221
Astrophysicist and Science Communicator, who is also an Assistant Professor at Princeton, Alexandra Amon, is encouraging aspiring scientists from the Caribbean to follow their dreams.
“I am very proud to have started on the tiny islands of Trinidad and Tobago,” she said on her website.
The T&T national is among this year’s 126 recipients of the prestigious Sloan Research Fellowships which is a two-year $75,000 fellowship that is awarded annually to early-career researchers whose creativity, innovation, and research accomplishments make them stand out as the next generation of leaders.
Amon, was one out of 24 recipients under the category of physics to be selected. Other categories include Mathematics, Earth System Science, Economics and Neuroscience.
On her website, Amon and her group focuses on the ground-breaking Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time, which will image more than 1 billion galaxies.
The Princeton University website said the Observatory located on a mountaintop in Chile, is nearly complete and will capture the cosmos in exquisite detail. Using the largest camera ever built, Rubin will repeatedly scan the sky for 10 years and create an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition time-lapse record of the universe.
“We use galaxies to map the large-scale structure and confront questions about the composition and evolution of our universe,” she said.
Amon stated that their ultimate goal is to understand the nature of dark matter and dark energy.
Before Princeton, Amon was a Kavli Fellow at Stanford in Professor Wechsler’s group where she devoted three years to the Dark Energy Survey Year three cosmology analysis.
The 2025 fellows came from 51 institutions across the United States of America and Canada and is one of the most coveted awards for young researchers.
Many have gone on to become influential scientists in their fields.
​ (Source: Newshound, Feb 22, 2025)

JUST four days before the Panorama finals, President Christine Kangaloo proclaimed the law to place the steelpan at the centre of the TT coat of arms.
The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts both proudly displayed the new emblem featuring the national instrument on their social media pages the same day, February 25. Kangaloo's proclamation was published as Legal Notice Number 6, Number 1 of 2025.
A statement on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts declared, "UPDATED - The Coat of Arms of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago‼️ WE ARE PROUDLY TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO! Randall Mitchell."
The OPM Facebook page displayed the new coat of arms. It also showed a photo of the Prime Minister receiving the report from the Cabinet Appointed Committee to Review the Placement of Statues, Monuments and Signage in TT at Whitehall, Port of Spain, on February 25. The committee was chaired by Dr Rita Pemberton who was shown handing the report to Dr Rowley.
Previously, on the day of the Panorama semifinals, February 16, the Central Bank said the new emblem with the steel pan would be placed on the country's $100 bill, and be available to the general public in September.

A bill to replace the three ships of Christopher Columbus on TT's national coat of arms with the steelpan was passed by the House of Representatives on January 13 and by the Senate on January 21. The National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation)(Amendment) Bill, 2025 was piloted by Mitchell.
The Central Bank said, "The adjusted Coat of Arms (replacement of the ships with the steelpan) has been integrated into the design at no additional cost."
The new coat of arms was designed by artist Gillian Bishop and has provoked much public discussion and comment, some for and some against the change.
(Source: Newsday, Feb 26, 2025)

The Prime Minister will step down on March 16.
Dr Rowley was speaking at the commissioning of the O’Meara Road upgrade project at the Ministry of Works and Transport, O’Meara Road, Arima on February 26.
He first announced his intention to step down as Prime Minister at a press conference on January 3.
At that time, he said, “I said to this country, I will not be doing that again, and I meant it, and I have kept it.
“I also said that I have brought into the political arena a number of young people who had served at that time, one term. Many of them are still in government about to complete their second term, experienced, some of them with nine or ten years approximately of service in the government.


“So the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago have a cadre of people, mainly young people, who came into public service, with all its warts and are prepared to take this country forward.”
Rowley, who turns 76 in October, has served 45 years in public life.
On January 6, Rowley named Energy Minister Stuart Young as his successor.
He said Young received the support from the PNM's parliamentary caucus after a retreat in Tobago.
“Once a vacancy arises with respect to the appointment of a prime minister, it falls to the President to respond to that by making an appointment on the person, who, in the President’s view, commands the majority in the House,” Rowley said on January 7.
“So we, as a caucus, as a PNM in the house (of Representatives), we discussed at length and in the end, we came up with a situation where the entire PNM caucus is in support of Member of Parliament Stuart Young, MP for Port of Spain North/St Ann’s West. And we are very pleased to announce that the promise of a smooth transition is going according to plan.”
Rowley said on January 3 he will not be seeking re-election as the PNM's candidate for the Diego Martin West constituency in this year's general election.
On February 17, the PNM's screening committee chose broadcaster Hans Des Vignes to succeed Rowley.
About Dr Keith Rowley


Here are some highlights of Dr Rowley's 45 years in public life:
Enters politics in 1981, unsuccessfully contests Tobago West seat in that year's general election.
Opposition Senator from 1987-1990.
First elected Diego Martin West MP in 1991.
Agriculture Minister – January 13, 1992-Oct 6, 1995.
Planning and Development Minister – December 2001-November 2003.
Housing Minister – November 2003-November 2007.
Accused in 2003 of having material moved from the Scarborough Hospital Project to the Landate private housing development project in Mason Hall, Tobago. Subsequently cleared of all claims and allegations.
Trade and Industry Minister – November 2007-April 2008.

Fired from Cabinet in April 2008, by then prime minister Patrick Manning over concerns about corruption at Udecott and for allegedly engaging in "wajang behaviour."
September 2004 – Accused of being involved in a "teacup" brawl in Parliament's lounge with then UNC MP Chandresh Sharma.
May 2010 – Opposition Leader after PNM's defeat in that year's election. Later elected PNM political leader.
September 2015 – Elected prime minister.
August 2020 – Re-elected prime minister.
January 2025 – Announces retirement from electoral politics.
(Source: Newsday, Feb 26, 2025)

​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)

Source: Elizabeth Gonzales Guardian Tobago Correspondent 
On February 7, 2024, Tobago’s coastline was devastated when a barge capsized, spilling thousands of gallons of fuel into the sea. The disaster hit the island hard—environmentally, economically, and socially.
One year later, Tobagonians are reflecting on how the disaster changed the island.
Thick oil covered the shore in a matter of minutes after the Gulfstream barge overturned and crashed just off the coast of Cove, spewing bunker fuel. It was the beginning of months of recovery.
The spill was catastrophic, choking marine life and suffocating the island’s economy, incurring a $76 million bill.
The oil spread quickly, coating Lambeau Bay, lining the Scarborough shoreline, and breaching the protected mangroves.
Containment boons were used at the Scarborough Port and around the wreckage to contain the spill.
The spill didn’t just affect the environment—two schools, Scarborough Secondary and Lambeau Anglican, had to close because of air quality concerns.
The Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) said it took 196 days to contain 60,000 barrels of oil waste and 23,000 cubic yards of material waste to restore the island. It took 77 days to remove the wreckage.
One year later, fisherman Edwin Ramkissoon said life hasn’t been the same. His vessel, Fishers of Men, was trapped in the oil.
It took days to recover the vessel safely, but it was damaged and covered in fuel. To date, he’s still trying to get back on his feet.
Ramkissoon said: “Up to now, I don’t know what to say. It’s like a nightmare still haunting me.”
He is among a group waiting to process claims through the International Oil Spill Compensation Fund. Until that happens, he is surviving on handouts and favors.
He said he feels forgotten.
“My boat needs repairs. My engine—I have to get a new one because it’s not working so well. I need to paint over my boat as well because it still has oil stains and cracks from when they were bringing it up,” he said.
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said the disaster proves Tobago can go through hell and come out strong.
At a press conference two weeks ago, Augustine gave a breakdown of the spill’s expenses.
“For me, the biggest takeaway from the crisis is that Tobago has the ability to go through hell and come out with a slice of heaven,” he said.
Augustine said the THA is working to capature Tobago’s response to the disaster in a special documentary.
Just days before the anniversary, hydrocarbons resurfaced but were quickly contained. TEMA director Allan Stewart said this might continue throughout the year.
“It is factual that there is sunken oil and as a result, it may resurface from time to time. When it resurfaces, we just have to do what we have to do in terms of mopping up.”
Marine expert Alvin Douglas predicts a full recovery of Tobago’s marine life—particularly the damage done to a reef during the crash—could take a lifetime.

​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.

Coconut Rock Buns
Ingredients
2 cups plain flour
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine (at room temperature)
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup raisins
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
In a large bowl, combine the flour, desiccated coconut, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk well to blend.
Add the butter, and using your fingers, rub it into the flour mixture until it resembles a crumbly texture. Stir in the raisins.
Add the vanilla essence, eggs, and milk to the mixture. Stir until a dough forms.
Using a tablespoon, scoop the dough into rough, uneven balls and place them on a prepared baking tray. Do not smooth the dough; they should remain irregular and "rock-like."
Bake for 30 minutes or until the buns are golden brown on top.
Enjoy these rustic, coconutty treats with tea or coffee!
​(Source; Tropical Recipes, January 11, 2025)