As a carnivalist, member of a sound system “Soca Sagaboys” and a community activist, I was desperately aware of the loss of our elders and pioneers. I felt it imperative to obtain oral histories of the memories of carnival back home in the various Caribbean Islands with a comparison to the Uk carnivals post arrival. The aim was to create a documentary that would be a lasting testimony as well as an educative repository for our younger carnivalists, mas makers and those who are not familiar with the roots of Carnival.

Following a social media call out, I was swamped with a number of willing participants, however as the project started in the most serious of lockdowns most of the interviews took place over zoom, however once lockdown eased I was able to do an audio recording of one of the participants who was unable to use zoom.

It became clear through the interviews that there was a rich tapestry of untold recollections of “playing Mas”, the connection with our African heritage as well as the colonial influences of religion and enslavement which shaped the spiritual and ritualistic elements.

The project was an intergenerational project that weaved in 2 experts in the field who add the contextual theory behind the various interviews, this event will be focussing on one of those experts in the documentary – Mr Garvey Campbell of Carnevale Network which focuses and promotes Carnival media and Caribbean Island Promotion.

We will be screening Garvey’s interview in the first hour then having an opportunity to discuss his content and thought’s which arise.

This is a short but powerful event to enhance your knowledge about traditional mas culture and the passing down of historical knowledge through the generations.

The documentary was edited by an up and coming content creator / video editor – Mr Vitaly Bender and produced by Rena Kydd-Williams of R Consultancy & Soca Sagaboys who will also make up the discussion panel. Lydia Julien of the Hackney Archives will be facilitating the audience questions in the 2^nd hour.

The Windrush 2024 Calendar will be available to purchase on the day.

The Hackney Archives are based on the 2^nd floor of the CLR James Library, Dalston Square, London E8 3BQ

Follow the Hackney Archives on Instagram- archiveshackney / Facebook – hackneyarchives

www.hackney.gov.uk/archives

R Consultancy

Follow me on Instagram - inforconsultancy1 and socasagaboys

Facebook - grenada cocoabutter / R Consultancy Carnivals

Website - www.rconsultancy.org

Email - inforconsultancy.co.uk

Garvey Campbell

E-mail -[email protected]

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CarnevaleNetwork.co.uk/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carnevalenetwork/

Other social media platforms - https://www.youtube.com/c/CarnevaleNetwork/

Carnival Through The Eyes of Windrush - A historical synopsis of traditional carnival characters with a Q&A.