The Carriacou Mas’ as "Syncretic Artifact"

Competitive performances of speeches from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar at village crossroads by pairs of costumed men are part of the carnival celebrations in Carriacou. Poor or inaccurate recitations result in the whipping of one mas’ player by his opponent and a challenge for additional recitations...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of American folklore 1999-01, Vol.112 (443), p.58-73
Main Authors: Fayer, Joan M., McMurray, Joan F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anglophones
Anthropology
British & Irish literature
Carnivals
Celebrations
Cognitive problems, arts and sciences, folk traditions, folklore
Contests
Culture
Drama
Emancipation of slaves
English language
English literature
Ethnic Studies
Ethnology
Festivals
Folk performances
Folk plays
Folklore
Islands
Mumming
Performances, theater, carnival
Public speaking
Shakespeare, William
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)
Shakespearean tragedies
Slavery
Slaves
Speeches
Street performers
Theater
Theatrical costumes
Tradition
Traditions
Villages
Whips
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Summary:Competitive performances of speeches from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar at village crossroads by pairs of costumed men are part of the carnival celebrations in Carriacou. Poor or inaccurate recitations result in the whipping of one mas’ player by his opponent and a challenge for additional recitations by another player. These performances, which are similar to those that once existed on other Anglophone West Indian islands, combine English mummers, European carnival, and West African traditions.
ISSN:0021-8715
1535-1882
DOI:10.2307/541402