If you end up on Eastern Parkway on Monday for this year's West Indian Day Parade, you will likely spot hundreds of masqueraders reppin’ Monday Mas, a Caribbean masquerade band, organized by I AM CARIBBEING, a cultural organization headquartered in Flatbush.
For the past three years, founder Shelley Worrell and others have hosted Mas Camp, a three-day workshop for those looking to customize their masquerading outfits for the parade. This year it takes place from Friday, Aug. 30 through Sunday, Sept.1 at the group's headquarters at 1399 Nostrand Ave.
The masquerade band pays homage to traditional Monday wear worn in Trinidad and Tobago during Carnival, a celebration of freedom held throughout Caribbean countries. For countries that celebrate Carnival for multiple days, Monday wear is an ensemble worn on the more casual day.
This year’s band theme is “Sailing Di Parkway,” an ode to Sailor Mas, a traditional masquerade costume originating in the 1880s when British, American and French ships sailed into Trinidad and Tobago.
The mas sets, including Captain Stush, Sail Master and Bush Ahoy, come with a bodysuit, bottoms and other accessories like a fanny pack, fishnet gloves and captain hat. Masqueraders are able to buy a full set or pieces of a set to then decorate them using beads, glitter and paint during Mas Camp.
The Monday Mas band is an ode to body positivity and Caribbean culture, Worrell said. In past years, many women would have to make alterations for their costumes to fit. Instead, they changed manufacturers to include sizes from small to 3XL, she said.
“I just felt like that's not something that I wanted to see for the community," Worrell told BK Reader.
“I wanted everyone to feel welcome, and [feel] like their sizes and their bodies were seen as important. So, for us, it was very, very important to have the sizes run up to a 3XL, or as large as we can get it.”
Traditional Carnival attire includes a combination of colorful materials, beads, sequins and feathers that can cost upward of $1,000 for some bands. However, Worrell created the attires, all under $200, in hopes of offering masqueraders an alternative option that is more sustainable.
“Everything that we have is reusable — the hats, the bathing suits, the pants, you can use them outside of Carnival,” explained Kenya Cummings, I AM CARIBBEING’s program and operations manager.
“Carnival is just for that moment, and you can't really use it again so we try to make it something where people come back,” said Cummings.
Kiola George, a Guyana-bred masquerader who has been with the organization for two years, said she's most looking forward to the vibes and high energy felt during the parade.
“Everyone is able to showcase their body and feel free and liberated,” said George. “And mas is a celebration of our bodies around the world.”
Beyond masquerading, I AM CARIBBEING’s mission is to pay homage to Brooklyn’s diverse Caribbean culture.
This year, the group is collaborating with other local businesses like Allan’s Bakery and Kigan Joseph from Bounty Rum St. Lucia to support other Caribbean businesses and spotlight smaller countries like St. Lucia, which often get overshadowed.
“The carnival community is one part of our community, but we do our best to connect with local businesses,” explained Worrell. “For us, it's really important to also have a small business and commerce community development part.”
To learn more about I AM CARIBBEING and to join Mas camp, click here.
