Carnival Institute of Trinidad and Tobago

🚌🌍 Slyvester Lockhart’s 1990 calypso titled “Bus Conductor” poses a creative depiction of everyday life on one of the main forms of public transport in Trinidad and Tobago and as such it makes it relevant to World Public Transport Day and its theme, “One day. Millions of Journeys.” The song humorously yet insightfully describes the role of the bus conductor, the one who collects the fares, maintains order on most crowded buses. Through energetic lyrics and storytelling, Poser focuses on the commotion, company, and culture that is displayed during a single bus ride.

🎶🇹🇹 On World Public Transport Day, this calypso reminds us that the means of using public transport is not just about infrastructure, but about the callaloo of our people and their shared experiences. Each commuter represents a different journey, and the conductor becomes the main person who connects them all. This calypso reflects how travelling spaces are twofold where we have the social environments where speech, humour, and community spirit flourishes much like calypso itself. Poser’s work therefore highlights the perception that behind every trip you can find an individual’s story, making public transport a cultural as well as practical lifeline. 🚌✨

📸 Images taken from the Public Transport Service Corporation - PTSC page.
🎵 Song credit: Poser (Sylvester Lockhart) - “Bus Conductor”

🎭 In Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, Traditional Mas and Ole Mas are often discussed together, but they are not the same thing.

Traditional Mas refers to the historic Carnival characters and forms that have been passed down through generations, each carrying its own symbolism, performance style and cultural meaning.

🪧 Ole Mas, or Old Masquerade, is a public performance associated with Carnival Monday and J’ouvert morning, in which individuals or groups use puns, proverbs, placards, slogans and humour in satirical presentations. In Ole Mas, costume and portrayal can range from the bizarre to the humorous, often reflecting the social and political issues of the day.

✨ The two often overlap, especially in J’ouvert spaces, but they serve different purposes within the Carnival tradition. One helps preserve historic characters and their legacy, while the other uses wit and commentary to provoke thought and reflect the times.

📚 Understanding both helps us better appreciate the depth, creativity and meaning of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.



National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago- NCC

🎭 On April Fools’ Day, CITT reflects on the wit, satire and social commentary that have long shaped Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival tradition. 🇹🇹

🎤 Born Theophilus Philip, The Mighty Spoiler was one of calypso’s great masters of humour. He won the Calypso King title three times, with “Royal Wedding” in 1948, “Bed Bug” in 1953, and “Pick Sense Out of Nonsense” in 1955. 👑

📀 His song “All Fools Day” was released circa 1958, and it remains a fitting reminder that humour in calypso is never only for laughter. It is also observation, satire and truth. 🎶

🎉 On a day devoted to foolishness, we remember an artiste who understood that in Carnival, laughter can be playful, pointed and deeply meaningful all at once. ✨

🎬✨ Join us on Wednesday 11 March 2026 at Theatre 1, UTT Campus at NAPA, Keate Street, Port-of-Spain, for Carnival Film Screenings: A Retrospective, where the Carnival Institute of Trinidad and Tobago will present Our Soul Turned Inside Out (2015) at 6:00 p.m. 🎭📽️

🎞️ Produced by the National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago, this film by the Carnival Institute of Trinidad and Tobago is a powerful 63-minute documentary that explores the deeper history of some of our traditional Carnival characters, including the Jab Jab, Jab Molassie (Blue Devils) and Stick Fighters, tracing their origins through slavery, resistance, performance, and cultural survival. The film gives viewers a rare and intimate look at the people behind these traditions, their preparation, their passion and the legacy they continue to carry from generation to generation. 🖤🎭🔥

🗣️ Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with Ms Claire Woods, Research Officer and Mr Orlando Dinchong, Videographer and Editor. 🎤🎬

🌍🎥 Our Soul Turned Inside Out has had a meaningful screening journey over the years, including at the trinidad+tobago film festival at Hyatt Regency Trinidad and MovieTowne, Port of Spain in 2015; the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago heritage lecture and film screening at the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce Building, Westmoorings in 2016; National Library, Port of Spain as part of KTMLS17 in 2017; the Leeds Beckett Caribbean Carnival Conference at Little Reliance Cinema, Leeds, and later at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton, Leeds; the film’s New York premiere at Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn; and the UTT Research in Film Series at Theatre 1, UTT Campus at NAPA in 2018 and at Carnival at the Castle I at Castle Killarney as part of its 2019 exhibition activity. 🌟📍

❤️🎭 This is more than a film screening. It is an opportunity to reflect on the older soul of Carnival, the traditions that shaped us and the cultural figures who continue to keep the tradition alive.

🆓🎟️ Free admission.





UTT - The University of Trinidad and Tobago
National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago- NCC
Carnival Film Screenings

International Women’s Day serves as both a celebration and a recognition of women’s significant contributions to national culture. 🌸✨

The Carnival Institute of Trinidad and Tobago (CITT) honours the vital roles women play in Carnival, highlighting seamstresses, designers and bandleaders who create exquisite costumes that combine beauty and storytelling. Their work transforms ordinary materials into vibrant masquerades that express freedom, imagination and cultural pride. 🇹🇹🎭🧵

CITT also acknowledges the contributions of women in the steelband movement, where female pannists, arrangers and leaders are integral to orchestras, ensuring that the steelpan remains a shared and dynamic element of our national heritage. 🥁🎶

In tassa, women continue to make important contributions, showcasing their musical talent, strengthening the art form and inspiring younger generations of girls to engage confidently with these traditions. 💜🎵✨

Furthermore, women have used lyrical expression and performance to address social issues and share their personal experiences. In chutney music, female artistes blend traditional elements with modern influences, honouring Indo-Trinbagonian heritage while expanding the representation of women’s voices. Similarly, the Rapso movement features women who articulate identity, struggle and resistance through rhythmic poetry and song. 🎤📝🔥

CITT expresses gratitude to the women whose impact extends beyond performance into everyday cultural life, inspiring future generations to shape the evolving traditions of mas, pan, tassa, calypso, chutney, Rapso and more. 🙌🏽✨

The Carnival Institute of Trinidad and Tobago (CITT) reflects on the powerful role Calypso has played in defending human rights in our nation.

For generations, calypsonians have used their voices to challenge inequality, protest injustice, and speak for those who were unheard. Through satire, critique and storytelling, they became advocates for freedom, workers’ rights, immigrant rights, equality and dignity.

Artists such as Black Stalin, Brother Valentino, David Rudder, King Austin, Mighty Sparrow and many others transformed the stage into a space of social education and civic engagement. Their songs pushed us to see ourselves and to do better.

As we observe Human Rights Day, we honour Calypso as more than entertainment.
It is resistance.
It is memory.
It is the voice that reminds us of our duty to protect the rights of every citizen in Trinidad & Tobago.

🎶 Featured Song: Mighty Sparrow – Human Rights (1981)