Andrew Clunis, Freelance Writer
THEY look fascinating and they entice people into playing Pretty Mas. That's what Carnival costumes essentially should be about and Marva Marshall keeps these points in mind whenever she sets about creating the pieces used in Portmore Carnival.
She has been with that group since its inception and there's hardly anything she loves more in her job as a seamstress, than to create Carnival costumes.
"It is fun. It is great to be able to take all the different pieces and put them together to create something that people can enjoy. When the work is done and the costumes are modelled, you get a sense of satisfaction," she said.
Most of the costumes for Portmore Carnival are made from relatively cheap material.
"They only cost $500 each so we have to be choosy about the material we use. But with some skill we always manage to create pieces that can be competitive anywhere," she said.
The material common to all the designs is leatherette. This she buys in various bright colours. Some of the tops of the costumes are just regular bras, but they are decorated with trimmings and worn with a tank top to achieve a certain look.
Portmore Carnival tries to come up with different designs each year. In the past they had the services of Oniel Smith who would be in control of design, but he has moved on to doing his own thing, Downtown Carnival.
Miss Marshall works voluntarily, but she doesn't mind.
"It's great to see the people having fun. They might not have a lot of money to spend, but they are really warm people who deserve to have a good time," she told Showbiz.
She is mindful of the apparent lack of sponsorship support for Portmore Carnival, a point founder Errol Wonder has re-inforced time and again.
"We need the kind of sponsorship which will help the Carnival to go mainstream. This year we started out slowly because the sponsorship is just not there. Even if we ask for the use of a community centre to set up the mas camp, there is always some reason why we cannot get it. We have to pay for everything and it is not cheap. Nothing in Portmore is free and we want to keep the Carnival here, so we hope the corporate community will give us better support," Miss Marshall.
The Portmore Carnival Road March takes place tomorrow starting 12:00 noon.
VOXPOP: Will you be participating in Carnival this year and why?
Tsahai Douglas, 26, cosmetologist
"No, Carnival is of the devil and it is uptown people's slackness. It's a waste of money for poor people. The music is very slack and furthermore it is another country's culture brought to Jamaica."
Dawnett Johnson, 18, student
"Yes, I will be going because Carnival is fun and exciting. Some people take the fun and excitement to a level that is outrageous, but personally I enjoy myself in a manner that is not obscene and is acceptable by my parents and peers."
Claudine Palmer, 21, cosmetologist
"No Carnival is not fun to me and will never be. Reggae music is our culture and that's what we are supposed to go with. Carnival is about exposing and flaunting your body and we should be educating our children on how to dress the right way and behave in a certain manner. People need to stop comparing reggae and Carnival music because they don't have anything in common."
Anthony White, 40, sub-contractor
"Yeah man, because Carnival is something I can benefit from. I can get a little hustling from it and that's my main reason for participating in Carnival."
Denzel Allen, 38, security man
"No, because Easter is a time to reflect on the crucifixion of Christ and not to jump up at Carnival".
Janice Allieman, 25, cosmetologist
"Yes, I love Carnival. Every year I support it. I'm a big fan of Carnival. I think it is for everybody... children and adults alike. It makes people happy."
Anthony Hebert, 35, businessman
"I love Carnival. The custom is relevant and the music is alright. It is something we should participate in. I think kids should enjoy it as well."
