Dip in the Collection.

I’ve been creating calendars that celebrate Trinidad and Tobago for 14 years! Each year, I choose a different theme that highlights the beauty of our islands—whether through history, culture, or unique insights into the incredible sights that make this place special.

In 2018, the calendar was called “Revisit Trinidad and Tobago – 1968 Fast Forward to 2018.” That year’s theme explored the evolution of the nation over 50 years, juxtaposing archival newspaper articles from 1968 with contemporary images. It was a fascinating exercise in reflection, showcasing how much has changed, how much has remained the same, and what possibilities the future might hold.

For this installment of Dip in the Collection, I want to share the full article (see below) that accompanied the 2018 Calendar February photograph above. In the calendar, I couldn’t fit the entire piece, but I still remember sitting in the National Archives, giggling as I read it. Now, you get to enjoy the full thing!

Let me know your thoughts in the comments—would any of you be up to do an “Edgar Whiley” next Carnival?

Full Article from the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian in 1968:

How to play mas and win big cash prizes: Inside story by man with seven faces

While masqueraders were jumping in one costume through the streets of Port-of-Spain last Carnival, Edgar Whiley was studiously changing from bat to burroquite, to jab jab, to pierrot grenade.

The reason became clear last Saturday when the Woodbrook dental mechanic collected a total of seven prizes from the Carnival Development Committee amounting to $520 in cash, $20 more than George Bailey received for his “Fantasia, The People’s Choice.”

Small wonder then that Whiley, who has been playing mas for 35 of his 68 years, turned down Bailey with a smile last year when the popular bandleader invited him to play back in “Fantasia 68”.

“Bailey asked me to join his band because he was having a bat section, but I declined”, said Whiley yesterday, still smiling.

Born and bred in Diego Martin, Edgar Whiley can remember playing in the Diamond Road Sailor Band 35 years ago.

Since then

“That was the first time I played mas. I remembered it well because it was also the same year that I took up dental technology,” he added.

Since then Wiley has enjoyed considerable success in both occupations.

 He won his first prize as a “bad behavior sailor” in a Carnival competition at the Green Hills Village, Diego Martin, “many years ago.” Within recent times, masquerader Whiley has come within the big-money. So far, he has collected an estimated $4000 from his Carnival activities.

Last year was his most lucrative; he one a total of $900 from Carnival competitions on the Queens Park Savannah and in downtown Port-of-Spain.

3 years ago

Whiley hit upon his ingenious multi-masquerading technique three years ago.

He explained: “The organizers kept clamouring for old time Carnival. They didn’t want the traditional masquerade to die out. And since I am playing mas’ for so long, I simply responded to their encouragement.”

And so while other masqueraders were moving around the mas’ camps undecided about their costumes, veteran Whiley had already made up his mind to play Burroquite, jab-jab, bat and Pierrot Grenade during the two-day bacchanal.

However excellent his intentions to bring back the old-time Carnival characters, the task presented some problems. For example, there was the distance between the two competitions the difficulty in changing from one costume to another.

Whiley solved this by using as his base of operations a vender’s stall he operated on Frederick Street during the two days of Carnival, the most strategic spot between the Queen’s Park Savannah and Independence Square.

“I kept my costumes at the stall where I changed after taking part in both competitions,” he said.

 This year he decided to cut out the downtown competition and concentrate on the C.D.C. parade on the Savannah. And to minimize the footwork, he stored his costumes early on Carnival Monday morning behind the Princes Building, a stone’s throw from the C.D.C. stage.

 To make the Burroquite costume, Whiley got some help from a lady friend the others he designed and tailored himself.

Here is a list of his successes this year:

INDIVIDUAL

King monster bat—first prize of $130.

King Burroquite—5th prize of $30 in Old Time Carnival category.

MONDAY

Jab Jabs and Burroquite dancers won 3rd and 4th prizes respectively ($60 and $40) in the Old Time Carnival band category.

BATS

King Monster and his baby bats won third prize of $60.

TUESDAY

Burroquite dancers won first prize of $120 in the Old Time Carnival band category.

BATS

King Monster and the baby bats—second prize of $80.

Success has failed to spoil masquerader Wiley. He still smiles bashfully when his exploits as a conscientious devotee of King Carnival are mentioned.

“I intend to continue playing mas as long as there is Carnival,” he said.

He didn't have to add as long as there are competitions also.