ST LUCIA
Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire of Castries is proposing a discussion on, ‘The way Forward for St Lucia Carnival’, one of the country’s biggest cultural and economic resources.
“Only in such a forum can we forge the appropriate answers to the questions: What do we really want for our nation? What will Carnival 2024 and beyond be like? Will we continue to be copycats on the road to further moral and cultural decadence or are we going to set different standards towards a morally and spiritually healthy nation?” the Archbishop said in his written reflection on Carnival 2023.
Archbishop Malzaire shared a drive up the Castries-Gros Islet Highway on Carnival Monday (July 17), and a glimpse of the television coverage of activities of Tuesday (July 18) made him very sad. He said he was appalled by what ladies had reduced themselves to.
“The truth is, whatever we regard as permissible, whether in the context of Carnival when the guards of the people are down, or in the more controlled environment, only serves to erode the moral fibre of a society. Believe it or not, the novel phenomenon of the BamBam Wall, which is still part of the national landscape, will continue to have subliminal effects on the national psyche if not eliminated or exorcised,” the Archbishop said.
He observed that the present less-than-honourable behaviour at Carnival is only a symptom of the bigger reality: the cycle of exploitation of women, which deserves some national discussion.
The Archbishop then invited St Lucians to ask themselves: Why is it that the question of nudity applies only to our women?
He commented that the exploitation of women’s bodies which began with slavery, continues in contemporary society with the use of naked women to advertise cars, cigarettes, and any commodity in our consumer society.
Archbishop Malzaire opined that many musical artistes, who are male, continue this exploitation by producing lyrics which “glorify” women “shaking their bumper”, “whineing down” etc., encouraging them to embrace the “marketing role” as winers.
He also observed many women who have been the victim of body “shaming” because of their physical appearance now use their “bambam” as protest in the “public space” to flaunt those who scorn their appearance in “officialdom”, thus reflecting an intermingling of “catharsis” and “protest,” as seen in the present version of Carnival.
He said it is accepted by many that Carnival and its attendant activities are graced with many positive attributes, such as: the unleashing of the creative genius of the Caribbean people expressed in the the compositions and their entertaining execution; the creative costumes portraying many wholesome aspects of the culture; as well as the creation of a viable avenue for collective catharsis. In other words, the release of emotional, physical, and psychological tensions created by the stresses of everyday life; etc.
Archbishop Malzaire said witnessing the “fabulous display” of Adrien Augier’s Band: Tribe of Twel, portraying the theme For God So Love The World, was a glimmer of hope amid what seemed like a “banalised performance” of the Caribbean culture.
The Tribe of Twel captured all four places in the category ‘Individual of the year’; first place in ‘Best Portrayal of the Theme’, ‘Best Designed Band’ and ‘Mass on the Move’; as well as Parade Band of the Year. They, the Archbishop said, deserve the nation’s commendation and congratulations.
And with the season behind them, he invited citizens to spend some time in critical introspection.