Virtual History Learning

We also offered “Mas With Meaning,” a free open discussion exploring the deeper story and purpose of mas (short for masquerade). This session invited participants to reflect on the history, cultural significance, and living traditions of Carnival, tracing how mas has evolved from resistance to celebration.

Mas began in the Caribbean during the era of slavery, when African people, stripped of freedom and identity, used performance, drumming, and disguise as acts of cultural survival and resistance. Through song, dance, and costume, they expressed joy, grief, and rebellion—often mocking colonial elites through “Ole Mas” characters like the Jab Jab, Pierrot Grenade, and Midnight Robber. Over time, these traditions blended with European masquerade and festival elements to create the vibrant Carnival art forms we know today.

Today, mas represents much more than spectacle—it is a living expression of freedom, creativity, and identity. Every costume tells a story; every performance connects past to present. Through “Mas With Meaning,” we explore these roots while encouraging participants to create with intention—understanding not just how to make mas, but why we play it.

This dialogue fosters pride, cultural literacy, and cross-generational learning, ensuring that the deeper meaning of mas—as both art and act of liberation—continues to inspire future creators.