It is the carnival season. In the very strong carnival countries in this part of the world – Brazil, and Trinidad and Tobago – events are heating up to fever pitch for the climax of the festival on February 28. It is the same in the Republic of Guyana whose grand festival day is Mashramani on February 23. But in Guyana there are significant issues and these may be found in the way there are changes in Mashramani from year to year.
In all three countries there are several similarities; but they are not the same, and they are divided by a considerable compendium of differences. The fires were truly lit in Trinidad and Brazil since the end of the Christmas season immediately gave way to the carnival spirit. It is similar in Guyana, where the carnivalesque is shared, the seasonal intoxication, spirit and revelry have similar impact in the minds of the people, but the flames are milder, the traditions not quite as deep.
