Measuring Mas: A Metaphysical-Bakhtinian Perspective on the Trinidadian Carnivalesque

Carnival is a space of play where you are at once earthly and divine. We born to this culture, writing our narratives in song, dress, tradition spirit. As Trinidadians, we embed lives, creativity, souls into sacrament. And every year it blesses people with inspiration, solace liberation. The theoretical premise paper combines social constructivism Mikhail Bakhtin’s dialogism, heteroglossia, chronotope investigate aesthetic architecture within the Trinidadian carnivalesque (mas). A series narrative interviews were conducted band leader Valmiki Maharaj visual artist Jackie Hinkson, gathering core meanings, intentions, processes creation attached brand Carnival. This work highlights manifestations reflection, creation, connection as represented murals, costuming, carnival accoutrements, whilst acknowledging cultural historical frameworks that support these structures.