Caribbean Life, Aug. 30, 2019 59
By Nelson A. King
The Brooklyn-based Vibez International
Mas is embracing the Jamaican
motto “Out of Many One People” as its
portrayal for this year’s West Indian
American Day Carnival Parade.
“It is time we Jamaicans abroad
embrace our motto ‘Out of Many One
People’,” said band leader Andrew Lowers
in a Caribbean Life interview, who
has been participating in the parade
for the second consecutive year. “We
are here to represent the unity of those
multiracial roots of our nation.
“The Jamaican coat of arms emblem
has the motto ‘Out of Many One People’,
and the symbols are cherished
proudly by Jamaicans, as they speak
to the character and strength of the
people and nation,” added the Jamaican
born mas man, who prefers to be
referred to as “a musician who is passionate
about my craft.”
“Music is the conduit to living, and
carnival embodies that ‘vibez’”, Lowers
continued. “We work closely with professional
carnival costume makers. We
are embracing the indigenous people of
the Caribbean starting with the indigenous
Arawak people of Jamaica.”
He said “Out of Many One People”
comprises two female sections: “Taino
Nation of the Caribbean: Indigenous
Arawak people, meaning relatives of
the Caribbean group; and Lokono
Nation of South America: Indigenous
Arawak people of the mainland.”
Lowers said, while he is yet to determine
the number of masqueraders in
each section, their nationalities comprise,
among others, Jamaicans, Costa
Ricans, Trinidadians and Americans.
“We have expanded from last year,”
he said. “Last year, we were overwhelmed
with people’s support, starting
all the way from the truck-build to
the museum (Brooklyn) and beyond.
“Knowing that I can be that person
that help bring my people together for
good ‘vibez’, (it) is such a humbling
feeling,” Lowers continued.
He said the biggest supporters of
the “grass roots” mas camp are “our
neighbors and community members
who have been supporting our radio
station, Yard Vibez Radio 98.5 for
years.”
“Our YVR team of DJs, talk show
hosts and management are the driving
force behind Vibez International Mas,”
he said. “Our supporters are interested
in seeing Jamaicans come out
for a cultural uplifting cause and fully
embrace the carnival ‘vibez’. Carnival
is a ‘vibez’ like no other that I have
fallen in love with.”
Lowers said masqueraders will sway
to all music from Yard Vibez Radio
98.5, with DJs: ZJ Cutta, Short Temper,
DJ Fletcher, King Shane, DJ Nutzy, DJ
Realz, DJ SQ and DJ Will Star.
Vibez International Mas camp is
located at 663 East, 92nd St., Brooklyn.
M
asqueraders can register on site
with Empress T or call (347) 413-9902;
and email: VibezInternationalMas@
gmail.com.
By Nelson A. King
The predominantly Haitian band
Bancoche Mas is going to “Wonderland”
this Labor Day Carnival.
“This theme was chosen to highlight
one of Haiti’s premiere destinations
(Labadie) and other majestic
destinations around the world,” said
band leader Haitian American Alexander
Bernadin in a Caribbean Life
interview.
He said about 125 masqueraders —
from all nationalities, including Haiti,
St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados,
Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago
— will play in five sections: Labadie
(Haiti), Danxia (China), Iceland, Kawagoe
(Japan) and Nirvana.
“Responsible for providing great
music on the road are DJ Stakz, DJ
Pretty Nyce and DJ Hard Hitting Harry,”
said Bernadin, who founded
Banboche Mas last year with Haitian
Americans Charles Vieux and Stanley
Bordeaux, and Trinidadian-born Jason
Charles.
“Growing up in Brooklyn, each (co-)
founder had a history of participating
in the Labor Day Parade,” Bernadin
added. “They felt Haiti lacked the representation,
and decided to contribute by
becoming the first Haitian mas band to
deliver the total carnival experience.
“Masqueraders are equipped with
everything — from beautiful costumes
to great music,” he continued, stating
that the word “Banboche” is “the Haitian
Creole equivalent to Trinidad and
Tobago’s dialect word ‘Ramajay.’”
“Banboche means to enjoy one self,
to be free-spirited,” Bernadin said. “Our
foremost mission is to present ourselves
as an example of the beauty that
is Haitian culture. We hope to share
this on the forefront, and curate a dialogue
new and exciting.”
Therefore, he said, “Banboche Mas
is delighted to compete as a small
band in this year’s Caribbean-American
Parade.”
You can call Bernadin at (917) 740-
4490; Instagram @BanbocheMas; or
visit the band’s website at www.banbochemas.
com.
In addition, you can visit the mas
camp at 1214 Nostrand Ave., between
Hawthorne and Winthrop streets in
Brooklyn.
Shaun Duntin of Moruga, Trinidad and Tobago, strikesa pose while portraying
“Labadie.” Photo by Nelson A. King
Banboche
Mas goes to
‘Wonderland’
‘Out of Many One People’ for carnival parade
Costa Rican Tanya “Empress T”
Wardally portrays “Lokono.”
Photo by Nelson A. King
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