This attendee from Trinidad sits in the spot where his father used to and years later he brings his family and friends.
TNCPNEWS Photo
Carnival has its own language—one shaped by Caribbean history, African traditions, emancipation, resistance, music and community. Words such as “mas,” “fête,” “J’ouvert” and “wining” describe more than costumes, parties or dance movements. They represent cultural practices passed from one generation to the next.
Understanding these terms helps visitors experience Carnival with greater cultural awareness. It also prevents traditions from being misunderstood or viewed solely through an outsider’s lens. For example, “playing mas” is not simply wearing a revealing costume; it is participating in a themed cultural performance that celebrates creativity, heritage and bodily agency—the right of people to determine how they present and express themselves.
Here are some of the words and expressions commonly heard during Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival and throughout Carnival celebrations across the Caribbean and its diaspora.
Understanding Carnival Terminology
Mas: Short for “masquerade.” Mas refers to the costumed performance at Carnival. To “play mas” means to wear a costume and participate in the parade.
Masquerader: A person who wears a Carnival costume and participates in the parade.
Mas Band: An organized group of masqueraders presenting costumes based on a common theme. Large bands are divided into smaller costume sections.
Band Leader: The person or team responsible for developing a mas band’s theme, costumes and parade presentation.
Section: A smaller group within a mas band. Each section wears a different costume representing part of the band’s overall story.
Frontline: The most elaborate costume option in a section, frequently featuring larger feathers, wings, backpacks or decorative pieces.
Backline: A less elaborate—and usually less expensive—version of a section’s costume.
Playing Mas: Participating in Carnival as a costumed masquerader. For example: “This is her first year playing mas in Toronto.”
Jump Up: Dancing and celebrating collectively in the street, particularly behind a music truck or mas band.
Fête: A Carnival party featuring soca, calypso, dancing and live entertainment. The word is pronounced “fet.”
J’ouvert: A traditional early-morning street celebration marking the opening of Carnival. Participants may cover themselves with paint, mud, powder or oil. The name comes from the French words meaning “daybreak” or “day opening” and is commonly pronounced “jou-vay.”
Soca: An energetic style of Caribbean music closely associated with Trinidad and Tobago and modern Carnival celebrations.
Calypso: A Caribbean musical tradition known for storytelling, humor, political criticism and social commentary.
Steelpan: A musical instrument developed in Trinidad and Tobago from metal drums. A group of musicians playing steelpans is called a steelband or steel orchestra.
Panorama: A competitive steelband event in which orchestras perform specially arranged pieces before judges and an audience.
King and Queen of the Bands: Masqueraders who present exceptionally large and elaborate costumes representing their bands. These costumes are judged for design, craftsmanship and performance.
Moko Jumbie: A traditional stilt-walking masquerader found in several Caribbean Carnival traditions. Moko Jumbies are often understood as protective spiritual figures who watch over the community from above.
Bacchanal: A lively, uninhibited celebration. In Caribbean conversation, the term can also describe confusion, drama or disorder.
Lime: A casual Caribbean social gathering. To “lime” means to relax, talk and spend time with others.
Wining: A rhythmic Caribbean dance movement involving rotation of the waist and hips. It is a culturally rooted form of expression and movement—not simply a sexualized dance.
Emancipation Day: Observed on August 1 in Canada and several Caribbean nations, commemorating the end of slavery throughout much of the British Empire in 1834. Toronto’s Carnival weekend often coincides with this important observance.
Caribana: The original and still widely used name for Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival, which began in 1967. The officially produced festival is now called the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.
Rina Risper, President and Publisher, and Patricia Spitzley take a moment to enjoy the views of Toronto from the rooftop of a restaurant at one of the many package events.
TNCPNEWS Photo
