the art of playing 'mas'- "Shadow"

This band was amazing to see on the road. It took people by surprise. It was a tribute to the calysonian, 'The Shadow", and the effect of the whole band being on stilts, against the skyline, was breath taking. The black satin had an interesting visual impact.

The band explored the image of a shadow. A shadow has no race or sex. A shadow is private and exists as no light, as opposed to the image which exists in the light. The faces are covered, as stilt walkers were in the African tradition. The individual playing the mas is not to be seen. Even the hands are covered.

The older and more experienced stilt walkers used the traditional stilts that left their hands free.

The younger stilt walkers used stilts that used the arms and were not as tall. They could come off of these stilts easily, which made them more comfortable for the little mas players.

It was interesting to see the effect of using black in the carnival. It was effective.

The shadows moved throughout Scarborough!

The judging point.