Story Courtesy Overtime Media
Photos courtesy DGL Carnival Consultancy Agency
Originating in the late 18th century, “Carnival” in Trinidad and Tobago is believed by many historians to be the first of its kind in the world. National Geographic.com describes the masquerades and pre-Lenten celebrations of French plantation owners as the stimuli for a series of creative and culturally significant rituals of defiance crafted and institutionalized by the enslaved masses, who had been previously prohibited from joining in the festivities of their Masters.
“The discarded garments of their oppressors were fashioned into costumes worn for satirical reenactments of the opulent balls and events, which the slaves could not attend” states the website and “coded language to communicate verbally” and via drums would have also helped to give birth to Calypso music and its many subgenres like Soca, Chutney, Ex Tempo and even Trinibad, which are thriving today.
Thus, the label of “the Greatest show on Earth” which has long been used to describe Trinidad’s Carnival is not one to be taken lightly and should have served to format the Carnival industry worldwide under our expert curation and with our creative and experienced guidance and approvals. Sadly, this has not been the case and Carnivals around the globe have been allowed to sprout, attract the masses and format themselves in a myriad of different ways to suit the varying cultures, budgets and environments in and around the places where they have been established.
Enter the DGL Carnival Consultancy Agency, formed and spearheaded by Mr David Lopez, a Carnival enthusiast and scholar, who has been working on the African continent over the past decade and most recently delivered a presentation to the Calabar Carnival Committee in Nigeria at the beginning of March.
“The Calabar Carnival is widely known as Africa’s Biggest Street Party and is set to undergo a transformation aimed at improving its cultural, economic and social impact,” stated Lopez. “This Carnival has the potential to surpass many other marketable industries in terms of revenue generation, tourism impact, and cultural significance. However, achieving this requires strategic planning, guidance, strong leadership and community involvement.”
As reported on truthlivenews.com, Lopez shared his belief that a well-structured development plan is essential to ensuring the festival’s long-term sustainability and highlighted the significant role to be played by the mas bands in the development of the Carnival itself. He said:
“The heart of any Carnival lies in its mas bands, which bring color, music and storytelling to life. Historically rooted in African traditions, these bands play a crucial role in driving tourism and local economic growth.”
Lopez emphasized that without the bands, the carnival itself would not exist: “Bands are not just pageantry with performers; they are cultural ambassadors,” he explained. “They represent the history, creativity and artistic excellence of the people.”
Despite its immense cultural and economic significance, the Calabar Carnival has faced challenges related to funding and recognition. Many in the carnival community have expressed concerns over the lack of proper investment in the event’s development. Lopez agrees, saying:
“Carnivals around the world thrive when they receive the right level of support and funding. The Calabar Carnival should be seen not just as a festival, but as an economic engine capable of creating jobs, promoting local businesses, and positioning Nigeria as a global cultural hub.”
In his presentation, Lopez highlighted key areas where improvements are needed including: Community Engagement – to strengthen the festival’s rolein fostering social unity and cultural identity;
Educational Development – to expanding awareness of Carnival Arts in schools, focusing on African, Latin American and Caribbean traditions and Economic Growth – to foster and develop new financial models to enhance revenue streams and ensure long-term sustainability.
Lopez noted that: “There must be a well-defined management framework that allows for collaboration between the government, private sector, and community stakeholders” and recommended strengthening community-based management structures, encouraging greater private-sector investment and establishing long-term leadership strategies to enhance coordination and execution.
Of course, with the carnival attracting large crowds, public safety also remains a top priority. Security experts and event planners have raised concerns over crowd management, emergency response measures and overall event safety and Lopez highlighted the importance of accountability, stating that:
“The safety of carnival participants and visitors should never be compromised. A well-coordinated security plan involving all relevant agencies is necessary to ensure a smooth and incident-free event.”
DGL’s key recommendations to the Calabar Carnival Committee included: Clearly defining responsibilities for security coordination, assessing and optimizing event routes to improve crowd control and strengthening emergency response and risk management measures.
A three-to-five-year Calabar Carnival Development Program was proposed by the DGL Carnival Consultancy Agency and focuses on creating a structured and sustainable growth plan.
With a clear roadmap for growth, the Calabar Carnival is poised for a new era of success. Under the leadership of David Lopez, the DGL Carnival Consultancy Agency affirmed their commitment to guiding this transformation.
“The future of the Calabar Carnival depends on how well we manage it today,” Lopez concluded. “With the right approach, this festival can continue to showcase the richness of African culture while driving tourism, economic development, and global recognition. By implementing these strategic improvements, the carnival is expected to maintain its status as a premier cultural festival while ensuring long-term sustainability and economic impact.”
For more information, please contact the DGL Carnival Consultancy Agency at dglcarnivalcca@gmail.com or call Mr Lopez at 18687656066
