7 News Belize

Mas Camps Colourful
posted (September 1, 2011)
Mas Camps continued last night and right now they're in full swing. So is Monica Bodden who's been massing like nobody's business for the past week.

Last night she and Codie Norales visited Erotic Mas Band and Soca Warriors - here's what they found...

Monica Bodden Reporting
With carnival being only 3 days away - The carnival fever continues as these bands finish up their last minute touches on their costumes and strengthen their dancing techniques.

Our first stop last night was at the Eternity Mas Camp where 75 revelers - all energized - gave us a peek of what we can expect come Saturday.

Misty Williams - Eternity Mas Band
"This year the Eternity Mass band is depicting Belizean civilization - the combination of the Mayan and the African civilizations, we believe that both of them had a contribution towards getting our Independence now that we are 30 years. The first part of the costume - the African and Mayan part of the costume we have the African map and the other side we have the Belizean Coat of Arms. We thought that both the African and Belize had a role is us getting our Independence."

"We have a lot of cultures in Belize. We have the Mayan, we have the Garifuna - we are all different colors but we are one people and that was the reason for the bright colors in the remaining two groups."

And then it was unto to the group- which calls itself Soca Warriors. There these adults showed off there hype in front of our camera - gyrating to all the latest soca hit songs.

Jason Belisle - Band Leader, Soca Warriors
"Our theme is "Belize - let the violence cease, under peace, love and unity."

Monica Bodden
"How did you guys come up with that theme?"

Jason Belisle - Band Leader, Soca Warriors
"Just one day I was sitting down watching the news and thinking about all the crime rates and violence and the killings that are happening at the moment. I sat down and I thought about a theme within that and i came up with "Belize - let the violence cease, under peace, love and unity" and we hope to send a message out on Carnival day, yes we want to have fun but still send a message out there."

The band Soca Warriors have a total of a hundred and five revelers and members say it's their first year out.

Jason Belisle - Band Leader, Soca Warriors
"Our costumes are hard work and took a lot of time to make. I design the costumes myself."

Monica Bodden
"Tell us about the different sections?"

Jason Belisle - Band Leader, Soca Warriors
"Our first section is peace; that is lime green and white and the love; black and red."

The camps continue tonight and we'll have more for you tomorrow.

A press release was sent out today by the National Committee for Families and Children asking for the protection of children during these celebration times.

The press release stated and we quote - "NCFC condemns the way in which girl children were allowed to display suggestive movements in public while dancing on stage after the Song Competition on Friday". If you saw that show, you may recall that four girls were brought on stage to dance the Tornado song for a prize.

It continued by saying " as we celebrate our 30th anniversary as an independent nation, the time is not only ideal to honor our history, celebrate our cultures and unite for peace, but also to protect our youngest citizens as they too enjoy the festivities and reflect on nation-building in a safe and nurturing environment", end of quote.


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