7 News Belize

Mas Camps Wind Down, Energy Stays Up
posted (September 2, 2011)
And while armed robbers had their way in Belama, in other parts of the city, it was carnival fever all around. Last night the Mas Camp madness was reaching its peak as Carnival is only two days away.

Here's what Monica Bodden and Codie Norales saw when they went out last night.

Monica Bodden reporting
Their theme this year is experiencing the Best of Belize - and according to Jam Jam Carnival Band - it's 120 revelers are ready to bring color, energy and charisma come carnival day.

Alma Gabriel - Jam Jam Carnival Band
"Our team this year is "Experience the best of Belize, the best rum, Travellers Rum, the beautiful birds and the Barrier Reef."

Monica Bodden
"How did the idea come about for you guys to do that?"

Alma Gabriel - Jam Jam Carnival Band
"Well, we sat down and we decided to do a tourism team. You know when tours come to Belize; they are looking to experience a little part of things, so we picked out three of the things we thought they should experience when they come; the liquor, go bird watching and visit the Barrier Reef."

Jam Jam began costume making in June and told us they will be having 3 sections this year in the carnival.

Alma Gabriel - Jam Jam Carnival Band
"Our first section is the Travellers section; the Gold Rum, the award winning 1 Barrel Rum and the Graffiti Rum Bitters and the second section is the beautiful birds; the Killed Bill Toucan, the scarlet macaw and the Harpy eagle and the third section is the Barrier Reef. I would to thank my sponsors Travellers Liquors and Joseph and Taylor, without them carnival would not be for Jam Jam this year. So a big thank you to both of them especially, Ms. Perla Perdomo and Mr. Francis Codd and also D.F.C. Thanks for their help."

Next stop was at Mother Nature's Mas Camp where the hype was on full blast.

Leroy Green - Costume Designer
"This year Mother Nature is bringing out the team "Religion and Superstition." We choose that team because Belizeans are deeply religious and at the same time they are also very superstitious. It is brought out through a story called movers of the seasons. Our group has 3 different sections. Section 1 is led by King Galactico, because he and King Dowd were fighting over who will be the ruler of the Belizean Heavens. The Belizean forest people selected King Galactico, so King Dowd got mad and he cast a spell over the Belizean people; the Belizean lands where there was a serious drought. All the crops dried up all the flowers got withered, all the rivers and the creeks dried up in their fields, but the people got together and prayed and offered up sacrifices up to King Galactico. King Galactico is the mover of seasons, who can change the weather. He heard their prayers and he sent the message through the lighting currents to Queen Lorena - she is Goddess of the Rain and the Waterfall. She heard King Galactico's message and she allowed the clouds to get full and clouds let down the water on the land, formed water falls, flowed into the rivers and creeks. The land became green again all the vegetables, fruits and flowers was ripened and Queen Abondia came out. Queen Abondia is the Goddess of Harvest. So when she came out and she allowed the people to have a bountiful harvest, they got together and had a big bacanal in the Belizean forest and that is the gist of our presentation for our carnival 2011."

Monica Bodden
"Tell us how many revelers have you guys this year?"

Leroy Green - Costume Designer
"175 strong."

Monica Bodden
"Is this the biggest group?"

Leroy Green - Costume Designer
"Yes it is and we still are turning away people because we don't have any more costumes and I will also like to thank every sponsor who came onboard and help to make our presentation a possibility this year. So from Mother Nature to all our sponsors a very big thank you."

Monica Bodden
"Now you think Mother Nature ready for carnival road march 2011?"

Leroy Green - Costume Designer
"I guess you guys passed through that crowed out there, so that is supposed to tell you guys, we are more than ready."

The camp visits wind up tonight - as the camps prepare for tomorrow morning's J'ouvert (Jou-vay) and then in the afternoon, the Carnival Road March.

This year - as has been the case for the past 17 years - it will be live on Channel 7 starting at noon with your hosts Shari Williams and Tyrone Chimilio, so make sure to tune into that.

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