And while Belize City revelers may think they have a monopoly on Mas Camp madness – that's not quite so. The Carnival spirit is gaining traction in the south where last week, NICH visited two Mas Camps, one in Seine Byte the other in Punta Gorda. They found that the spirit and competitiveness is alive and well:…
Voice of Liz - Bandleader, Irahunu Dance Band
"Irahunu started in 2010 and we have been competing in the peninsula and have been champions ever since. For the first it was kind of a shock when we actually won and the second place the kids were confident enough to go into competition. So this year we're moving to another level, and we're going to Belize City for the first time. They start from age 9 up to 15 - the band consists of 168 but I'm only taking 45 to Belize City."
Reporter
"Why only 45?"
Voice of Liz
"That's all we can afford."
"The first time I came into carnival, we weren't really developed but we were a small little group and then we didn't expect to win but when we heard Seine Beight first place so I said next year I had to come in again. I wish that we can come in the top three, anyone of them but as long as we go to Belize and represent our village."
"Irahunu Dance Band is coming, we're coming hard - I expect fun and no violence, just going with a clean heart."
"Here on the peninsula,we only have limited access to little things so we have to use what we have. That is like the gift wrap paper, the little frills and ribbons are from Belize City. I do have sponsors from abroad that send for us every year."
Angela Lino - Bandleader - Wipeout
"The word WIPEOUT is an acronym - it stands for Women in Punta Gorda Enhancing our Unique town. Our group is a non-profit, non political group consisting of women who are domestic workers, public officers and teachers. Our group was established for women empowerment and for community services - it has two sections, wipeout women's group and wipeout junior carnival group. Wipeout junior carnival group was formed last year July 2012. It was great, we were all excited about because it was the first time that we were in carnival - it was great."
Reporter
"What are you expecting for Carnival this year?"
Angela Lino
"We're expecting more excitement, and we're expecting to win - we're going in to win. We have 56 boys and girls - ages 5 to 17 years."
As you heard in the story, both bands hope to compete in the Belize city Carnival.
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