Trinidad and Tobago’s 2025 Carnival season was just about a blockbuster film – a critically acclaimed expertise that no person may’ve presumably been really ready for. Three months of full-fledged, hyper-energetic ecstasy culminated with the standard mas on the street expertise that many journey from elements far and vast to get pleasure from, yearly. This yr, YUMA offered an expertise for not solely seasoned masqueraders, however many newcomers who’ve already co-signed with family and friends, to do it once more, and once more, and once more.
1. COSTUME DESIGN AND QUALITY:
For fairly a variety of years, the YUMA model has maneuvered the carnival panorama, with its designers like Rawle Permanand and Marie Collette, delivering beautiful costumes for the street. This yr was no totally different. The costume high quality and sweetness stood successfully, leaving little or no, if something extra to be desired. The band’s ‘Echoes of IERE’ theme featured sections like Marie Collette’s ‘Poui’ in a selection of a vivacious sizzling pink or an attention-grabbing brilliant yellow. Collette herself paraded the streets of Port-of-Spain on Carnival Tuesday within the full hardline ensemble in her selection of brilliant yellow. The sweetness and high quality of her costume was unmistakeable. Different sections included Flambeaux, Hibiscus, Magnificent 7, Masala, Nariva, Riddim, Iere, Emperor, Echoes, Castara, Doux Doux Dahlin, Bucco and Bae-Go- rounding off the overall avenue design showcase to 14. When it got here time to point out off and present out, the vibrance of the intricate designs and fascinating kaleidoscope of color, couldn’t be ignored.
2. PROFESSIONALISM AND EFFICIENCY
Whether or not partially owed to its partnerships with manufacturers like Digicel, Dasani, Hennessy, Johnnie Walker, Maybelline New York, Ocean Spray, VISA, Purple Bull, Coca Cola, Shine Distributors, Skins, Hai Trim and Feathers, Carib, Jose Cuervo and Guinness, or just its distinct and intentional effort to supply its masqueraders with the perfect cash should buy, YUMA as soon as once more delivered on buyer satisfaction. From the costume assortment the place masqueraders obtained backpacks, which held quite a lot of goodies inside, inclusive of two branded aluminum cups and different requirements that might be appreciated for the street expertise, and past, to the hassle proven by drink attendants and safety employees to reduce discomfort in any method, and naturally, the element and a focus paid to their lunch cease, many basked within the YUMA vibe and professionalism all through the two-day expertise.
3. MUSIC SELECTION AND VIBE
Music choice is a giant deal. The YUMA DJ choice proved prime tier on Carnival Monday and Tuesday with the likes of Whitney Husbands, DJ Linx, Kevon X, Main Penny, DJ Jel, Selector Snappy and Deejay Kareem and others pleasing masqueraders with tunes from ‘tune land.’ Soca was the order and the DJs didn’t disappoint.
4. THE PEOPLE WHO BRING THE VIBE
YUMA has all the time been identified to be the band of the superstars. This yr was no totally different, with a slate of common faces within the combine, inclusive of influencers like Anil and Kineta James, Neicey bwoss, mannequin, Mela, Charlotte Wingham, Carnival Sabrina, cricketer, Dwayne Bravo, and others. Soca artistes like Jadel, Lyrikal, Girl Lava, Voice, The A Crew Band and others have been additionally part of the vibe. “As an artiste, I can say the artistes have been handled wonderful. We obtained VISA bands for YUMA and I liked the truth that YUMA had The A Crew band LIVE. That was so entertaining and masqueraders appreciated that a lot. Plenty of mas bands don’t convey that stay band factor to the street and that stay band on the street, did it for me,” Jadel advised Ebuzztt. She additionally stated the drinks truck was on level. “I had no issues with the drinks in any respect, the courtesies prolonged have been wonderful. The entire vibe- the vitality was simply love – love and happiness and unity,” she added.
5. READY- FOR- ANYTHING MASQUERADERS
With social media and trend-setting being the kill-joy for a lot of within the carnival area, it might be remiss of us to not point out the truth that on the street, masquerading was the order in YUMA. Whereas there have been moments for the ‘gram’ and TikTok, this didn’t take away from the general vitality of the individuals on the street. Stunning girls, good-looking males – all up for the fun of the carnival roadshow expertise, immersed themselves within the music of the season and confirmed off their effervescent nature, making it abundantly clear that YUMA simply could be THE band to actually convey the VIBES, not simply in 2025 however method into the years forward.
