Losing our masks: traditional masquerade and changing constructs of Barbadian identity.

Abstract

Masquerade has been central to Barbadian performance culture. Such cultural forms as the ‘Shaggy Bear’ and ‘Mr. Harding’ have been part of the African-Barbadian historical narrative and lived experience. Many performed their way through slavery, emancipation and colonialism. In the independence period, these forms were corralled into the nationalist agenda and were given the additional responsibility of illustrating an ideal Barbadian cultural identity. Their African-Barbadian elements were seen as necessary ammunition in the new era against the colonial notion of the ever-anglicised Barbadian. However, as the policy makers redesigned the masquerade to fit the presumed ideal identity, masking traditions that were deemed problematic were changed, some were lost, and/ or excluded from the national space. This article examines the ways in which traditional masquerade gives insight into changing constructs of Barbadian identity. It captures some of the histories that have been marginalised in the official historical narrative of the island. It also explores some of the challenges faced in designing a national culture in a Caribbean space.