Beyond the Feathers: Navigating Toronto Carnival's Competitive Mas Culture | ft. @madangelo

Carnival veteran Nicholas, who has been participating in big mas since childhood, winning multiple titles and now leading his own section with Saldenah, discusses Toronto Carnival's challenges, controversies, and his hopes for the future.

He shares concerns over prizes for big mas competitions, which don't cover the cost of creation, despite inflation and rising ticket prices for the stadium, prize money hasn't increased. Nicholas also points out the feeling of being undervalued among those behind the scenes, and describes a "dog-eat-dog" atmosphere in the Toronto carnival community.

He also shares his aspirations to focus on keeping children actively involved in the culture by bringing carnival shoe decorating workshops and the first kiddies jouvert to Toronto.

~~Connect on Socials~~
Instagram ♡
Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/
Follow Nicholas: https://www.instagram.com/madangelo_g/
Follow In We Blood: https://www.instagram.com/inweblood_/

Tiktok ☆
In We Blood:  https://www.tiktok.com/@inweblood