On Saturday, March 25, board members of the “Kolektif Mas Kiltirèl” – namely Jacques Songeons, Alain Mozar, Nathalie Rabin, Gladys Bordelais, Nathalie Sylvestre and Claude Vincenot – as well as 12 groups gathered at the premises of the “Mouvman kiltirèl Inité Mas” in Baie-Mahault to briefly take stock of the 2023 Guadeloupe Carnival for skin groups or “gwoup a po”.
The publication of a more comprehensive report entitled “Regards croisés” was announced for the end of June.
In the introduction, all participants stated that “Carnival in 2023 was exceptional. The Mas a Po and the Mouvman Kiltirèl held their own, they expressed themselves, they animated the country and they did great and beautiful things (…)”. However, taking stock was necessary and essential for the association because “its purpose is to evaluate, share information, draw lessons and prepare for the future”.
Two areas were chosen for this review of carnival 2023: culture and safety/responsibility.
With regard to the cultural axis developed by Nathalie Jean-Jacques, the groups admitted to suffering from a lack of recognition, which must be resolved by greater unity and cohesion between the members of the groups and the groups themselves. Exchanges (lyannaj) between groups tend to increase. The socio-cultural aspect, i.e. living together in each skin group, was stressed. There is a proliferation of activities during the carnival period, such as festivals, immersions, shows with cultural and economic partnerships. Some initiatives are now well “anchored” in the calendar : Mas ka klé with its “Wikenn kiltirel”, Songé Sa with “Mas a Penti”, Mangrov-la with “Mas”, Le Pwen? with “Kongo karayb” and “Mariage Burlesque weddings” and others like “Mas a ti Moun”…
Concerning the rhythms of the “deboulés” (parades), we find fitness walking and swing at a slower pace performed by the group “Mas a Wobè” but the important thing is to agree to offer spectators a quality show. In addition, the time when the groups go out in the streets is no longer just after 6.pm, parades take place during the day, night, week or weekend. Skin groups are multiplying in the towns of the Guadeloupe archipelago, but in the past they often existed in these places and not only in the Pointe-à-Pitre and Les Abymes conurbation.
With regard to the safety/responsibility axis developed by Jacques Songeons, KMK points out that: “Since 2016 we have been committed to developing the safety/responsibility concept. Safety is necessary for both actors and others. Standards evolve, adaptations are necessary. Organizations have a major responsibility. Groups must remind their partners about the requirements of “déboulés”. They must make themselves heard. And the parties concerned must agree (…) We have a number of achievements and many contributions to our credit. This has led us, over the years, to initiate press conferences, and make proposals to the State, local authorities and others (…) This year, events that did not meet safety requirements were not authorized. They didn’t come true. It will be increasingly difficult to organize an event that does not meet safety requirements. We want to stress the fact that groups are making efforts to optimize their security arrangements. We advocate for events including “déboulés” with ‘zero incident'”.
In 2024, KMK will celebrate its 20th anniversary. One of the flagship events will be the 2nd edition of “Mas Lapwent”, on Sunday January 21, in Pointe-à-Pitre.
