Tradition and Commerce

Tradition and commerce often clash in many cultures. In Trinidad, Carnival is the source of current friction. The complaint, as you would expect, is that traditional skills and creativity are being lost in the rush to make profits. And the profits are large: the two-day festival, which attracts up to 40,000 tourists each year, is estimated to generate somewhere between $27 million and $100 million. A particular problem for traditionalists is that the extravagant colourful costumes people wear in the bands or processions are now largely being imported, especially from China. These costumes are cheaper and more revealing (another cause of complaint) than those made locally. Critics say these imports are a threat to traditional creations and, worse, mean sending work elsewhere. Others see turning the Carnival into a profitable, exportable industry as a progressive move that benefits the country as a whole.