Women Of Mas: Redefining beauty and black femininity with the Spicemas of Grenada – Essence

Spicemas in Granada is much more than a celebration. It is a heartbeat of the island’s culture, history and spirit on a stage where past and present intertwine. It is about freedom and liberation in every sense of the word. It recognizes the emancipation of African peoples who were once enslaved there, while creating space for current and future generations to come together in community and share joy with one another. This is the case for everyone, but especially for black women.

As a black American woman, I had never attended a Caribbean carnival. I didn’t know much about it, other than the vibrant images I saw on social media from time to time. Going to Granada for Spicemas – my first carnival – was exciting and intimidating. But once I landed, I immediately felt the energy of the season. It was infectious in the best way. It was the start of a journey that made me feel more comfortable in my body than ever before. Alongside thousands of other black women of all shapes and shades who were going through the same experience. Hips that sway and black skin that shines under the most beautiful and complex costumes: Carnival is a woman. That’s the saying, and it’s the truth.

The women behind the farmhouse

Carnival’s roots extend deep into Caribbean history, born from the fusion of African traditions and European colonial influences. Historically, Carnival was once dominated by men. However, over time, women have found their place within the festivities. They brought new dimensions to the celebration, embodying resistance, resilience and the reappropriation of cultural narratives.

For example, when Ebony Telesford, co-founder of carnival group Lavish, was thinking about themes for the 2024 carnival season, she and her team came up with “Fauxlore,” which incorporated traditional carnival characters with a modern twist. “It’s a game about folklore characters, giving them a second character so they can play mas.”

This type of feminine innovation has become an integral part of Carnival and its continued growth. “If you look at other groups in the Caribbean, most of them are male-owned. But when you look at who plays at Carnival, it’s mostly women. It’s usually about 80 percent female,” Telesford said. “The majority of my team members are women, and I feel like that gives me an advantage over other groups because there are more men than women leading groups in my country. I know what we (women) like. I know what we want. I know the types of amenities we would like to include. We know what we would like to see on our body, what we would feel comfortable with.

Telesford points out that although male-led groups remain dominant, women make up the majority of Carnival participants. “If you look at other groups in the Caribbean, most of them are male-owned. But when you look at who plays at Carnival, it’s mostly women. It’s usually about 80 percent female,” Telesford said. “The majority of my team members are women, and I feel like that gives me an advantage over other groups because there are more men than women leading groups in my country. I know what we (women) like. I know what we want. I know the types of amenities we would like to include. We know what we would like to see on our body, what we would feel comfortable with,” she shared with ESSENCE.

This nuanced understanding of women’s needs during Carnival is echoed by Solange Thomas Dowden, founder of Valini Courier and Concierge Services, who says her goal is to ensure that women not only receive their costumes on time, but feel fully supported throughout. along the Carnival route. Its business goes beyond deliveries, offering hands-on assistance to help women fit their suits, ensuring they feel confident and empowered. “It is crucial to directly involve women in the execution of Carnival services, because only a woman truly understands the whole essence of another woman,” she said. Valini’s services range from organizing party itineraries and island activities to babysitting and educating visitors about Spicemas traditions like J’ouvert, all with knowledge intimate of what women enjoy most during carnival. “As women, from a concierge perspective, we are able to curate our packages keeping in mind what we know a woman may want or need,” said Thomas Dowden.

As Spicemas continues to thrive thanks to the invaluable contributions of women, these women behind the mas say there is still room for greater representation at the management level. “I was interim chair of the Spicemas board in 2017, and after that, Jocelyn Sylvester-Gary was the only woman I knew to be there permanently. Apart from that, they were always men; in the last 30 years you’ve only had male presidents,” said Shirma Wells, author and former CEO of the Granada Cultural Foundation. “I hope that in the future we can have greater involvement at the decision-making level, at the implementation level, with women,” she shared. Wells hopes that as Carnival continues to evolve, more women will be empowered to shape its future at all levels, ensuring their perspectives are woven into the fabric of the festival’s growth.

A different type of beauty

In Grenada, black womanhood is a complex and multifaceted experience. It is a space where beauty is not defined by Eurocentric standards but by uninhibited self-expression. Carnival allows women to break out of the roles and expectations that society imposes on us. It’s about accepting all parts of yourself and finding power in them.

Today, Spicemas sees an increasing number of women participating, not only in Pretty Mas, but in all aspects of Carnival. This increase in participation reflects a broader shift in the Caribbean cultural landscape, where women are embracing their power and influence.

The pretty mas, often characterized by elaborate costumes and a celebration of beauty, is one of the areas where the presence of women is most visible. Yet Spicemas also offers a space to explore femininity beyond the traditional boundaries of beauty. Here, black femininity is not limited to what is “pretty”. It’s raw, powerful and unbridled, especially during Jab Jab, where participants coat themselves in black oil, paint or charcoal, embodying the spirit of rebellion and freedom. Asked if she had seen an increase in the number of women taking part in the Jab, Wells replied: “Oh yes. To a large extent.

Traditionally male-dominated, Jab Jab, one of the most iconic aspects of Spicemas, has evolved to include a significant number of women who bring their own style to the festivities. These women bring an energy that speaks both of resistance and liberation – as descendants of slaves and as women. “Women want to experience that freedom of expression because that’s what it’s about, and young women, in particular, are very attracted to that sort of thing,” Wells says. “We have seen quite a significant increase in the number of women in Jab.”

This embrace of all aspects of femininity is what makes the Spicemas of Granada unique. It challenges the idea that femininity should be soft and delicate. Instead, it celebrates the strength, resilience and unapologetic boldness of Caribbean women.

Liberation past and present

Carnival is a celebration of the collective liberation of Caribbean countries from colonial rule. At the same time, for many people, it is a moment of liberation from societal constraints. It’s a space where you can just be. “Carnival is supposed to be a liberating experience. As black women, usually the world tries to pick on us. But once you experience Caribbean Carnival in its true essence, you can just let go and have fun, enjoy your body,” said Thomas Dowden. “This is what Carnival is: body positivity, freedom and empowerment in every sense of that word.” I couldn’t agree more.

At the same time, Spicemas in particular is a type of carnival in its own right, rooted in Grenadian history and culture. With its evolution and expansion, preservation is also essential. “I would certainly like to see efforts made to ensure that we maintain as much of that unique Grenadian identity as possible in Mas,” Wells said. “I think we can combine all the fancies – the feathers, the beads, etc. – and at the same time preserve what is also authentically Grenadian in the process.”

As a black woman, Spicemas felt liberating on a level that transcended the physical. Living in a world where my blackness and womanhood are constantly policed, having this space to just be – among other black women, who could just be – has been truly transformative.

Not only did I feel a newfound confidence in my body, stretch marks and all, but I felt free from the limitations, burdens, and many obstacles I encountered in my daily life. Getting rid of those feelings, even if just for a few days, was a gift.

Engagement across the diaspora

There is something powerful about connecting to Black cultures and stories of the diaspora, especially since, even though our ancestors ended up in different parts of the world, they were brought from the same place. During my first visit to Grenada in 2019, I contacted a local man through a mutual friend. He drove me around and showed me the sights. We came to a place near a waterfall and the people at the entrance waved us in. He laughed and said, “They think you’re a local.” Looks like you belong here. There are more things that connect us than divide us. When we engage with different Black cultures, we expand our own understanding of what it means to be Black. This gives us an opportunity to reconnect with our roots, celebrate our diversity and strengthen the bonds that unite our global Black community.

Grenada Spicemas provide a unique opportunity for Black people from across the diaspora to engage with a different facet of Black culture – from the current experience to its rich history. Because Carnival is much more than just a party; it is a powerful expression of identity, resistance and freedom. For Black women, in particular, Spicemas is a reminder of our strength, our beauty, and our right to take up space in the world on our own terms.