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Concerns are mounting among several carnival stakeholders over the management and overall direction of Belize’s annual Carnival celebrations. This morning, leaders from a number of mas bands convened at the Belize Civic Center to air their grievances regarding the handling of the event by the Belize Carnival Association and other organizational issues. Among the groups represented were Fantasy Explosion, Titans Mas Band, Trenchtown Masqueraders, and the Soca Massive Junior Band. During the meeting, participants pointed to what they described as longstanding concerns about accountability, prize structures, and communication with band leaders. Representatives Pauline Bradley of Soca Massive and David Matus of Titans Mas Band were among those calling for clearer oversight and improved engagement with participating groups. One band leader also questioned the transparency surrounding how bands are included in the prize breakdown and how awards are ultimately determined.
Audrey Bradley, Soca Moca Band: “We the band leaders are here to responsibility, accountability, funds, and transparency. Who goes into a competition not knowing what we will win, what we will get ? We the band leaders. For years we have been doing that. Personally I’ve won the last five years and I personally can tell you I’ve gotten five different amounts not the same and most of the time I won the same thing; second for king or queen or third and then first for road march and I still got different money, never the same. And it’s not like they inform us this is what we will get. We always ask and they would always say they will ask for more for us and they will give us and answer and we have never gotten that answer. Responsibility, I don’t think us the bandleaders have any of that from them. We always have a lot of questions, never get answers. I remember Mr.David always asking for them to waive something from the customs department for whenever we bring in the feathers and stuff and I don’t know if he ever got help from that but I did it last year and I was charged a fee of $350 to bring in my feathers when I simply asked the president two different times I called him and asked him they are bringing in my feathers can you please call somebody. He said he would do it right now, that he will call and I called him up to the date when the person said he was at the airport and no help.”
Titans Mas Band leader David Matus emphasized the significant financial burden bands shoulder each year and called for greater transparency in the management of the event. Matus noted that even though Titans operates as a non-competing band, its presence remains strong and contributes meaningfully to the overall Carnival experience. He stressed that bands in every category deserve answers and support.
David Matus, Titans Mass Band: “We make up a part of the Carnival. We make up a big part of the Carnival because we’re pulling out three, four trucks. It’s a lot of investment. We decided not to compete because of the rule book, the whole drama with the competition and the prize money is is not worth it. You’re competing for $10,000 for the past 28 years that I’ve been involved the prize has not changed. So prizes are not working. The amount of money we invest into a carnival is over $100,000 when you’re dealing with a big band. So the prizes are not working out, nothing is changing for us as a non competing and at the end of the day I believe we’re being disrespected because when the carnival takes part and they go in front of the judges whenever the non competing bands come along they move away from where their viewing everybody else, we’re part of the carnival. We deserve a right to be seen and see what’s the difference between a competing and non competing band. So for us it’s like we work months into this activity, we’re the biggest activity for September and it’s not growing. We’re celebrating fifty years last year and there’s no change in fifty years. Well from I’ve been there there’s no change. The rulebook is the same, the money is the same, the people running the carnival is the same so it’s not making any sense.”
The concerns come just days after Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations Anthony Mahler publicly reflected on the state of Belize Carnival, noting that the event still has considerable ground to cover before it can attract stronger international participation and investment. Meanwhile, additional voices within the Carnival community say communication remains a major sticking point. Sherlette Ottley cited ongoing gaps in engagement between organizers and band leaders, while Leroy Smith said he was personally disappointed by last year’s interactions with the president of the Belize Carnival Association and is now questioning the status of funds he says were promised.
Sherlette Ottley, Fantasy Explosion: “There has been a consistent failure to provide timely and accurate information to band leaders resulting in confusion and mistrust and disorganization.”
Leroy Smith, Reveler, Carnival Band: “I have one question to Mr.Thompson, last year in one of the carnival meeting Mr.Thompson had mentioned to me and Ms.Patty about me and Ms.Patty normally don’t have our numbers to take part in the carnival but because it’s the 50th anniversary Mr.Thompson and the board of the Carnival Association promised us that even if we don’t have our count to take part he will still grant one of us the third place prize and he disqualified both of us and he said he sent back the money to NCC. So I am asking NCC did they receive the third place money back ? That’s all I’m asking because me and Ms.Patty have invested so much money and it’s unbelievable to do me and Ms.Patty that so all I’m asking is where is the third place money ?”
Stakeholders say they are hoping the concerns raised at today’s meeting will lead to meaningful dialogue and reforms aimed at strengthening the future of Belize Carnival.
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