Mas Vyé fò
MAS VYÉFÒ, ONE OF THE OLDEST CARNIVALS IN THE GUADELOUPE ISLANDS
Located in the south of the island of Basse-Terre, the commune of Vieux-Fort has had its own carnival for over 150 years.
A veritable cornerstone of local culture, the Mas Vyéfò or "Masks of Vieux-Fort", with their soft music and madras robes, take us back to the Guadeloupe of yesteryear. Framed by strict rules, the Mas Vyéfò have their own way of celebrating carnival.
'Kongo', also known as 'nèg gwo siwo' or 'mas à goudwon'
On Epiphany, the first Sunday of the year, Vieux-Fort carnival-goers perform Kongo, covering themselves in black syrup, the composition of which only a few initiates know, recalling its African origins. The Kongos dance on 2 bamboos at men's height. The Gourreau opens the march.
'Mas Grajé Mannyok'
On the second Sunday, it's time for the Mas Grajé Mannyok (cassava grating mas). Carnival performers showcase the process of transforming cassava into flour and kassav. Costumes for this parade include straw hats, pants, shirts, dresses and skirts.
'Mas Pilé Kafé'
The third Sunday is Mas Pilé Kafé day, representing the process of transforming coffee from seed to beverage.
@Les Masques de Vieux-Fort
'Mas a bel ganm'
The fourth Sunday in January is Mas a bel ganm, when men turn into women and vice versa.
ORIGINS OF 'MAS VYÉFÒ'
The origins of this carnival are still a mystery, but the strong similarities with the carnivals of Dominica and Montserrat have left many ethnomusicologists wondering. These similarities are certainly due to the numerous transactions between Vieux Fort and the north of Dominica, not forgetting Montserrat, which is only a few kilometers from Guadeloupe.
Many other traditions surround the 'Mas Vyéfò'. At first, the women didn't dress up and were exclusively dedicated to making their husbands' costumes. However, with the onset of war, they eventually took center stage, replacing their husbands. The Mas Vyéfò parades began in the bik à mas, a secret location in Anse Dupuis where men gathered to dress up. However, the women couldn't recognize their husbands, as they exchanged some or all of their costumes with each other. Today, the parade still departs from Anse Dupuis, but the location is no longer a secret.
The ‘Mas Vyéfò’ parade is led by the ‘Mèt à Mas’ (master of the mas), usually a local elder. The mèt à mas leads the procession of musicians, who must never move from one place to another to avoid distorting the sound of the music. They use a variety of instruments, including the chacha (shakers) and a double sided drum.