Beres tell me, Should I Stay, Should I go?

So…. it’s been a while since I touched down on the island of Jamrock.

& before I can even wrap my mind on what I’m doing the Friday after Trinidad Carnival, bands start launching for Jamaica Carnival.

And I’m seriously stressed. HELLO, we eh even cross the stage yet in Trinidad and bands talking about “register now”? NAH MAN.

So this month, two bands launched in Jamaica : Xodus and Xaymaca. Originally, prior to this year there was one band in Jamaica for Carnival: Bacchanal Jamaica. I played with Bacchanal Jamaica in 2015 and had my first taste of what to expect out of Jamaica and their carnival. I had very low expectations originally, being that it was :

1. Jamaica

2. A relatively non-soca loving island

I was proven wrong! I had one of my best carnival experiences that year. The fetes were great, road was nice and I was able to darken my tan that was fading from Trinidad.

Here is a link to my vlog for that year: Bacchanal Jamaica 2015 Vlog

Bacchanal Jamaica has still yet to launch but I am feeling a super way about costume prices. Now I know Jamaica was a market that needed to be dominated…and the Trinidadian mas designers did just that with Xaymaca and Xodus mas bands. They came on the scene and dominated with their costume designs and both bands seemed to have a really positive turn out. However, skepticism comes in here.

I don’t know how I feel about paying $800 US for a frontline costume (Those are the only ones I’m drawn to) for one day of mas. I don’t mind shelling out $800+ for two days of mas in Trinidad but one day? AND plenty Jamaican Yaad man stormers inside the band? I just don’t know nah…

Now some people might be all for it. However, I’m trying to be a more sensible adult in 2018 and moving into a nice little luxury apartment is on my list of things to do. Being that Jamaica Carnival is only one month after Trinidad’s it almost makes me feel slightly irresponsible to shell out thousands back to back. My estimate costs for accommodation, fetes and a frontline costume is running me around $1200- $1500.

Last year I spent about $2000-ish in total during Trinidad Carnival ($2000 is low for Trinidad & that is not including accommodation)

Am I thinking too hard or nah? Or should I just get a basic backline and customize it?

Here are my costume choices for Xaymaca and Xodus , since Bacchanal Jamaica hasn’t launched yet.

After constant scrutiny with friends I settled for this selection. If I DO make it to Jamaica you’ll see me in either of these options. Most likely, I’ll be adding or taking away pieces to make it fit my liking.

Xaymaca

Demin Diamond Frontline with Small Backpack – $650

Emerald Lush Frontline – $725

Red Beryl Frontline w/ Headpiece- $575

Stardust Frontline w/ Large Backpack – $750 Stone Gold w/ Large Backpack – $775

Xodus

Scarlett Frontline – $690 Noir Frontline – $650

To register for Xaymaca and Xodus create a profile on their websites and register under the section you would like to play in. For both Xaymaca and Xodus they are requiring a downpayment of $150 (plus added online fees) upfront and the opportunity to pay your costume balance in increments online before distribution date in Jamaica.

-❤️Choonks