King Sailor - The Ghost Drummer

Fancy Sailor, the Ghost Drummer, 2006

Kevin Quammie is in his King Sailor's costume called, Ghost Drummer. The 16 year old is taking after this father’s traditions of playing mas and liking power very much. The carnival band is called De. B.O.S.S. The abbreviation stands for the, Belmont Original Stylish Sailors and Kevin’s father says, these unique costumes traditional to Trinidad and Tobago's carnival are being overtaken by commercialism and by the trends sort from Rio Carnival, namely the pantie and draws covered with feathers, plastic beads and costing masqueraders over $2,000 dollars TT.


Ghost Drummer with African drums made from a discothèque balls between the white feathers and skulls pulsing with electronic diodes.

As a wire bender, Kevin father speaks about of the process it takes to build one of these costumes from the frame up. There are many factors a mas designer should know, weight, flexibility and movement of a costume, he says. The wind at the Savannah could take yuh, and that will be the end of you. The Ghost Drummer is in tribute to Andrews Beddoe, one of the finest African drummers and craftsmen in Trinidad and Tobago.
.................................................................................................................
Liking powder - Relating to sailors who throw baby power at each other during carnival in Trinidad and Tobago