Minstrels

Minstrels are a roving band of singing entertainers.

Minstrels seem to derive from the minstrel shows that were popular in the United States at the turn of the century, and were probably introduced into Trinidad by traveling troupes or by Trinidadians returning from the States. The original minstrels were Negroes, but many of the most popular were whites who wore “blackface” and followed a set of conventions in representing Negroes. The Trinidad masquer, though nearly always Negro himself imitates these conventions including the “blackface”'

Exaggerated white “lips” painted around his mouth, red spots on cheeks or their faces could be painted white with red spots on the cheeks.Their costume is usually red and white in colour and consists of a double-breasted jacket with a scissors tailcoat, tie, striped trousers, a tall hat and white gloves.All parts of the costume are usually decorated including their instruments. The group usually consists of four members of which one or two will play the guitar, mouth organ, chac-chac or banjos. Minstrels may sometimes have a dance routine.