What I’ve enjoyed most in my research journey so far is uncovering the unwritten narratives — from bandleaders who pour their hearts into children’s presentations to families for whom Junior Mas is a rite of passage. I have visited mas camps in far flung areas of Trinidad and Tobago where the focus isn’t on competition or corporate sponsorship but on forming a community and maintaining tradition for the little ones in their community. I’ve been fascinated by the creative imagination on display in children’s mas and its role in forming early national and cultural identity.

I have also been exposed to a myriad of challenges that teachers face in an attempt to keep the tradition of mas making alive. They have therefore resorted to hiring private bandleaders who design and produce the entire portrayal and allow the children to play mas. This has opened my eyes to the need for greater attention to be paid to prioritising this national festival’s place in the school’s curriculum.