Nicole Moses-Beckles rode her way to victory at the Tobago Carnival Monarchs of Mas competition, capturing the coveted title and TT$30,000 with a colourful traditional portrayal titled “Looking for Mr John Boulay”.
The competition officially opened Tobago Carnival festivities on Thursday night at Market Square in Scarborough, featuring ten contestants, all women, who celebrated the island’s cultural heritage through traditional masquerade.
Moses-Beckles portrayed an elegantly dressed woman riding a donkey in search of a man from Charlotteville. Her burrokeet costume combined storytelling, humour and traditional mas to capture the judges’ attention.
She credited Jesse Taylor with inspiring the concept and mas makers Patrick Mills and Susan Harriet in Trinidad with helping to bring the presentation to life.
According to TTT, several competitors used the event to revive traditional characters and highlight Tobago’s cultural identity.
Veteran masquerader Janelle Eastman presented “Queen Moola”, drawing attention to cow mas, a traditional portrayal she believes is becoming less visible.
First-time competitor Leslie-Ann Benjamin showcased “Dance of the Fire Coral”, combining sailor mas with Tobago’s underwater beauty in a costume she created entirely by hand.
Marisa Ward-Robley presented “Bound in the Past”, celebrating women’s fashion from the 1950s and 1960s.
Spectators praised the creativity and welcomed the return of traditional characters, including La Diablesse and donkey mas.
The Carnival programme continues in Roxborough with RoxGlo, where mud mas is expected to feature prominently.
Moses-Beckles’ victory placed traditional storytelling at the centre of Tobago Carnival’s opening celebrations, demonstrating how generations-old characters can still command the spotlight.
