The Carriacou Mas’ as "Syncretic Artifact"

Competitive performances of speeches from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar at village crossroads by pairs of costumed men are part of the carnival celebrations in Carriacou. Poor or inaccurate recitations result in the whipping of one mas’ player by his opponent and a challenge for additional recitations by another player. These performances, which are similar to those that once existed on other Anglophone West Indian islands, combine English mummers, European carnival, and West African traditions.