Dame Lorraine

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Dame Lorraine or Dame Lorine (Trinidad and Tobago) Trinidad, is a historical Trinidadian Carnival character. [1]

Contents

History

Her origins and identity can be traced back to colonial times in Trinidad and Tobago in the 18th and early 19th century, emerging from colonial French Masques. [2] Historically, Dame Lorraine masquerade featured a diverse array of performers, including not only liberated slaves and women but also cross-dressing men. [3] The character has been associated with the performances of comedy, found to be mocking both the former French colonists and their ways [2] along with satirizing the French plantation wives. [4]

She is part of a collective group of other "Ole Mas", also known as traditional mass characters. [5] The characters in traditional mas were meant to interact closely with spectators. [5] Masqueraders of Dame Lorraine would take part in elaborate skits and parodies of the early French planters. [6] These activities would take place during the event of Dimanche Gras. [6] The names of each character, including Dame Lorraine, were in French Creole. These included Ma Gwo Bunda (Madame Big Bottom) and Ma Gros Tete (Madame Big Breasts). [2] Dame Lorraine would become a part of Carnival processions as early as 1884. [4] Dame Lorraine has been associated with the performances of comedy, found to be mocking former French colonists [2] and satirizing the colonial French plantation wives. [4]

Characterization

Many of the attributes of Dame Lorraine are from colonial European influences. She is often depicted as a large woman, having an overexaggerated bust and rear, along with wearing brightly coloured ankle length, [2] sometimes floral printed, dresses. [4] Previously, the dresses would be made out materials that were found, including rags. Sometimes as well this included a pregnant belly. [5] These were meant to hint at impure morals. [3] She is also found adorning items such as a mask to partially covers their face, [2] a fan, and embellishments and accessories such as hats, fans, and jewelry. [4] As of Today, she is predominantly depicted by women. [2]

References

  1. ↑ "Dame Lorraine or Dame Lorine", Traditional Carnival Characters.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Henry, Frances; Henry, Jeff (December 2019). "Stories of Resistance and Oppression: Baby Doll and Dame Lorraine". In Henry, Frances; Plaza, Dwaine (eds.). Carnival is Woman. University Press of Mississippi. pp. 43–55.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  3. 1 2 Kerrigan, Dylan (2005-01-01). "Creatures of the mas". Caribbean Beat Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Puar, Jasbir (3 August 2018). "Publications". jasbirkpuar.com. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  5. 1 2 3 Martin, Carol (1998). "Trinidad Carnival Glossary". TDR (1988-). 42 (3): 220–235. doi:10.1162/105420498760308580. ISSN   1054-2043. JSTOR   1146693.
  6. 1 2 "Traditional Mas Characters - Dame Lorraine". www.ncctt.org. Retrieved 2024-03-24.


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