By Chantalé Fletcher
IT was the spirits of the ancestors and faith in God that led 29-year-old Shynel Brizan to victory, for a second time.
Moments before her portrayal of “Olugbe-Rere Ko – The Spirit Who Brings Good Things” at the Dimanche Gras, Brizan who is five months pregnant was advised not to go on stage due to her condition and safety measures, as the stage was wet from rain.
Speaking to AZPNews.com via telephone on Saturday, the now two-time holder of the Queen of Carnival title had one message to share since the incident and in recognition of International Women’s Day.
She said, “Do you! You alone know your capabilities, so don’t allow anyone to tell you otherwise.
“So never allow anybody to keep you down. If you set your mind to something, then you can do it no matter what.”
A confident Brizan said that she would never place her child’s life at risk.
She said the incident even attracted the attention of the Orisha community. “I was unaware that they were doing all the background work, but I had now gained an additional support system.”
The introduction
A southern girl from Pleasantville, Brizan was a former national boxer, an active dancer and track and field athlete.
However, she recalled an early boxing practice that led to an introduction to Junior Bissnath, of Junior Bisnath of Kaisoka School of Moko Jumbie, in San Fernando.
Bisnath’s offer to teach her the art made the then 16-year-old Brizan throw everything into the love of stilt walking.
Brizan said, “I did not know any of the traditional Carnival characters because I was not involved in Carnival. The only exposure I had was parading the streets in costume in preschool.”
She said stilt-walking was an old art form where persons would gain extra height, and the Moko Jumbies (derived from West Africa traditions) were the characters being portrayed.
According to the National Carnival Commission website, “Moko Jumbies were regarded as a protector whose towering height made it easier to see evil before ordinary men.”
When asked how long did she take to walk, Brizan responded, “Stilt walking takes time but I picked it up quickly and eventually extended it to extra heights in less than one year.
“However, it was only life experiences that would contribute to mastering the craft as after 14 years, I am now at a professional stage.”
A bird’s view…
Brizan described being on stilts as a rush of different vibrations but felt very comfortable.
She said, “It’s my time to shine and I get to explore and express myself. Usually, I’m very shy but when I go on stilts, I become a completely different person.”
Brizan won the first Queen of Carnival in 2019, with the portrayal of Mariella, Shadow of Consciousness for the band Moko Sõmõkow.
Her first appearance at the Kings and Queens competition occurred at age 18 in 2012 from a costume by mas designer Alan Vaughan.
This led to entries in 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2022 where Vaughan also designed her costumes.
Brizan also entered in the small traditional competitions around the same period with Kings and Queens.
She credited Vaughan for his interest in designing for the Moko’s camp and introducing them to the Kings and Queens and into that part of Carnival.
Brizan said, “In Kaisoka, we mostly entered traditional mass competitions. We also performed at Soca and Chutney Monarchs, inclusive fetes and other gigs.”
When we asked about her decision to compete during pregnancy, she admitted that there was no intention to compete in 2022.
Brizan said the Moko Jumbie community in South was family-oriented and worked well together.
She said, “They wanted me to portray a particular mass and be the queen for one of their kings, but I had my own ideas which gave birth to Olugbe-Rere Ko and my entry into this year’s competition.”
Concept to Execution
Olugbe-Rere Ko – The Spirit Who Brings Good Things was derived from a song dedicated to the Orisha.
Yemaya is a major water deity from the Yoruba religion who governs the surface of the ocean.
Brizan also credited Vaughan but the inspiration came from a painting at her godmother’s house.
She said, “I saw a painting from my godmother’s house titled Showers of Blessings where there was a woman in a flowing dress in a dance position.
“I wanted to portray something with healing, due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, the pains, sorrows felt and the senseless killings, channelling Yemaya’s energy.”
Brizan said upon viewing her inspiration, she took three weeks to complete her costume.
She added that week one was for conceptualisation, colours, texture and the synopsis of the character, whilst weeks two and three were the construction stage.
Brizan added that Tekel Sylvan did the wire bending for the costume and headpiece which was a lot of work, while she created the clouds and attached the individual beads to her costume.
She also applauded Debbie Marquis for sewing.
“I am very proud of myself too, as I designed my first costume but overall it remained a team effort.”
Brizan told AZPNews.com that her family always supported her 100% in all aspects of her life, fow which she was forever grateful.
Shining Star
When asked about any life philosophies, she said, “Always live in love.”
An advocate for what is right, Brizan described herself as a well-rounded young woman.
“I would stand up for right but, at the same time, I have understanding and sometimes prefer to keep peace with my warm and sensitive communications styles.”
Vision Ahead
Full of entrepreneurship, Brizan hopes to expand her stilt walking group to produce more mas.
“I want to become more involved in the production aspect, and produce young Moko’s to preserve the traditional mas.”
With a love for shoes, she also wants to open a sneakers’ store in the near future.
Brizan said, “Despite the current situation in T&T, I have great hope that things will get better.
“We will get back the sweet T&T and its people. So hold on, keep the faith, love one another and stop the hate.”
