'The Americans may save pan, not us'

". . . maybe the Americans will do it. Maybe the Japanese will; my whole thing in this life is for the pan to be safe and I don't mind much who does it. Because it's so expensive and because the times and the requirements of the masquerader have changed, pan would have to re-invent itself if it is to become relevant to Carnival as we know it today."

"Carnivals of yesteryear allowed you to be a king for a day; now you're a beautiful body for a day. That kind of role transformation, role-to some extent, gender - exchange, is part of the ethos of Carnival."

"We had Independence wished upon us long before the preparatory work in a multicultural, polyglot place like this [was done]. Those issues were never identified, let alone articulated, let alone solved."

Pat Bishop in a fascinating conversation with B.C. Pires in today's Trinidad Express. It's possible that none of it will make sense to you unless you're from the Caribbean, but you never know.

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