West Indian day parade’s solo Haitian mas band envisions new future

By Michelle Nurse Last updated Nov 14, 2018

A costume design from Banboche Mas — the first Haitian mas camp set to participate at the West Indian American Day parade. (Photo by Stefano Giovannini via Caribbean Life)

(Caribbean Life) The West Indian American Day Carnival parade’s solo Haitian masquerade group, will make its debut at the annual Labor Day pageantry next month. The Crown Heights-based Banboche Mas Camp is the newest organization that will represent the French-Creole speaking nation in the parade. As one of the youngest camps, the group recently launched a weekly fund-raiser leading up to the big event in an effort to raise funds to support the band’s expenses. At the launch kickoff on Aug. 10, the band was able to earn some support, and introduce themselves to new registrants, said co-founder of the band.

“It went pretty well — we didn’t raise a lot but it went as we thought and we’ve got some more eyes on the group and two new sign ups,” said Andrew Vieux.

Currently they are still accepting sponsorship from local businesses, interested in getting behind the group and their mission.

Vieux and three of his friends officially created the camp last year after realizing at several previous parades, a customary and Haitian carnival tradition did not always translate well and caused some aggressive interactions because of shoving and pushing. He also noticed that Haiti was underrepresented with mas camps and figured with more of a mas camp presence, a bigger avenue to showcase Haitian culture could reduce tense encounters.