Nudity cannot be regulated by Gov’t, Festival Minister says

By Staff

Minister responsible for National Festivals, Daryl Matthew said that the Government cannot regulate morality amid  growing concerns about nudity during Carnival celebrations.

During a press conference held at the Ministry of Creative Industries and Innovation Head Office Thursday morning, Matthew shared he believes that it is the personal responsibility of revellers to choose what is deemed appropriate behaviour

“The members of society who are the ones going around nude, they are asking the government to put rules in place so that they can’t do it. You cannot legislate morality like that. Yes, it is a growing concern for me.”

Matthew, who openly stated he was once affiliated with a popular local mas troupe also said he is now sometimes “disgusted” at the way in which some participants choose to dress and behave during the parades.

“I am wondering, can we even take our children to these parades sometimes. It is not only the attire, but the behaviour but it cannot be the same society that is complaining about behaiour that is buying costumes two sizes too small.”

These remarks have addressed ongoing debates via social media where residents continue to  voice their opinions on the mode of dress at recent pre-carnival fetes.

Other local groups such as the Christian Council have been against the trend of wearing little clothing during Carnival events for several years.

Matthew has encouraged young women and girls to carry themselves in a decent manner, reminding individuals that there are onlookers of all walks of life.

“When I see the way some of our women behave on the road, I wonder what the other races think about us when they see our women behaving like this and that’s the question we need to ask because primarily it’s our women. Yes, they are beautiful, the costumes are beautiful but the behaviour could be a little better and the costumes could be a bit more appropriately sized.”

The Minister with responsibility for Culture went further to discuss national pride as residents in a majority Black country.

“We need to really think about how we see ourselves as residents, citizens and as Black women. I don’t want anyone to say I don’t love Black women, I love you all to death but I want us to carry ourselves like the queens we say we are and not just selectively.”

Meanwhile, Director of National Festivals Petley O’Keiffe added that security is paramount to a successful Antigua Carnival 2024. So far, the Festivals Commission has begun putting certain safety measures in place including a boost from the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, street lighting in St. John’s City and is prepared to increase surveillance to have another year of “incident-free” festivities.

“Although we cannot control what is being worn, we are trying to make it safe, secure, have lighting there, we are looking to invest in cameras with lights, etc. so that we can help to make it a safe event for our revellers.”

Antigua’s Carnival ‘The Greatest Summer Festival’ is scheduled from July 27 to August 8.