Chargers Gates Hits Trinidad Carnival-J'Ouvert 2013 - Pro Player Insiders Executive Editor Melissa Mahler

Different parts of the world celebrate “Carnival” in many different ways. For Charger’s Antonio Gates wife, Sasha, chose to celebrate Carnival with her Dolling Hair and Foundation crew in the way of their bloodlines, their roots, The Trinidad Carnival way. A tradition that dates all the way back to the late 18th century, it brought together whites and the free coloured staging masquerade balls at Christmas and as a “farewell to the flesh” before Lent seasons celebrated by the Catholic community, which each group having fun of the other by song and dance without repercussion or penalty. The West African slaves as well as the free coloureds, they carried an additional tradition of harvesting and burning of sugar cane which they called “cannes brulees or Canboulay.”

After the emancipation of slaves in 1838, Canboulay became a symbol of Freedom and Defiance. Today, the most modern of this celebrations is called J’Ouvert, which still holds the original Carnival traditions in masking and traditions. Sasha, locals and visitors from all sides of the world lose embrace J’Ouvert with costumes made up of mud, oil, body paint and even chocolate. Mrs. Gates was accompanied by her Dolling Foundation team and rocked her fabulous Dolling Hair Extensions to complete their looks. Attendees celebrate with dancing to the loud and hypnotizing sounds of drums and rhythmic beats reach deep into the soul and the full embrace of the J’Ouvert festival.

Gates feels at home with her Trinadaian roots in full bloom.

Below Sasha shares her phot journal of her trip personally with NFL fans as a Pro Player Insider: