A number of countries are celebrating Carnival

But with the current weak global economy, many have scaled back on the festivities.

Organisers in Dominica have been lamenting the poor attendance at many carnival events this year, while in Trinidad the party goes on.

BBC Caribbean got an insight from reporters Carlisle Jon-Baptiste in Roseau and Raymond Edwards in Port of Spain.

Listen to BBC Caribbean Magazine extract with Debbie Ransome

Is the financial crisis affecting your carnival?

• How best to make carnival affordable?
• Should organisers go back to 'traditional mas'?
• How do you plan to celebrate carnival this year?

Carnival in Trinidad means forgetting the state of the economy even if it cost $4000 for two days. Tomorrow will take care of itself most Trinidadians believe.
Janele Bernard, Port of Spain

I will not be coming home for Carnival this year due to the financial situation. Also, I find the costumes to be ridiculously expensive. The spirit of mas has been lost to commercialism, however the spirit can be recaptured by returning to "old value traditional mas".
Gloria Patterson
London, UK