DATES FOR THE DIARY
F E STIVAL S
ISLAND RHYTHMS
These lesser-known Caribbean Carnivals are full of culture, colour and flair, involving everything from parades rooted in African-Irish tradition to glowing effigies set alight at dusk. Words: Mariette Williams
A flash of feathers, the shimmer of sequins, the scent of sizzling street food and the sounds of soca and steel pans pulsing through the streets. In the Caribbean, Carnival isn’t just seen, it’s felt — an immersive, high-energy experience which blurs the lines between performer and participant. The region is home to several world-
famous Carnivals that have boosted tourism across the islands and helped shape their collective global identity. One of the most iconic is Trinidad’s celebration, considered the mother of modern Caribbean Carnival, where thousands gather in Port of Spain for nonstop parties and a parade of elaborate costumes and floats.
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Meanwhile, the highlight of Barbados’ renowned Crop Over festival is Gran Kadooment, a vibrant road parade made all the more iconic by frequent appearances by Bajan superstar Rihanna. And at Grenada’s Spicemas, crowds gather before the sun rises for Jouvert, drawn to the Jab Jabs cloaked in black paint and horns, dragging chains in a powerful tribute to their enslaved ancestors. But beyond these heavy-hitters lies
a collection that’s just as rich in colour and vitality. Some are centuries-old, others more recent, but all offer a window into their respective island’s identity. Here are seven lesser-known events worth adding to your itinerary.
ANNUALLY FROM JANUARY (DATES TBA) Curaçao Carnival This is one of the Caribbean’s longest and most elaborate Carnivals. Held in the capital, Willemstad — known for its colourfully painted colonial buildings — the celebration weaves together Afro-Caribbean heritage with European influences. Highlights include The Grand Marcha, a dazzling daytime parade of feathers, sequins and floats, and the Marcha di Despedida (‘Farewell March’), a nighttime procession lit by glow-in-the-dark costumes and floats. The festival concludes with the symbolic burning of King Momo, a straw-filled effigy said to absorb the island’s sins.
curacao.com
ANNUALLY FROM JANUARY (DATES TBA) Guadeloupe Carnival Carnival in the Guadeloupe islands isn’t just an event, it’s a season, stretching from early January through to Ash Wednesday. Dozens of bands parade through the streets, each with its own sonic signature and elaborate costumes, from the goat- skin drumming Po bands to the flamboyant, float-riding Caisses Claires bands. Dancers twirl through the streets of Pointe-à-Pitre, while towering stilt-walkers, known as Moko Jumbies, sway high above the crowds, embodying a blend of West African and Caribbean folklore. The Carnival ends with the symbolic funeral of Vaval, the King of Carnival.
lesilesdeguadeloupe.com
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