Vibrant Rhythms and Vivid Hues - Everything You Need To Know About Caribbean Carnivals

Carnival in the Caribbean is distinct from European Carnival traditions and should be appreciated for its unique traits and festivities. Each island's Carnival offers a myriad of events, each with its own distinctive character and timing.

For instance, Carnival begins in May in the Bahamas and in June in Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Steel band competitions, such as those in Saint Lucia, showcase the unique melodies of the steel pan. In Trinidad, participants might find themselves coated in chocolate and mud during J'ouvert, while Jamaica dazzles with its glittering costumes.

Despite these variations, the core of Carnival remains consistent: a time for festivity, music, and uninhibited celebration, where islands transform into a whirlwind of colours and sounds. 

Getting the vocabulary right is essential to fully immerse yourself in the Carnival experience. During and leading up to Carnival, you'll hear a number of terms thrown around and learning what a few of them mean will help you fit right in!

Mas

Short for "masquerade," this term refers to the costume and parade aspect of Carnival.

Playing Mas

This means dancing through the streets in a costumed carnival band.

Jump (up)

Kadooment

It means to dance, revel, enjoy, and masquerade in a crowd, usually to soca or calypso music. Kadooment Day in Barbados is also known as Jump Up Day.

J'ouvert or Foreday Morning Jam

This is the early morning street party marking the start of Carnival in Barbados.

Bacchanal

A term used to describe the wild, energetic, and chaotic nature of Carnival.

Wine/Wining

A type of dance involving the rhythmic movement of the hips.

Liming

The Caribbean term for hanging out and socialising with friends.

It’s undeniable - music and dance are the heartbeat of Carnival. The streets pulse with the rhythms of soca, calypso, and steel pan. 

• Soca, originating from Trinidad and Tobago, drives the energetic dancing known as "wining," a hip-moving dance that embodies the character of carnival. 

• Calypso, especially the social commentary sub-genre, with its witty lyrics and storytelling, provides a melodic narrative of Caribbean life. 

• Bashment Soca, a distinctly Bajan sound that fuses Soca with Jamaican dancehall, dominates the Crop Over celebrations, bringing a high-energy beat that embodies the spirit of the festival.

Competitions

Spirited calypso and soca competitions take centre stage at Crop Over. Crowns such as: Junior Monarch, Pic-o-de Crop Calypso Monarch, Sweet Soca Monarch, Party Monarch, Bashment Soca Winner, Tune of the Crop (Road March), and People’s Monarch, were once competed for.

Now, in the 50th year, calypsonians compete for Pic-o-de Crop, Tune of the Crop, People’s Choice, and Junior Monarch titles.

The crowning of the Calypso Monarch is a highlight of Crop Over and the judging criteria for the Monarchs in all singing competitions, except the People’s Monarch and Tune of the Crop, includes lyrics, melody, delivery, and props. The calypsonian who scores the highest number of points wins the crown, bragging rights, and a cash or vehicle prize.

Tuk Bands

When you hear the iron band, the ting of a triangle, the ping of the brass wheel, or the beautiful penny whistle accompanied by drums, it is none other than the Tuk band, an especially unique tradition of the Crop Over. 

The steel pan, or "pan," is a unique instrument made from steel drums, essential to the vibrant sound of steel bands. During Carnival, the Tune of the Crop in Barbados, more commonly called the "Road March" in other territories, is the song played most frequently by bands in the parade as they pass the “hidden” judging points. These songs usually embody the festival's spirit and set the procession's tempo, and must be by a local performer.

Jamming and Flagging

Jamming, or dancing closely in large, spirited crowds to soca, is a hallmark of Carnival. "Flagging," where participants wave flags or rags to the music's beat, adds to the festive atmosphere. In soca and calypso, "call and response" engages audiences with interactive musical exchanges, creating a dynamic and inclusive carnival experience.

If there’s one thing that Barbados is known for, second only to its music, it has to be the delicious food. An essential part of the Crop Over festival, all the food cooked and served showcases the rich culinary heritage of Barbados, offering a true taste of Bajan culture. Here are some of the traditional dishes you can expect to enjoy:

Cou Cou and Flying Fish

Cou cou and flying fish, often served at Cou Cou Village hosted by the Spiritual Baptist, is Barbados' national dish. Cou cou is made from cornmeal and okra, cooked together to form a smooth, creamy consistency, while flying fish is seasoned and fried or steamed, then served in a savoury gravy.

Macaroni Pie

Macaroni pie is a Bajan take on baked macaroni and cheese. This dish features macaroni noodles mixed with a rich, cheesy sauce, often spiced with mustard and pepper, then baked until golden and crispy on top.

Pudding and Souse

Pudding and souse is a traditional Saturday meal in Barbados. The pudding is made from grated sweet potatoes seasoned and steamed, while souse is pickled pork, typically made from the pig’s head, feet, and ears, marinated in a mixture of lime juice, cucumbers, onions, and parsley.

Fish Cakes

Fish cakes are a popular street food during Crop Over. These savoury treats are made from salted codfish mixed with flour, herbs, and spices, then deep-fried to a golden brown. They are often served with a tangy Bajan pepper sauce.

Ackees (Gunips)

Ackees, also known as gunips, are a seasonal tropical fruit enjoyed during the festival. These small, green fruits have a slightly tart flavour and are eaten by cracking open the shell and sucking out the juicy flesh.

Snocone

Snocones are a refreshing treat perfect for the hot Crop Over season. These shaved ice treats are drizzled with colourful, flavoured syrups, providing a sweet and cooling snack to enjoy while taking in the festivities.

And if you can’t join us here in Barbados, take a look at our favourite Bajan recipes  to recreate the taste of the Caribbean at home! 

The lively festival culminates on the first Monday of August, in the spectacular finale of Grand Kadooment Day. Also known as Jump Up Day, it’s a non-stop celebration with no breaks - not even for lunch!

Band leaders often serve breakfast to patrons, compliments of their sponsors, before the “jump up” begins. The bands, including revellers, music trucks, A/C trucks, and drinks trucks, proceed along closed roads and streets, culminating at The Mighty Grynner Highway, previously known as the Spring Garden Highway.

A highlight of Grand Kadooment is its conclusion at a beach, allowing participants and spectators to enjoy the festivities by the sea. And in the aftermath of Grand Kadooment, the celebration continues with a slew of Rewind and ‘Farewell Crop Over’ parties and cruises, extending from the evening of Kadooment Day until the following weekend.

These events provide a final opportunity for revellers to celebrate the end of Crop Over in style, making the festival’s finale an unforgettable experience.

Crop Over is an explosion of Bajan culture and heart that you have to experience at least once in your lifetime. Whether you’re drawn to the music, the costumes, the food, or the sheer energy of the festivities, Carnival offers something for everyone, and each island has its unique twist. And the beauty is that even when Carnival ends, the warm and welcoming communities, aromatic flavours in food, and lively music, are all constants across the Caribbean. There’s never a dull moment!

There is so much to see and do, and if you’d like to know more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today. 

Image Credit: Kristopher Streek

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