Summary
Carnival’s Origins and Significance
Carnival in the Caribbean has a complicated birthright, tied to colonialism, religious conversion, and ultimately freedom and celebration. The festival originated with Italian Catholics in Europe and later spread to the French and Spanish, who brought the pre-Lenten tradition when they settled and introduced slavery to Trinidad, Dominica, Haiti, Martinique, and other islands. Carnival itself is thought to mean “farewell to meat” or “farewell to flesh,” referencing the Catholic practice of abstaining from red meat from Ash Wednesday until Easter. This phrase embodies the sensuous abandon that defines the Caribbean celebration of the holiday.
What to Expect During Carnival Week
Carnival is not limited to a single day or just the grand Mas parades. Each island celebrates Carnival in its unique style; typically, you can expect a week-long celebration that features:
- Concerts (steel pan, soca, reggae, etc.)
- Cultural events
- Private parties
- Street festivals
Key highlights include the vibrant jouvert, the coronation of a Carnival king and queen, dance and costume contests, and a joyful children’s parade.
Choosing the Right Carnival
Carnival is celebrated across the Caribbean; while Trinidad’s Carnival is the most known and largest, there are other exciting celebrations worth experiencing, such as Vincy Mas in St. Vincent and Crop Over in Barbados. Many Carnival festivities occur just before Lent and the Easter season, but you can find a Caribbean Carnival happening on some island nearly every month of the year.
Importance of Early Bookings
For most Caribbean islands, Carnival is the party of the year, attracting not just visitors but also expatriates returning home from around the globe to celebrate with loved ones. Therefore, it is essential to secure your flights and accommodations early, particularly if you plan to participate in the grand festivities in Trinidad.
Watching vs. Participating in Carnival
Once you’ve arranged your flight and accommodations, attending Carnival on the majority of Caribbean islands is fairly straightforward: just arrive for the parade and festivities to join in the fun. In some locations—most notably Trinidad—tourists can dress up and join the Carnival jouvert and mas parades. However, these experiences can be costly; costumes and tickets can reach several hundreds of dollars. For the most authentic Carnival experience, it is advisable to reserve your costume early and join one of the vibrant Trinidad Mas Bands.
Even if you can’t participate in the Monday or Tuesday Mas, there are numerous pre-Carnival parties in Trinidad that rival the official events in excitement and energy, including those hosted by cricket star Brian Lara and the newer LIME fete at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain.
Preparing for an Unforgettable Experience
To ensure your Carnival experience is enjoyable and safe, some planning, along with common sense, is essential. Parade participants must prepare for a long day on the road, while everyone should be mindful of controlling alcohol consumption and maintaining safe practices throughout the festivities.
