Issue 20 All pages final

FEATURE

ANTIGUA CARNIVAL: THE RETURN OF THE CARIBBEAN’S GREATEST SUMMER FESTIVAL L ittle encapsulates the spirit of the Caribbean like carnival. Last summer, the country’s out of the city centre to ease traffic congestion were later overturned and the vibrant spectacle of T-Shirt Mas’, along with the main Carnival Monday and Tuesday parades, once again were – ahem – significantly less skimpy. Back then, plantation-style dresses, witches and skeletons, soldiers and majorettes were among the themes seen on the road. These days, despite the evolution to feathers, sequins and bikinis tiny

indefatigable, revelry-loving residents proved pandemic-related pauses on the festivities had done nothing to dampen their ardour. Late July and early August saw the welcome return of the hip-wiggling, joyous jamboree that remains an integral part of local culture. A couple of prime events were absent this year, such as the much-loved ‘Panorama’ steelpan contest, which was replaced by a series of smaller performances staged in backyards and other informal venues island-wide. But initial plans to move the parades

transformed the streets of St John’s into a kaleidoscopic display of colour and pageantry. Hallmark shows such as Party Monarch and Calypso Monarch – which see the nation’s musical stars compete for the crowns – also returned in all their upbeat glory. The earliest Carnival celebrations in Antigua and Barbuda took place almost 200 years ago to celebrate freedom from slavery. The festivities in their current form date back to 1957 when costumes

enough to make your grandmother faint in shock, many of the costumes are still painstakingly stitched by hand, setting Antigua Carnival apart from many of its Caribbean counterparts. Traditional ensembles like the ‘moko jumbie’ – a ghost or spirit that has its roots in Africa – could also be seen letting off steam along the route. n By Gemma Handy

Photos by Alex Rhodes

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