Hey lovelies hope everyone is having a great week so far😊.
So I’m back with another carnival post….Yes I love carnival and its still carnival season😁. Carnival in some people’s eyes is all just about wearing the prettiest outfit and bomb ass makeup.
Carnival in the West Indies in recent times is dying mainly because of its commercialization. I see rappers coming to carnival to shoot their video in the midst of it all like wtf 😒…..using carnival as a prop… They have no clue what carnival is about. All they see is women in feathers.
Another major breakdown of Carnival culture is that everything is so sexualized. Thousands of years ago woman and men walked the Earth naked and it was who they were and it was understood. Today if people as much as see a cheek showing that woman is going to be belittled.
Carnival in the Caribbean and our African ancestors/traditional practices.
1. For those who don’t know, carnival is indeed of african roots. Our ancestors created carnival through a major celebration that they would practice after harvesting. Some of these Africans that were kidnapped and brought to the Caribbean did the same celebration after sugar cane harvesting was over.
2. Dress
Here’s why the feathers are so important. They have been used by our ancestors and African culture for thousands of years. They represent our ability to travel to another realm, overcome illnesses, bad situation, to be reborn, rise above trial and tribulations. It also represents spiritual growth.
3. Characters
The various characters such as stilts figures and Jankunu are exactly that of our ancestors and is still to this day being practiced. I personally love the Jonkunu. I always look foward to it. However in recent times it is so commercialized to the point where its now a photo op instead of I’m enlightened and appreciative by the meaning of this.
4. Dance
Our dance and style of parading is of our ancestors themselves. If you notice, we march and parade about in circles. That’s most of what we do. This is in fact a very ancient tradition where our ancestors would parade in circles with their costumes, masks and headdresses on throughout their villages to bring forth positive energy, good fortune and heal problems. The music is also a big part of carnival and African traditional musical instuments are key in producing amazing carnival music.
Im doing this because another major carnival celebration is just around the corner, Crop Over. For those who don’t know Crop Over is celebrated in Barbados and is held in the month of July. It is important that we understand what this celebration is all about.
Of course you know I had to show my fav in her Crop Over costumes for the past couple years.
Crop Over 2015
Crop Over 2013
Crop Over 2011
Before you go feel free to share your thoughts below☺.
Xo
Pic credit: google
I learned something new! Great post! #BLMGIRL
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Glad u did…thank you ☺
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Great piece! Good job on #s 1 and 2.
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Reblogged this on msamba.
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Thank you
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Omg yaaassss girl! Carnival has been on my list forever! I always seem to keep missing it. Your post has made me want to go for sure!
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Lol thats what I’m here for….Its not too late for Crop Over ☺
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Thanks for sharing this post, I wanted to know more about this and I was highly informed. I would love to go and experience this it seems so fun and lively.
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Thats great I’m glad the article helped you dear ☺
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Guuurl! Riri’s my fave too!! 💁🏽😍 and I’ve learnt something new too! Thanks for sharing!
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People often forget the history behind our traditions in the diaspora. Thanks for reminding us that our ancestors live through us. #BLMGirl
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My pleasure thanks fa reading ☺ x
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Wow…thanks for the education on Carnival. I’ve always been mesmerized by the dance and beautiful attire but never really understood the meaning behind it until now.
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This was very informative! I never knew the significance behind the feathers and dancing in circles. Also, I’ve seen dancers on stilts at the Universoul Circus here in Atlanta, but didn’t know that had Caribbean origins. Great read!
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This was REALLY helpful, especially the part where you explained the history behind the costumes and dancing. I’ve never gone to Carnival and probably had some bias opinions about the events but this totally opened my eyes. Now I’m compelled to experience it at least once!
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Nice!! I love how well versed you are with your culture, it’s really impressive!!
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I’ll love to know your thoughts on my recent post, please check it out!
https://lagoscitychic.blogspot.com.ng/2017/05/monochrome-addiction.html
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Thanks hun….sure will
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Wowww …. Nice one 🙌👍👍👍
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Thank you ☺
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I learnt something new!! Thank you so much for sharing
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Here in the North in Helsinki, Finland, we have Carnival (Samba Carnival) also every summer.
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ALL THE YEEESSSSSS!!!!!! To this post ! I haveee to make it to crop over next year. I’m still trying to figure out how I can do Caribana this year lol I’m from Belize. We aren’t part of the West Indies so no BIG carnival but my people have African ties of course and we have our own celebrations and Jankunu. Girllll I love carnival lol
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Oh I love Belize have a friend that’s from over there…..Love the Kriol its similar to Patois so i understand for the most part 😊….
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Oo awesomeee! Yes its very similar
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