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Grenada Celebrates its Heritage with Annual CarnivalEdited By Madelyn Miller, The Travellady
Grenada’s annual Carnival is a one-week celebration that encompasses the island’s French and African traditions. Visitors and residents parade alongside costumed revelers by day and join in street jump-ups at night. During the latter portion of the Parade of the Bands, visitors are allowed to take part in a ‘Las Lap’ jump-up with hundreds of masqueraders parading through the streets of Grenada. The tradition of Carnival began hundreds of years ago in Italy when Catholics held wild costume parties before the first day of Lent. Traditionally, during Lent, Catholics were forbidden to eat meat so the festival was called “carnevale,” meaning “put away meat.” This tradition quickly spread to other European countries that brought it to the Caribbean. During the days of slavery, Carnival became a way by which slaves could openly mock their colonial masters.
Steel drum music is an integral part of Grenada’s Carnival celebration. This music dates back to 1941, and uses the surface of a steel drum made concave and beaten to make musical notes. The steel drum is often heard in calypso music, which can be traced back to the arrival of African slaves brought to work in the sugar plantations of Trinidad (Grenada). Forbidden to speak to one another, the African slaves began to sing songs, now called calypsos, as a means of communication. Soca is a similar form of music that remains intensely popular in the Caribbean. Soca is Caribbean dance music originating in the West Indies. The word ‘Soca’ comes from the words “soul” and “calypso” showing the music's roots as a blend of American soul music and Caribbean calypso. Many notable bands are scheduled to perform throughout Grenada’s Spicemas Carnival 2006. Apart from the Panorama, and Soca Monarch Competition, which are held days prior to the actual Carnival holidays, the event schedule for 2006 is as follows: Sunday August 6th: Wednesday August 7th: Sunday, August 13th, 2006 Monday, August 14th, 2006 Pageant – This event features the fancy bands and costumes, with masqueraders parading through the streets of St. George's to the chosen venue for judging. Monday Nite Mas – This event in St. George's begins around 8:00 p.m. The night bands parade through the streets of the capital city together with steel bands and supporters. Tuesday, August 15th, 2006 For more information, contact the Grenada Board of Tourism at 1-800-927-9554 or visit www.spicemasgrenada.com or www.grenadagrenadines.com. BEST WAY TO GET THERE AIR JAMAICA GRENADA BOARD OF TOURISM BEST TOURS WHERE TO STAY in GRENADA SPICE ISLAND BEACH RESORT BLUE HORIZONS COTAGE HOTEL BEST SOUVENIRS Grenada Chocolate River Rum (75% alcohol) Nutmeg Dick Wine WHERE TO EAT Oliver’s La Belle Creole Belmont Estate KNOW BEFORE YOU GO CLIMATE MONEY ELECTRICITY HANDICRAFT POPULATION The Creole specialties, freshly-caught seafood and international favorites are often flavored with island-grown spices and regularly complemented by stirring island rhythms. GREAT GUIDEBOOK McKennas Guide to Caribbean Beers SPEAK LIKE A NATIVE Madelyn Miller is a writer and web entrepreneur who contributes to www.travellady.com, www.carladynews.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com |
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Grenada issues a special invitation to all visitors to join
the party from August 6th - 15th when Grenada hosts Carnival 2006. This annual
event, which features Calypso and Soca Monarch competitions, Panorama
Championship, and a masquerader competition, is undoubtedly Grenada’s most
popular and influential summer festival.
The costumes worn during Carnival have a much deeper
meaning than one might first think. Parading through the streets in costumes and
masks is an African tradition believed to bring good fortune, heal problems and
help settle the spirits of friends and family members that have passed away.
Feathers represent a human’s ability to rise above problems, pain, heartbreak
and illnesses, while natural objects like bones, grass, beads and shells
represent a spiritual force.