Caribbean Carnivals Glossary

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Caribbean carnivals or Caribbean carnivals are known for being a colorful style of partying. Caribbean Carnival is one of the most joyful and varied carnival expressions around the world that has a lot of elements and characteristics that are sometimes difficult to understand. These types of expressions can be applied in each of the Caribbean islands and many other cities around the world that have included Caribbean-style celebrations in their carnival season. Many of these terms are directed at elements that make up the carnival. However, we will also include musical elements, historical carnival characters, types of music, types of dances and many other components of Caribbean Carnival or Caribbean Carnival.

We walk you through some of the terms you will surely need to know for your next carnival vacation.

Dances

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During Caribbean carnival festivities, there are various manifestations that are expressed through dancing. Some of these expressions have been the result of various urban expressions that have modernized ways of interpreting music. In the vast majority of Caribbean islands and Caribbean-themed carnivals such expressions can be found in dance.

 

What is Jump Up?

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The Jump Up or Jump-Up also refers to a subgenre of drum and bass. It is one of the most traditional movements of Caribbean carnivals, especially during large presentations musical performances. During these pieces, people dance following the rhythm of the musical piece.

 

What is Dutty Wine?

The Dutty Wine, also known as Wine or Whining, is a dance that originated in Jamaica and is the most popular type of dance during Caribbean carnivals, especially in parades or musical performances. Wine is mainly performed by women and consists of moving the hips in circles. It is a provocative dance that is usually accompanied by rubbing one’s butt against a person’s crotch.

 

Entertainment

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What is Bacchanal?

It is a term derived from the Greek god of wine, known as Bacchus. Its name is associated with lewd behavior, unrestrained and frenzied. However, it could also be associated with a complete state of drunkenness. Bacchanal is used in the context of Carnival to describe the wild behavior and hysteria surrounding uninhibited celebration and behavior. In some countries the term “Bacchanal Week”, which implies a week of madness and revelry, is applied.

 

What are Mas Bands?

It’s short for masqueraders. It is a group that you join to dance or celebrate. Within the bands or Bands, two types can be highlighted: The traditional Band with traditional Caribbean carnival characters such as the Jab Jabs and the Band Mas colorful with bold ensembles. Many Bandas, especially the Mas Bands, are the result of months of planning with designers to create costumes that debut in an entertaining parade accompanied by music and crazy dancing.

 

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What is Brass Band?

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It is a term used to describe any group that is not playing themetal drums, characteristic instruments of Caribbean carnivals, which are originally from Trinidad and Tobago. These bands are composed mainly of metal instruments such as trumpet, trombone, euphonium and other similar instruments. These bands may accompany the Bandas Mas or J’ouvert performances.

 

What is the Calypso Monarch?

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The Calypso Monarch, in English Calypso Monarch, is a term attributed to the winner of the Calypso Monarch competition. These competitions are held during carnivals. During this competition, various calypso artists compete through characteristic calypso rhythms to win the competition. These types of competitions are held by various Caribbean countries.

 

What is Caribana?

The Caribana is the name attributed to Caribbean-themed carnival celebrations in Canada. In addition, the term Carifiesta can also be applied.

 

What is the Canboulay or Cannes Brulées?

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The Canboulay is the precursor of the modern carnival of Trinidad and Tobago. In addition, it is the festival that also initiated the Calypso. In its beginnings, it was aharvest festival that contemplated diverse cultural elements such as singing, percussion and dancing. After emancipation, Canboulay became one of the most important movements of expression for the working population and ex-slaves.

What is a Fete?

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Fetes or Fete are festivals held during the carnival season. Generally, these fetes feature some theme in particular. These themes are as varied as the imagination itself, as they can be boat parties, pool parties, pijamadas, breakfast parties, foam, All White and many other alternatives. The fetes are always animated with live music, DJs and many other elements.

 

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What is the J’ouvert?

The J’ouvert is one of the most traditional expressions of the Caribbean Carnival or Caribbean Carnivals. Generally, it is a celebration that occurs early in the morning or from midnight until the early morning of the following day. In addition, the celebration is accompanied by battles of paint, dirt, talcum powder, water and even chocolate. Some people wear costumes during the J’ouvert, while others attend in casual clothes or clothes they don’t mind getting dirty. The Jab Jab is one of the characters that can be found here and generally wears horns, chains and his entire body painted black or with charcoal and molasses.

Besides being a fun event, the J’ouvert is a symbol of expression and freedom. Because slaves were not allowed to celebrate carnival festivities, they performed small ceremonies and rituals in private places. Once emancipation was achieved, the J’ouvert was one of the expressions that emerged during this historical period. The J’ouvert is an act of freedom, the first free expressions of the ex-slaves.

 

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What is the Last Lap?

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It is one of the expressions used for the final celebrations of the carnival. It usually features a big party where everyone parties with great animosity and frenzy. It is usually the last celebration before the total closing of the carnivals.

 

What are Steel Pans?

It is a name given to the speel pan or steel drum. The Spanish name for this type of instrument is Tambores Metálicos or Tambores Metálicos de Trinidad and Tobago. As the name suggests, the drums are originally from the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. This type of instrument is made from the containers of oil and have been part of countless pieces ofCaribbean rhythms. Today, metal drums are the main instruments used for Caribbean festivals and are also part of international competitions.

 

What is the Panorama?

Also known as Pan-O-Rama. The Panorama, in the context of Caribbean carnival, is a grandiose competition of artists and bands playing metal drums. Although this is a big event in Trinidad and Tobago, this type of event also takes place in several Caribbean islands and other Caribbean festivals.

Every year, during carnivals, this type of event is held to award the title of winner to the band or artist with the best performance with the instrument. Today, it is one of the events with the highest participation and is one of the most awaited by all spectators.

 

 

What is Playing Mas?

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Playing Mas is the action of actively participating in carnival parades. Generally, this type of event includes hundreds of people dressed up in incredible colorful costumes. In addition, the whole celebration is set with incredible Caribbean music and drinks.

 

What is the Road March?

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The Road March is a musical composition used for parades in places where there are courts. Every year and in several Caribbean islands and Caribbean Carnivals, this type of event is held, as the Mas Bands compete against each other for the title of best band of the year. A panel of judges evaluates the bands through various components including costumes, music, ambiance and enjoyment of the participants.

 

What is a Tent?

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Tent, or tienda in Spanish, is the venue where music competitions take place during carnivals. Generally, this is where the Calypso Monarch and Panorama battles take place. In addition, all kinds of musical contests are also held within the facilities of these tents, better known as tent.

 

Music

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Music is par excellence, the main component of the Caribbean carnival celebrations. Over the years, various genres and subgenres have developed to accompany the festivities.

 

Calypso

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Calypso is par excellence the musical genre used in Caribbean parties. This type of music is originally from Trinidad and Tobago, although it can also be found in other countries of the Antilles, Colombia, Panama and Venezuela. It usually integrates the Trinidad and Tobago Metal Drums, trumpets, trombones, flutes, saxophone, bongos and maracas. However, several countries may use other types of instruments to accompany pieces, such as the Cuatro instrument used to accompany musical pieces in Venezuela.

 

Chutney

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The Chutney is a blend of Bhojpuri music and traditional Caribbean rhythms. This genre emerged in the mid-1920s, but did not become popular until the end of the century. In addition, it initially had a more religious meaning and was sung mainly by women, although today it is somewhat more varied and less focused on religion. This type of musical pieces can be found mainly in the southern Caribbean and some South American countries.

 

Extempo

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Extempo is a subgenre of calypso that can be found especially inTrinidad and Togago and Granda. This type of pieces is characterized as a form of music resulting from the improvisation of lyrics from the original calypso. In this way, the person performing these pieces improvise the sounds and the letters. Furthermore, it is mainly used for competitions and the authors are judged on the wit and creativity of the songs.

 

Reggae

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Reggae is one of the best known genres worldwide. During carnivals, this genre is the one that stands out in the streets of Jamaica. However, other countries of the Caribbean have also acquired the custom of performing this genre.

 

Soca

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Soca Soca is another of the characteristic rhythms of the Caribbean carnival. This genre comes from a play on words of Soul and Calypso. This genre comes from Trinidad and Tobago and emerged in the early 1970s. These pieces are accompanied by instruments such as trumpets, trombones, saxophones, synthesizers and vocals.

 

 

Metal drums

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Metal drums are instruments originating from Trinidad and Tobago. These instruments are made from oil barrels. The barrels are cut at the bottom and then shaped into bowls. After this, they are polished and tuned so that they have the characteristic sound to elaborate the musical pieces of the carnival parties.

 

Traditional Carnival Characters

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As in many other Carnival festivals around the world, the Caribbean also has many traditional characters that can be seen reflected in many Caribbean islands. These characters have emerged fromhistorical characters or representations of certain social sectors, as well as immigrants, aborigines and natives. In addition, they have also been used as vehicles of expression against the powerful elite that kept people enslaved. There are also characters that have been satirized from the works of the Commedia dell’Arte, a theatrical expression originated in Italy that has become popular in the rest of Europe.

 

Baby Dolls

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The person playing this character portrays a person in colorful clothes with dress and cap. In his hands he carries a doll symbolizing a baby. During parades, he or she stops male passersby and accuses them of being the baby’s father. Although this character is considered extinct in Trinidad and Tobago, in other countries of the Caribbean some similar versions can be seen as the “Se Me Muere Rebeca” in the carnivals of Dominican Republic..

 

Bats

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The Bats, or bat in singular, means bats. This character usually wears black or brown in a costume that completely covers his body. The costume integrates several elements such as eyes, fangs, cape and of course, wings.

 

Bookman

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This character is also known as Gownman. Ruler or simply devil. As indicated by the name, he represents the lord of darkness: The Devil. This character is the main figure of some secondary devils, also known as diablitos. In addition, his presence has musical accompaniment and dances during the parades.

The person who plays this character wears bloomers or Tudor-style pants. In addition, his clothes are decorated with velvet and some sequins. On his head he has some markings and small horns. The character always has a big book and a pen to write down all the names of the souls that will be sent to the devil.

 

Burrokeet

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The burrokeet features a costume that gives the impression of a dancer riding a donkey. The character who plays the character features period costumes and a hat. His presence is accompanied by a musical piece as in the case of Venezuela with La Burriquita.

 

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Clowns

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Clowns are probably the most common costume at carnival time. The costume can vary a bit depending on the preferences of the person performing this character. However they have general characteristics such as big shoes, red nose, colorful or untidy wig, colorful clothes and the face painted white.

 

Cow Bands

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This is a group of people dressed as cows. This costume dates back to the time of Canboulay and was personified by the employees of the slaughterhouse. The traditional costume is made with a brown or beige sack to which were glued dried banana leaves and a mask with horns. In addition, they went in groups and accompanied by a torero or a matador. Today, the costume is somewhat more elaborate and can count on several colors.

 

Dame Lorraine

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La Dame Lorraine is a person who had been played by the French planters of the 18th and 19th century. The people who played this character wore elegant clothes, similar to the aristocratic clothes of the French, which they wore at their parties and celebrations. The slaves made these costumes with rags and imitation jewelry. In addition, the costume is accompanied with fans and sombrillas. Also, the physical appearance of these characters is exaggerated, since the area of the bust and butt has padding to highlight their attributes.

For several years, these characters have been performing dance pieces that have been changing over time.

 

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Dragon

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This is a person who personifies a dragon. In some occasions, the character can count of several heads and with costumes of green color or of elements that resemble a reptile. In addition, he represents good and evil and his presence is accompanied by some musical pieces.

 

Indians

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These costumes are the representation of the natives of North America. Their costumes are quite impressive and colorful and feature feather headdresses and clothing with symbols and patterns. The Indian has several subcategories, some of these are no longer used today. In addition, his performance may be accompanied by dance pieces.

Jab Jab

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Although his name means devil, his personality is more akin to that of a joker. Generally, he features blue or red clothing. However, some people simply have shorts and the rest of their body is painted with the color of their choice. Generally, the characters possess horns, tridents and whips. During parades, they make something of a fuss and playfully tease passers-by.

 

Jab Molassie

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The Jab Molassie is a version of the Jab Jab. In addition to having the features of conventional Jab Jabs, such as tridents, these can carry large horns or even skull-shaped masks. In addition, their body is entirely painted black, as the color is the result of a mixture of charcoal or ashes with molasses. Some people also employ the use ofburnt oil. The character may also wear chains on his body.

 

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Midnight Robber

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Also known as midnight robber. It is a character that simulates a cowboy, although this one has a painted face, resembling a skeleton. The person who personifies this character usually puts into practice the “Robber Talk”. The Robber Talk is a type of rhythmic narrative in which heroic deeds of the character are told. In addition, it may cover topics such as history, religion or mythology. Likewise, the character may also make use of triddles, metaphors or play of words.

 

Minstrels

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The Minstrels, minstrels in Spanish, are popular characters who perform musical pieces. They usually have painted faces and striped clothing. In addition, their performances may be accompanied by some dancing.

 

Moko Jumbie

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This is a dancer on large stilts. Their costumes are colorful and they are usually seen dancing or strutting during parades or events. The stilt walkers can reach a length of about 3 meters. In ancient times, it was believed that the height of stilt walkers was associated with the ability to foresee evil more quickly that would befall the common man.

 

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Pierrot Grenade

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It is a character that symbolizes the Pierrot of the Commedia dell’Arte. He is a jester who wears colorful clothes and on some occasions may wear hats or masks. In some societies and parties, the Pierrot Grenade uses satire and humor to attack some political personalities or celebrities.