Carnival In Antigua And Barbuda: A Cultural Extravaganza

Antigua's Carnival is an annual festival celebrating the emancipation of enslaved Africans in 1834. It is held in the streets surrounding St. John's, the capital of the island, and in Carnival City, located in the Antigua Recreation Ground. The festival features music, parades, beauty pageants, talent shows, and colourful costumes. It is considered the Caribbean's greatest summer festival and attracts many tourists.

History of Antigua Carnival

Antigua Carnival, also known as the Caribbean's greatest summer festival, is a celebration of emancipation from slavery. It is held annually in early August on the island of Antigua, with some events taking place on the neighbouring island of Barbuda. The festival begins in late July and ends on the first Tuesday in August, known as Carnival Tuesday. Both Carnival Monday and Tuesday are public holidays on the island.

The history of Antigua Carnival dates back to 1834 when enslaved Africans in Antigua and other British colonies were emancipated, per the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833. On August 1st, 1834, Antiguans took to the streets to celebrate their freedom. Over the years, this informal celebration of emancipation continued, with family reunions, picnics and small celebrations.

In the early to mid-1900s, before the official Carnival, Antigua held the Old Time Christmas Festival, a popular and culturally significant annual event. The festival included music and dance, with masquerades and iron bands featuring heavily. Many elements of the Old Time Christmas Festival are still seen in the modern-day Carnival, including steel band music and dance performances.

In 1953, a single-day carnival was organised as part of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation celebration. The success of this festival led to calls for an annual summertime festival. In 1957, John Ferdie Shoul (chairman of the carnival) and Maurice Ambrose (a builder and musician) worked together to create a plan for a Carnival that celebrated emancipation and served as a tourist attraction. On August 1st, 1957, Antigua celebrated its first official Carnival. The festival included a parade with floats, a Carnival Queen show and a Calypso competition. The 13-day format for the Antigua Carnival has remained the same ever since.

Music and dance

Calypso

Calypso music is central to Antigua's Carnival and many Caribbean carnivals. It is the oldest musical form featured during the Carnival, with roots in slavery. It is said that calypso began as a way for slaves, forbidden to speak in the fields, to communicate with each other. Calypso competitions have long been a highlight of the Carnival, with the Calypso Monarch competition being one of the most popular shows of the Carnival season.

Soca

Soca music is a more recent addition to the Carnival, with its origins in the 1970s. It combines the slower beat of American soul music with the upbeat tempos of calypso. Soca has gained popularity in Antigua and Barbuda, surpassing calypso. The Party Monarch competition is a soca competition and is the biggest and most well-attended show during the Carnival.

Steel Drum Music

Steel drum music, also known as steel pan, was created when the bamboo percussion instruments used to back up calypso were replaced by hammered steel pans cut from oil drums. Steel drum music has been an important part of the Carnival since its inception, and Antigua is home to some of the Caribbean's finest steel bands. The Panorama competition is a large event during the Carnival, where steel bands battle it out on the main stage.

Dance

Dance has always been an important part of the Carnival celebrations in Antigua. In the early 1900s, the Old Time Christmas Festival, which the modern-day Carnival replaced, featured dances such as the "highland fling", performed by people wearing Scottish kilts, masks made of wire, and bearing whips of cowhide. Other dances included the "John Bull", performed by dancers wearing banana leaves and animal horns, and the "Moko Jumbie", performed by stilt dancers in robes, accompanied by kettle and bass drums.

Today, the Carnival features many different types of mas', or masquerade, with participants dressed up in elaborate costumes. The costumed parades are known as "playing mas'" and are a highlight of the Carnival celebrations.

Costumes

The costumes featured at the carnival are as varied as the people who participate in the event. They range from simple and functional to elaborate and glitzy. Many are brightly coloured with rhinestones, gems, and other captivating features, but this isn't always the case. The designs and colours depend on the themes being portrayed by the various bands. Some traditional costumes to look out for include the Carnival Man, who dances on one foot and sways to the right.

If you want to take part in a costumed band, you have several options. Bands like Insane Carnival, Myst Carnival, Barefoot, and Fuze are among the most popular. Each band has its own theme and sections with unique costumes, and the experience is priced differently. A costume is typically required to join a carnival band in Antigua, and the price will vary depending on the band and the costume's complexity. The more elaborate the costume, the more you'll pay. Frontline and VIP costumes also tend to be more expensive.

The Antigua Carnival also includes a children's parade, where kids wear costumes portraying different themes from fairy tales.

Food and drink

One of the highlights of Antiguan cuisine is the island's national dish, fungee and pepperpot. Fungee is a cornmeal made from okra, while pepperpot is a hearty stew packed with island spices, meat, and firm vegetables. The combination of these two dishes creates a tropical flavour explosion. Another must-try dish in Antigua is ducana, a mixture of grated sweet potatoes and coconuts seasoned with spices, wrapped in a banana leaf, and steamed to perfection. Ducana is often served as a side dish, complementing the island's seafood specialties.

For those seeking a true taste of the Caribbean, Antigua offers conch in a variety of preparations. Fished from the warm waters of the island, conch is sweet and tender, with a texture similar to clams or calamari. It can be found in chowders, curries, ceviches, or battered and fried into fritters. A refreshing conch ceviche on a warm Antiguan day is a perfect choice.

The island also boasts a selection of unique snacks and treats. Tamarind balls, a traditional finger food, combine the flesh of the tamarind fruit with brown sugar, forming snack-sized balls that are then rolled in granulated sugar for an extra punch of sweetness. These sweet and sour treats are a perfect snack to enjoy while strolling along the white sandy beaches of Antigua.

In addition to the delectable dishes, Antigua is also home to local lager makers who put their unique spin on microbrews. These beers tend to be light and refreshing, perfect for enjoying on a warm day by the shore.

The Carnival itself also features food-related events, including food fairs that showcase the diverse and delicious cuisine of the island. From savoury dishes to sweet treats, Antigua's Carnival offers a culinary journey through the island's culture and history, making it a delightful experience for both locals and visitors alike.

Pageantry

Another notable pageant is the Jaycees Caribbean Queen Show, which has been taking place since the 1970s. This regional event includes participants from various Caribbean islands, including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. The contestants are judged on several categories, including interview, swimwear, talent, modelling, and evening wear.

The Antigua Carnival also features the Mr & Miss Teenage Pageant, which showcases the talents of teens from different secondary schools in Antigua. The participants compete in segments such as Best Interview, Uniform Evolution, Cultural Personality, Best Introduction Speech, and Best Performing Talent. The pageant provides a platform for young people to showcase their skills and gain exposure.

In addition to these pageants, the Carnival also includes the Jaycees Queen Show, a youth queen show pageant that is one of the most popular events in the Caribbean. The Antigua Carnival, with its pageants, beauty competitions, and talent showcases, offers a unique blend of tradition and celebration, honouring the island's culture and history while creating memorable experiences for both locals and visitors alike.

Frequently asked questions