Developed over the entire Caribbean region in one form or another, it was often considered a pagan celebration with the devil mass or "Jab-Jab" portraying slavery in chains and the asking of money to the buy freedom.
In Carriacou, Carnival is a pre-Lenten celebration starting the weekend before Ash Wednesday. Sunday night is called Can-boulay meaning "burning wood".
In the old days cornstalks were burned as a bonfire to create lighting for night time Kalenda stick-fighting. "Pierrots", a prominent figure in our Carnival, originated from disguised entertainers during French colonialism.
Their roles have evolved over the generations to roving bands competing between their villages/plantations in literature reciting, mostly Shakespeare.
Today Shakespeare Mas competitors pair off face to face; one recites while the other listens. Missed lines are rewarded with a stroke from a rod, but colorful, heavily padded and masked head dresses offer protection and the flowing paper lined capes add theatrical loud noises when the stick hits its mark. This event is unique to Carriacou and is a must to see on Tuesday morning. Troops start from Mt Royal and make their way down through the villages performing, stopping for rum in between rounds, until the event culminates in Hillsborough for the final showdown. A lively calypso competition, Dimarche Gras, on Sunday night lasts until the wee hours of Monday, Jouvert Morning, where everyone spills out onto the streets to dance and celebrate. Watch out for the Jab-Jab! On Monday, the Parade of the Bands features Mas Players sporting colorful costumes with imaginative themes, accompanied by rhythmic soca music. The last lap is on Tuesday where the Carnival winds down, leaving Hillsborough a veritable ghost town on Wednesday morning.
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