St Johns Bay Clothing

Antigua Carnival: Didi Danso parties hard at the 10-day extravaganza

The festivities, which take place around the streets of the capital St John’s, mark the island’s emancipation from slavery in 1834.

Starting in late July and ending on the first Tuesday in August, it is a spectacle of vibrant costumes, calypso music and non-stop dancing.

The 10-day extravaganza is packed with activities, including the Calypso Monarch competitions, the Panorama steel band contest, the Miss Antigua Pageant, the throning of the Caribbean Queen and the judging of the troupe bands, which are all taken very seriously indeed, trust me.

With so much going on in such a short space of time, here’s how I ‘coped’ with the beat in the heat...

It’s 6.30am and I’m already jamming to the beats booming from large trucks, which snake their way through the winding streets followed by a parade of party people.

J’Ouvert, meaning daybreak, is a massive street party, which kicks off the official opening of the carnival. Starting at 4am, it’s the most popular event, with revellers from all over jumping to the sound of steel bands and sound systems.

I’m told beforehand not to wear my best clothes and to ensure I wear a sturdy pair of trainers. I soon find out why. Dancers covered head to toe in red paint jump into the crowds and give bemused spectators affectionate hugs – all the while turning their clothes a rosy red.

Standing on the roadside watching the parade, large ladies in tiny neon knickers and fishnet tights dance past, proudly shaking their super-size curves, while bodybuilders wearing animal print briefs flex their muscles.

There’s much drinking and dancing... it’s a great party atmosphere.

COSTUMES

It’s late Sunday evening, the night before the carnival. I enter a house where a group of ladies sit around a table hurriedly sewing sequins onto brightly coloured costumes.

This is a mas camp (mas is short for masquerade). Each troupe sets up a camp several months beforehand and hours are spent making the elaborate costumes for the big day.

Everything is at stake, as the best mas troupe will be crowned Best Band.

The mas camp I visited is of the Revellers, who have won the coveted crown for the past nine years. Looking at the beautiful costumes hanging from the walls, I begin to wish I had said “Yes” when I was asked if I would like to play mas and get dressed up. After seeing those large ladies shaking their stuff, I needn’t have worried about wearing a skimpy bikini top and briefs, everyone at the carnival has such a good time – no one cares how big or small you are, it’s about having fun.

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