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Jamaica Carnivals
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Funnily enough, though, the actual Annual Carnival here, every April, has only been formalized since 1990 but it is now an established highlight of the island year. The sounds of reggae, dancehall and soca (a compelling fusion of calypso, soul and Indian music is the only way I can describe it); the steel bands and the extravagantly-costumed street parades – all go to make Jamaican carnivals an unforgettable experience.
Obviously, Kingston is the focal point for many of the carnival highlights but you’ll find plenty of activities in Negril, Mandeville, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay – all culminating in the lusciously named ‘Las Lap’ – the final, exhausting climax of the carnival celebrations.
But this is the Caribbean – and partying doesn’t begin and end with carnival in Jamaica! Far from it. Whatever time of the year you’re planning to visit, or whatever your own particular interest, there’s going to be a festival in Jamaica.
Jamaica Carnivals, Festivals, Expos and Tournaments!
Here are just a few of our favorite examples to whet your appetite...
One of the highlights of the year - for locals and visitors alike – has to be the Jamaican Independence Day celebrations. At the beginning of every August there are street parades and music and dancing culminating in Emancipation Day, when the traditional Jonkanoo dancers headline the festivities. This really does demonstrate the whole of Jamaican culture and its complex origins – and it sure is one heck of a party!
For music lovers, there’s the choice of the annual Jazz Festival in Ocho Rios every June – travel on the Jazz Bus from Kingston for the ultimate Jamaican carnival experience!
The video below is from the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, March 2007. This was held in Rose Hall, Montego Bay. It's a professionally made video of highlights and interviews and lasts five minutes and forty-nine seconds. You won't believe who was playing! Turn up the sound--->
Or, this being the island of Bob Marley, obviously there are reggae festivals throughout the year, such as the Sun Splash in June and the Bob Marley birthday celebrations around February 6th.
Ocho Rios has a Caribbean Music Expo, with many live concerts on the beach, each September or early October.
St Elizabeth has a wonderfully unique Accompong Maroon festival every January, celebrating the runaway slaves escaping the British.
Rastafarians have their own distinctive carnival celebrations every July and November, commemorating firstly Haile Selassie’s birthday and then his coronation as Emperor of Ethiopia. But, as important as music is in Jamaica, it’s not the only excuse for a carnival.
What about breadfruit? Only in the Caribbean could they use breadfruit as an excuse for a party, but, in August, the historic little town of Bath, whips up a storm of a festival, bringing back memories of William Bligh and the Mutiny on the Bounty for history buffs but just bringing an excuse for the rest of us to let our hair down!
I could go on to tell you about the Calabash International Literary Festival in St Elizabeth; the Swift River Bussu Snail festival (honestly – it’s a snail festival!) each July; the fantastic biennial Cariflora Festival of arts, music and flowers at King’s House garden in Kingston; the Blue Marlin tournaments in Port Antonio (mid August) and Falmouth (October) and their accompanying festivities; the Jamerican Film and Music festival in Montego Bay every August or September; and even the Veggie Fest each March at Rhodes Hall Plantation – but I just haven’t got space to fit them all in.
I’m pretty sure you’ve got the idea by now, though. Take in one of the Jamaica Carnivals on your next visit. Plan on attending a celebration...
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