Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Italians were the first to celebrate Carnival in the modern spirit of aban-
doned fun. They dressed in elaborate costumes, hid their identity behind
masks, danced in the streets, and consumed vast quantities of wine,
liquor, and food. These celebrations became famous throughout Europe
and spread to France, Spain, and Portugal. When European explorers
began to colonize the Americas, they continued to celebrate the customs of
Carnival.
By the early 1800s, African slaves and indentured workers from China,
India, and less-developed parts of Europe did the bulk of the labor on
Caribbean islands. Their customs were added to the Carnival traditions of
the colonists. Slaves introduced the ancient African tradition of bringing
good luck to a village by moving in circles through towns wearing costumes
and masks. These circling parades were thought to heal the sick and pla-
cate angry spirits.
Africans also introduced the custom of building sculptures, headpieces,
and masks from natural items such as bones, shells, and nuts. Feathers
were added as a symbol of flight and mans' ability to rise above problems
and pain. African drums, stilt walkers, and life-size puppets became
important parts of Caribbean music and dance.
Many parts of the New World welcomed Carnival as an annual springtime
celebration. Brazil, once a Portuguese colony, is well-known for its high-
spirited Carnival. Louisiana, where French colonists, native Indians, and
African slaves mixed heritages and genes, is notorious for Mardi Gras (Fat
Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday). Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada,
Trinidad, Dominica, Haiti, Cuba, and St. Thomas are among the Carib-
bean Islands that put on elaborate Carnivals.
In the Netherlands Antilles the annual Carnival unites people and tradi-
tions from around the world. Road marches closely resemble the circle
parades of Africa. Masks and costumes imitate pagan spirits and deceased
relatives who must be charmed into granting good luck. Music and dance
is performed to petition the gods of nature to grant fertility and health to
people, plants, and animals.
Some type of pre-Lenten celebration may have been held on the ABCs
before 1900 by Dutch colonists in private homes and clubs. However, the
general population didn't get involved until 1915, when the Royal Dutch
Shell Oil Refinery opened on Curaçao. Well-organized public festivities
did not become an annual event until 1949, when an Aruban club paraded
through the streets of Oranjestad for the first time.
In 1954, Curaçao canceled its celebration in sympathy for the people in
Holland who lost lives, homes, and farms due to disastrous flooding from
burst dikes. That same year, the Central Carnival Committee Aruba
(CCCA) was formed to take charge of all future Carnival activities. The
first Children's Parade took place two years later on Aruba, and Curaçao
revived its celebrations in 1971.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search