The Batabano Carnival was launched in 1983 by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman. Unlike most Carribbean carnivals that are held either in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday or in late July/early August (to commemorate Emancipation Day), Batabano takes place in early May, marking the beginning of the turtle nesting season.
The name of the carnival is a shout-out to the turtling heritage of the Cayman Islands: “Batabano” is a Cayman word that means the tracks in the sand that sea turtles leave as they crawl onto the beach to nest. Finding these tracks has always been a reason to celebrate because they signify that the turtle population is replenishing itself, hence the carnival.
Like all carnivals in the Caribbean, Batabano is a joyous celebration of Caribbean culture with its folklore, music, dances, cuisine, and traditional characters. It reflects the diverse historical influences of the Cayman Islands as the archipelago is home to a melting pot of more than a hundred nationalities. Batabano is the time when people of different descents come together and celebrate their community and its rich cultural heritage.
The Batabano Carnival takes place over two weekends in late April and early May. The first weekend is a family-friendly festival (Junior Batabano), and the second weekend is the more traditional celebration targeted at adults (Adult Batabano).
The main highlight of Adult Batabano is a road parade featuring masquerade bands, also called mas bands, and revelers in exotic costumes. It marches through George Town at midday, bringing joy and cheer to residents and tourists alike. After the parade, the best costumes are selected by judges near the Governor’s house. Other events of the Adult Carnival include a bazaar, a street party with several stages, and the J’Ouvert parade held the Sunday or Monday after the street parade.
Junior Batabano was introduced in 2002 as a more family-friendly aspect of the Carnival. Originally a singular program that took place before the adult road parade, it has evolved into a separate event spanning an entire day. Junior Batabano includes a parade, which ends with an award being presented to the best junior band, as well as mask decorating, face painting, food stalls, and other fun activities.
The masquerade bands typically play soca music, which is a style of calypso music with influences from soul, funk, chutney, Latin, zouk, reggae, and some other music genres. The lyrics of the songs are usually about life and politics. To highlight their performances, the masquerade bands wear extravagant costumes. Women’s costumes usually include a bikini, a feather headdress, leg pieces, and a feather tail; optional elements include capes and corsets. Men’s costumes typically consist of shorts, a feathered headdress, and bejeweled cuffs and a neck piece. Children’s costumes are similar to those worn by adults, but they cover more skin and are less extravagant.
Photo: caymancarnival.com
