The tradition of celebrating Carnival was brought to the West Indians by French colonizers, who were predominantly Catholic. Following the abolition of slavery in French-controlled territories, former slaves took over the celebration, and the West Indian Carnival evolved into what it is today under the influence of West African and Creole traditions. Over time, many Caribbean countries and territories moved their Carnivals from the week before Fat Tuesday to July or August.
The St. Lucia Carnival originated after World War II. On Shrove Tuesday of 1947, a small group of islanders in makeshift costumes paraded through the streets of Castries, bearing out rhythms on pieces of steel and bottles. The impromptu parade ended with a party at the home of Derek and Roddy Walcott.
The next year, people prepared for the Mardi Gras celebration in advance. The British administrator of Saint Lucia declared Shrove Tuesday a public holiday, and that year’s celebration included elaborate costumes, steel bands, and calypso music. In 1950, the first ever Carnival King and Queen competition was organized by the Castries Physical and Culture Club. The selection of a Carnival King was dropped from the competition two years later; since 1952, only a Queen has been elected. In 1957, the first election of the Band of the Year was held.
The Saint Lucia Carnival was held during the pre-Lenten season until the late 1990s, when the government of Saint Lucia decided to move it to July in order to avoid competition with the hugely popular Trinidad and Tobago Carnival and attract more tourists. The event is co-organized by the Carnival Band Association (CBA), the St. Lucia National Steelbands Association (SLNSA), the Carnival Music Management Committee (CMMC), and other stakeholders.
The Carnival season in Saint Lucia begins in early July. The days leading up to the main events are filled with various competitions and parades such as Inter-commercial Calypso Competition, National Groovy & Power Soca Monarch, National Schools Calypso Competition, Junior Parade of the Bands, National Panorama Competition, National King and Queen of the Bands, National Carnival Queen Pageant, and National Calypso Monarch. The program of festivities also includes community events and private events.
The final two days of the St. Lucia Carnival are when the most fun happens. First there’s J’ouvert, a beloved Carnival tradition in the West Indies that originated in Trinidad. It is a party with calypso and soca bands and DJs that begins before dawn and lasts until mid-morning. In the afternoon and then again on the next day, a massive parade of the bands marches through the streets of Castries. After the parade, there are street parties and other celebrations that last well into the night.
Photo: carnivalsaintlucia.com
