Jouvert

-J'ouvert is a large street party during Carnival in the eastern Caribbean region.
-Carnival was introduced by French settlers in 1783, a time of slavery.
-The origins of street parties associated with J'ouvert were caused by the emancipation from slavery in 1838.
-J'ouvert is inseparable from Carnival and has had many influences. The Spanish, British, French, Africans, Indians and the many other ethnic groups have all left a mark on J'ouvert

-J'ouvert comes from the French word "Jourouvert" meaning "dawn and day break".
-It is also a feature of New York City's West Indian Day Parade held on Labor Day. The celebration involves calypso/soca bands and their followers dancing through the streets.

-J'ouvert is celebrated on many islands.
- People dress in colorful attire or abstract attire.
-The festival starts before dawn and gets into full swing a few hours after sunrise.
-Young and old all dance with each other down the streets, sometimes throwing things like water, paint and flour.

History

How it's celebrated…

Curious facts