Guadeloupe Carnival

The way that we play mas / jump for carnival in Guadeloupe is something totally Unique in the Caribbean. On this point, no comparison at all can be done with our dear neighbours. I must say that this is my favourite period of the year, I missed it once in 2018 and I almost cried watching from abroad the videos...

In Guadeloupe, we jump every single Sunday from Epiphany (January) to Ash Wednesday (February/March).

Carnival season lasts basically 2 months. The very last days of this celebration are called "Les jours Gras". They go from the Saturday with a Morning Road March, "Mas Maten", created and hosted by "Le Point d'Interrogation" mas band, through Dimanche, Lundi and Mardi Gras until Ash Wednesday, when "Vaval" The King of Carnival is burned out as symbol of the end of festivities.

In the street are jumping people registered in the different bands.

The audience can appreciate 3 types of bands each Sunday in a new area, Pointe-à-Pitre and Basse-Terre being the cities always vibing no matter where the official parade takes place.

The three types of bands sharing the road in Guadeloupe Carnival.

Gwoup a Ti-Mas (Bands with masks) , Gwoup a Kèsklè (Snare drums bands), Gwoup a po (Traditionnal drums bands).

Music is played live, in the street. While jumping, musicians are beating restyled steel pans (Gwoup a Ti-Mas) or the drums, alongside trumpet or conch melodies. The riddim takes over revellers who can jump for hours powered by the same stamina.

This folklore is used as a way to raise awareness about current issues but also to pay tribute to our ancestors, heroes from slavery or other major events that occured in the local History.

For a few years now, carnival is relaid on social media by Yarma Videos through an annual saga called KARATA.

Involved in Carnival for years, if you need any tips or assistance to jump in Guadeloupe or just to know where to go and when, link me.