Festivities
The culture on St. Kitts and Nevis is festive and vibrant, as it is in other Caribbean countries. Carnivals and celebrations are important aspects of island life. Carnival is in full swing on St. Kitts during the Christmas season. The opening gala occurs in mid-December, and events continue until a few days after New Year's. The Miss Caribbean Talented Teen Pageant, the Junior Calypso Show, and the National Carnival Queen Pageant are among the crowd favorites. Of course, there are parades full of people dressed in brightly colored, spangled costumes.
Masquerade (or Mas) is another popular aspect of Carnival that evolved over the last three centuries from a blend of African and European traditions. Masquerade performers dress in brightly patterned long-sleeved shirts and trousers, which are adorned with bangles, mirrors, and ribbons. Masks and headdresses adorned with peacock feathers complete their costumes. Their dances incorporate waltzes, jigs, wild mas, fertility dances, quadrilles, and other traditional African and European dance elements.
Moko-Jumbies, or stilt-walkers, dress in similar but simpler costumes. The name "Moko" may be derived from the name of a vengeance god in West Africa, where the tradition began. Or it could be derived from the Macaw tree, a tall palm with thorns - Moko-Jumbi headdresses are said to be patterned after a Macaw in bloom. Moko-Jumbies entertain the crowds by dancing on stilts six to eight feet high. At this time of year, clown troupes also perform. They dance in groups of about fifty people while a live band plays music. Bells jingle as they move in their baggy, vibrant costumes. Pink masks representing Europeans cover their faces.
Aside from Carnival, the island of Nevis has its own festival called Culturama. It began in 1974, on the weekend of Emancipation Day, when some islanders were concerned that their native folk art and customs would be lost. Culturama was founded to reconnect people with their traditional culture. The five-day celebration includes dances, music, drama, and religious sacrifices, in addition to arts and crafts. Parties, boat rides, swimsuit contests, and street jams are all part of the fun.
