BARBUDA'S FIRST CARIBANA - Antigua & Barbuda

after fifteen years in the U.S. said to
me,” Hill, Jouvert changed.” Yes, he
was very right, it has changed. Gone
are the days when the bands were
roped off and there was a sense of
order. Today, a hooligan element
seems to be taking over, and many
revellers are now onlookers. One
year, I proposed to the Carnival
Chairman that two routes should
be created for Jouvert; one for Jam
bands and Hi Fi’s and the other
for Steelbands and Iron Bands.
There were fierce opposition to my
suggestion, but my concern at the
time was that steelbands were losing
the crowd and were overpowered
by the loud noise of the Jam bands.
Jouvert cannot be all Jam Bands
and HiFis. We must preserve the
steel bands and the Iron Bands who
have their followers, the over-forty
crowd.
With the advent of the Burning
Flames in 1985, who were hailed as
‘Champions of the Road,’ the entire
face of Jouvert changed drastically.
It became a time when do as they
say reigned supreme. Wild behavior
became the order of
the day and people
believed it was okay
to display a variety of
unacceptable behavior
with impunity.
When High Intensity
won the Road March in
2001 with “The Ole Time
Something” song, what
a year that was with the
over forty returning to the streets
in their numbers. The steel bands
were back in action that year also,
as revellers ‘chiped’ to the new,
slow rhythm. Even the Iron bands
had some prominence that year in
Jouvert.
A new phenomenon has emerged in
the last five years. It’s the era of mud
and colors. The Blue Devils’ mud
mas has taken over the Jouvert.
The biggest disorganized Jouvert
band, over the short years of their
existence, has managed to “blue
up” the town. I had my experience
of becoming blue at the end of a
Jouvert session. I wonder what’s
next. Yes, what’s next? Don’t be
surprised with the new Jouvert route,
if ropes and bouncers will become
a part of the plan to keep out the
undesirable elements. I believe the
time is fast approaching when, if you
are not wearing the relevant T-shirt,
have not paid your subscription,
then you may find yourself outside
of a Jouvert band. That will surely
be another big challenge. Yes,
the most disorganized fete getting
organized with bouncers and rope.
On this the 50th anniversary
of Carnival, I extend heartiest
thanks to all those Sub-Committee
Chairpersons and their committees
who, over the years, have assisted
in organizing the most disorganized
fete during Carnival. Until then, see
you Jouvert morning. Oh Gosh!
Vaughn just passed me, and all my
clothes turned blue – that’s from my
eyes!
come celebrate
our
golden jubilee