Added: 12/18/2005 |
Uvi carnival costumes -dancing, singing, parades, and pageantryThere is no denying that Virgin Islanders love Carnival! It is the most anticipated cultural event of the year! Carnival is a festival celebrating freedom through dancing, singing, parades, pageantry, music, drinks, food, friends and fun. It includes nightly displays of talented bands and individual musicians, pageants for Carnival royalty and fairs showcasing local crafts, food and drinks. Carnival however is much more than a large party. It is an exposition of culture and a treasured tradition that is passed down year after year. It draws on African and European customs including music, dancing and masquerades. Carnival can be found throughout the Caribbean and is celebrated on various islands at different times of the year. In the United States Virgin Islands Carnival events take place on St. Thomas in April/May, St. Croix in December/January and St. John in June/July.
Activities, both private and public, come to a slow stop during the month long events anticipated for Carnival celebrations. Preparations start months before Carnival with costume making, rehearsals for the parade and competitions. In the first few days of Carnival there are pageants for king and queen of the band, Carnival queen and prince and princess. The tempo of Carnival picks up with numerous musical events like calypso shows and steel pan venues. The action intensifies with the opening of the village, food fair and j'ouvert. Carnival raps up with parades and often a beautiful display of fireworks.
Beautiful virgin islands carnival costumes, great music and the wonderful energy and spirit of Virgin Island's people make the Adults Parade (which takes place on St. Thomas and St. Croix) a success every year.
Some troupes are small with only a dozen or so participants while others are very large with 100 to 400 people. Huge costumes are worn by members of larger troupes. These large costumes often span the width of the parade route. Traditionally the larger costumed masqueraders will be found in St. Thomas and St. Croix parades.
Preparations for Carnival parades begin as soon as one Carnival celebration has finished, so often a year in advance. The costumes worn during the parades are intricate works of art and take months to prepare. Costumes include a whole range of colors and materials. Participants in parade on St. John frequently wear costumes that include lots of red, white and blue as well as traditional yellows, oranges, red, as the St. John Carnival parade usually coincides with the 4th of July!
The Virgin Islands Carnival 2004 theme was "Journey through a cultural door for Carnival 2004."
At the 2004 Adult's Parade, Carnival Troupe of University of Virgin Islands portrayed civilizations that have contributed to the development of knowledge in the region. This was displayed in three sections of UVI carnival costumes and a float symbolizing intellect.
The African section of UVI carnival costumes portrayed Nubia or Kush, which is thought to be the cradle of civilization. The first part of this section paid homage to the Dogon nation of ancient Mali, whose ceremonial costumes led the African section. Following the ceremonial costumes were troupe members in flowing, traditional white vestments - symbolizing the African scholars at the ancient university in the legendary city of Timbuktu.
The Greco-Roman section of UVI carnival costumes featured male gladiators and female troupe members in togas. Ancient Greek and Roman societies contributed much to the intellectual, artistic and socio-political development of mankind.
The Taino Indians, descendants of the Arawaks, were skilled at agriculture and hunting, and were also accomplished sailors, fishermen, canoe makers, and navigators. This UVI carnival costumes section depicted male and female Tainos, who inhabited Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands when Christopher Columbus arrived in the New World.
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