J’ouvert

Monday, August 12th 2024

Jouvert is a lively and colourful street party that is part of the Carnival celebrations in Grenada. “Jouvert” is derived from the French word “jour ouvert,” which means daybreak or morning. The event occurs in the early morning, often before dawn and lasting until sunrise.

During Jouvert, there is often music, including the traditional sounds of steel drums and calypso, as well as more contemporary Caribbean music genres like soca and reggae. Participants and onlookers enjoy the music and dancing, creating community and celebration.

One distinctive feature of Jouvert is oil, paint or mud.

The traditional Jab-Jab bands emerge from the darkness of the night to parade freely through the town.”
Blackened with stale molasses, tar, grease, creosote or mud and wearing little more than their horned helmets, these masqueraders in previous times set out to terrify onlookers with their grotesque appearance and repulsive dances.