Approximately 30 minutes before Bacchanal 2012, Jamaica’s Carnival, which had as its theme, Future Shock, made its way to where I was standing near Devon House, the skies opened up. Despite the fact that it had looked ominous all morning, I had left without an umbrella or rain slick.
At first, I tried to stare it back — how could there be rain on carnival day? But as the drops got fatter and began pelting my head and shoulders, with some insistence, I reluctantly admitted defeat — my willpower was no match for a tropical shower — and shamefacedly begged a woman nearby, who had found some thick cardboard, for a piece to cover my head. Then I waited. I didn’t know how long the rain would last, or how soon the parade would appear, but I’d been standing too long to give up and go home. Sometimes, I surprise myself at how pig headed I can be!
Unlike many other Caribbean islands, Jamaica does not have a carnival tradition. However, students from islands where carnival is an annual event who attend the local campus of the University of the West Indies, began staging their own version of carnival long before Byron Lee started it in the island. That carnival, I’m told was bigger and even made it beyond Kingston to Montego Bay. Unfortunately, the music and the revelry stopped after Lee passed away. The current event has been around for 24 years and is now the only vehicle for anyone who wants to jump carnival in Jamaica.
After maybe 15 long minutes, the rain let up. A truck appeared and men began unloading barricades. (Roads are blocked long enough to let the parade through.) I was relieved. The party, though wet, wet, wet (instead of hot, hot, hot) was still on.
Then this SUV arrived and the driver, who was wearing a T-shirt that read ‘Field Crew,’ got out very official-like. He walked to the rear of the vehicle, looked at something, walked back to the front, got into the driver’s seat and drove off.
Another long 15 or so minutes passed before we heard music in the distance. Then I saw the crowd.
Maybe because of the rain, things had become a free for all. Folks in costume who were playing mass, as well as members of the public, a few people on bicycle, and street vendors, some with push carts, were all now part of the road march.
Isn’t he just so regal?
When the last float inched past me I checked my watch. Less than 30 minutes had passed. I was surprised. Surely, this couldn’t be the end? Maybe the rain sent some people home.
I felt cheated. I discarded my makeshift rain hat and decided to follow. I walked for about 10-15 minutes when I felt raindrops again. This time, I had nothing to protect me. I dropped my camera in my bag and headed towards Devon House.
I was soaked by the time I got there. More than getting wet, I was disappointed with Bacchanal 2012. It was smaller that I anticipated and looked disorganized. In fairness, that could have been because of the rain. So next year, I’ll go early and I’ll go to mass camp.
Bacchanal, Jamaica’s carnival parade, takes place the weekend following Easter.
What a pity that it wasn’t grander, Marcia. But at least you were there to catch whatever action there was, and to present it to us here!
I’m always up for a carnival. This looks fun.
Love the costumes, they’re fantastic.
Thanks, Ayngelina. I was hoping to get more but the rain really put things in disarray.
It was quite fun, in spite of the rain. I’ve been thinking that I’ll get a costume and participate next year.
It is. A family friend who played mass said it was fun, until it started to pour. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who got soaked.
What a pity… I hope it was the rain that did them in not lack of enthusiasm… 🙂
No carnival tradition? That is surprising.
Maybe the people are too relaxed to organise a good mardi gras? I can imagine it taking a lot of organisation and effort!
Love the costumes too, thanks for sharing this!
You’re welcome, Candice Michelle. Glad you love them.
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting.
You know, I’m really not sure why we never got into carnival. We have a festival, but that was it. Anyway, it’s fun.
It was definitely the rain. It’s a pity.
Next year why not try the Notting Hill Carnival in London. Much better by the look of it.
Actually, Mark, that is a great idea. I’ve been hearing about it for a while now so I really should plan a trip. Thanks!
The carnival that was meant to be still happened, but probably with less flare. It looks like the peeps who were in the parade had fun though. Thanks for your article.
Yes, they did, Adam. Despite the rain, you could tell people had fun.
I love festival. It is the only time where people wear odd and outrageous costumes. But still look great and fun.
Yes, they are that sometimes — odd and outrageous and also fun to look at.
Yeah, I guess the crowd thinned out because of the rain. I happened to be in Kingston during the 2011 Bacchanal, and it was loads of fun. You just had a bit of a bad luck, I guess.
On the other hand, I didn’t pay much attention to the organization side of things. I’m sure that official guy near his SUV truck just came there for appearances sake.
Hahaha, you’re probably right, Harvey.
I do plan to go again and I’ll do it differently next time.