J'ouvert

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| date2025 | date2025 | date2026 | date2027 | date2028 | date2029 | date2030 | duration | ends | firsttime | frequency | holiday_name | image | image_size | imagesize | lasttime | litcolor | longtype | mdy | month | nickname | observances | observedby | official_name | relatedto | scheduling | significance | startedby | type | week_ordinal | weekday }} J'ouvert (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell) (also Jour ouvert, Jouvay, or Jouvé)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> is a traditional Carnival celebration in many countries throughout the Caribbean. The parade is believed to have its foundation in Trinidad & Tobago, with roots steeped in French Afro-Creole traditions such as Canboulay.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> J'ouvert typically begins in the early morning, before dawn, and peaks by mid-morning.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The celebration involves calypso or soca bands, DJs, and their followers dancing through the streets. In many countries, revelers cover their bodies in paint, mud, or pitch oil.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":0" /> Today J'ouvert is also a part of Carnival celebrations outside of the Caribbean, with the biggest celebrations happening in cities with large Caribbean ex-pat communities.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Etymology

J'ouvert is a gallicization of jou ouvè ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}; jour ouvert in standard French), the French Creole term meaning "dawn" or "daybreak", as this is the time at which the celebration is typically held.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

History

The origins of J'ouvert can be traced back to Trinidad. French traditions from the island's original Carnival, African and Afro-Trinidadian traditions from Canboulay, and various social and political influences maybe have all played a role in shaping J'ouvert.

Trinidad's Carnival

J'ouvert's is rooted in the history of Carnival in Trinidad. The French brought Carnival to Trinidad in the 1780s, a time of slavery.<ref name=":02">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Their pre-lenten Carnival included hunting parties, dinners, balls, and masquerading.<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":12">Template:Cite book</ref> Enslaved Africans, who were banned from participating in Carnival, are said to have staged their own mini-carnivals, but using their own rituals and folklore<ref name=":02" /> and imitating or mocking their masters' masquerade balls.<ref name=":03"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These imitation carnivals and mocking of the ruling class likely gave rise to J'ouvert traditions, as parodying of the upper class is an important aspect of J'ouvert tradition.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Alternatively, J'ouvert masquerading traditions may come from directly a French Carnival tradition that took the form of "after-dinner raids on private homes". Friendly raiders would disguise themselves in humorous costumes that were often topical, parodying political or social events,<ref name=":02" /> and would remain disguised until their identities were guessed correctly.<ref name=":02" /> Costumes with political and social commentary are still seen in J'ouvert today.<ref name=":8">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Canboulay

Before Emancipation, enslaved Africans in Trinidad had celebrated Canboulay, a night-time harvest festival characterized by drums, singing, calinda dancing, chanting, and stick-fighting.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":112">Template:Cite book</ref> The term "Canboulay" comes from the French cannes broullee, meaning "burnt cane".<ref name=":8" /> It may refer to the putting out of cane fires,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> the pre-harvest cane burning for pest control,<ref name=":112"/> or the burning of cane as an act of sabotage<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> during the time of slavery. Slavery was abolished in Trinidad and other British territories in 1833, with Emancipation taking effect 1 August 1834.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> After Emancipation, Canboulay developed into a festival for freed slaves and former indentured laborers to celebrate freedom. It was celebrated annually on Emancipation Day.<ref name=":2" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In 1881, the British colonial government on Trinidad attempted to ban Canboulay. This resulted in disturbances known as the Camboulay Riots, which took place in Port of Spain, San Fernando, and Princes Town. It is said that people smeared themselves with oil or paint to avoid being recognized,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> or may have been covered in black soot from burning cane.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Today, covering bodies in oil, paint, or other substances is a distinctive tradition of J'ouvert.<ref name=":92">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":32">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":102">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This tradition was likely carried forward in remembrance of the Canboulay Riots.<ref name=":12" />

Peace Preservation Act

In 1884, the colonial government passed the Peace Preservation Act, which prohibited public carrying of torches, drumming, blowing horns, and stick-fighting (or the assembly of ten or more people with sticks).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Many J'ouvert traditions may come from reactions to the prohibitions of the Peace Preservation Act. For instance, tamboo bamboo was introduced in the late 1880s as substitute for the drums and sticks.<ref name=":112"/> Tamboo bamboo bands developed and became the primary percussion instrument of Carnival.<ref name=":15"/><ref name=":112"/> Additional instruments were developed to replace the banned drums, and percussion was achieve through use of metal and other items as well.<ref name=":15">Template:Cite book</ref> The history of J'ouvert's improvised instruments is celebrated today with the use of whistles, cowbells, bottles, and home-made instruments.<ref name=":15" />

The Peace Preservation Act also established the official start of Carnival as 6:00 A.M.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":16">Template:Cite book</ref> This likely explains the early-morning start time of J'ouvert. Canboulay had traditionally been a nighttime celebration,<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":112"/> but after the Peace Preservation Act effectively banned Canboulay, Afro-Trinidadians began celebrating a reinterpretation of Canboulay beginning at 6:00 A.M. on Carnival Monday.<ref name=":16" /> Some historians claim that revelers took advantage of the pre-dawn darkness and began festivities before 6:00 A.M.—and that this secret and rebellious celebration is the origin of J'ouvert.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Today, J'ouvert in the Caribbean typically begins before dawn.<ref name=":32"/>

Other origins

The pre-dawn tradition of J'ouvert may have roots in Caribbean folklore. For instance, there is a local Trinidadian legend about a soucouyant, who sheds her skin at night and consumes the blood of her victims.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":14">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":03">Template:Cite journal</ref> She must reenter her skin before dawn, but is unable to do so if someone sprinkles salt on her skin.<ref name=":14" /> According to legend, she will cry out "Jouvay, jou paka ouvay?" ("Daybreak, are you coming?) as dawn approaches.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":03" />

J'ouvert today

J'ouvert in the Caribbean

J'ouvert traditionally begins between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m. and continues until mid-morning.<ref name=":32"/> In The Bahamas, however, J'ouvert Bahamas begins at night and goes until the early hours of the morning.<ref name=":7">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In some West Indian countries, J'ouvert is celebrated on Emancipation Day (the first day of August). In Trinidad, J'ouvert takes place on Carnival Monday, which in Trinidad is the Monday morning before Ash Wednesday. In Jamaica, there are several types of J'ouvert events which take place during the carnival season,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> as well as, in November<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the summer.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Jamaica Carnival is usually held a week after Easter, whereby J'ouvert celebrations are held leading up to the Sunday Road March.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Jamaican J'ouvert typically starts at night until sunrise,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> however, some events like Beach J'ouvert(s) are held in the afternoon until night<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and other events are held in the evening until midnight. Other islands celebrate J'ouvert on Carnival Monday as well, the date of which depends on their island's Carnival dates.

Participants follow and dance behind trucks or tractor-trailers, which play music from speakers or have live music.<ref name="Smithsonian">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":112"/> In Trinidad, Grenada, and Antigua, a part of the tradition involves covering the body in oil, mud, or chocolate.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On other islands, coloured paints and powders are more popular for covering the clothes or body.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":7" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Throughout the Caribbean, many J'ouvert revelers wear traditional, satirical, or popular costumes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In Trinidad and Grenada, "Jab Jabs" (from the French diable, meaning "devil") dress as devils of different colors,<ref name=":32" /> and "Jab Molassi" (molasses devil) cover their bodies in oil from head to toe.<ref name=":92"/><ref name=":32" /><ref name=":102"/> By contrast, in Aruba J'ouvert is referred to as the "pajama party parade," as people can join wearing comfortable, regular clothes rather than dressing up in costume.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In many West Indian countries, J'ouvert is observed before the daytime Carnival Mas or "Pretty Mas". Pretty Mas is the Carnival parade featuring colorful costumes which are often made of feathers, beads, gem stones, brightly coloured fabrics, glitter and other elaborate body adornments and is more popular while commercially publicized. J'ouvert uses the rebellious nature of powder, mud and oil, while Pretty Mas celebrates the abstract allure of glitter, colour and light.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> J'ouvert is often contrasted with Pretty Mas, in that J'ouvert is said to be for "the people" while Pretty Mas is intended for the establishment.

J'ouvert in Brooklyn

Brooklyn is home to the largest West Indian population outside the Caribbean,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and began its own Carnival celebration in the late 1960s. Organized by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA),<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> the West Indian Day Parade is held annually on Labor Day Monday.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The event attracts millions of participants who parade down central Brooklyn's Eastern Parkway.<ref name="Allen 2019 84–111">Template:Cite book</ref> An early morning J'ouvert component was added to the celebration in the 1990s when steel pan player Earl King and community organizer Yvette Rennie formed J'ouvert City International. Featuring traditional steelbands (DJs and sound systems prohibited) and ole mas costumes, the Brooklyn J'ouvert attracts tens of thousands Carnival enthusiasts.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Allen 2019 207–234">Template:Cite book</ref>

J'ouvert in London

J'ouvert marks the start of London's Notting Hill Carnival,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> one of the biggest street festivals in the world.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The J'ouvert event typically starts at 6:00 a.m. and takes place in the streets of Notting Hill.<ref name=":4">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":5">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Revelers cover themselves in colored powder, oil, or paint,<ref name=":4" /> and others dress in elaborate costumes.<ref name=":6">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The celebration involves multiple hours of music and dancing.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />

J'ouvert in Toronto

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is held each summer in Toronto, Ontario, and features a pre-dawn J'ouvert celebration. Unlike J'ouvert of the Caribbean, Toronto's J'ouvert often takes place at an outdoor venue rather than in the streets as a parade.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":13">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The celebration usually features steelpan bands, other live music, DJs,<ref name=":13" /> as well as revelers using improvised musical instruments, whistles, and other music makers. Participants will occasionally cover themselves with mud, flour, baby powder, or paint. Some participants dress to resemble evil spirits, such as devils of different colors, including the "Jab Jab".

See also

• Trinidad Carnival
• List of Caribbean Carnivals around the world
• Lists of festivals in North America

External links

• "Trinidad Carniva – The Greatest Show on Earth
• Trinidad Jouvert. TriniInXisle.