Cultural Connections In Barbados

 Carnival

"Caribbean Carnival is the creative and artistic expression of dispossessed people." (Michael La Rose) Carnival in Barbados is called the 'Crop Over Festival'. "Crop Over" which was originally referred to as "Harvest Home", acquiring its name from Barbados' world-renowned sugar cane production. After every successful harvesting season, bajan's would celebrate therefore creating the Harvest Home/Crop Over festivals. The Crop Over festival began as a mix of both West African and English cultures growing into Barbados' celebrations today. At one point in the 1940's Crop Over had been completely discontinued after Barbados' sugar cane production began to decrease. In 1974, the Crop Over Festival was revived and like many other islands and cultures, this annual festival provides happiness and inclusivity for all of its people.

Here in Georgia, there are carnivals held in Downtown Atlanta as well as Stonecrest which is the Atlanta Carnival that I along with my family participate in. These carnivals include groups otherwise called 'troupes' which include all Caribbean islands. As you can see in the upcoming video, Atlanta like other islands and states participate in Caribbean cultures and provide a kind of safe space for those of Caribbean decent letting them know that it's many more Caribbean's than many would expect in the states.

Sources

“Barbados Crop Over Festival History.” Barbados Crop Over Festival History | FunBarbados.com, www.funbarbados.com/crop_over/history.cfm.

“History of the Caribbean Carnival – By Michael La Rose.” Charleston Carifest, 24 Jan. 2018, charlestoncarifest.com/information/history-of-the-caribbean-carnival/.

“What Is the Barbados Crop Over Festival?” Barbados Crop Over Festival, www.barbadoscropoverfestival.com/.