Click for more J'Ouvert photos
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – J ‘OUVERT is undoubtedly one of the most looked forward to events for the St. Kitts and Nevis National Carnival celebrations.
It is a time to let loose, release stress, leave whatever problems you may have behind and just dance the wee hours of the morning away until the sun is brightly shining.
Yesterday (Dec. 26) the J’Ouvert celebrations were held as thousands of revellers made their way through the streets of Basseterre, jamming to several bands and sound systems.
The Love Parade, J’Ouvert Animolz, Blue Devils, Xtreme Jungle Warriors, Ronnie Rascal J’Ouvert Troupe, GM Adixx and the Golden Warriors took to the streets with revellers who made their way from the respective meeting points of the bands and sound systems then to downtown Basseterre, specifically Fort Street, where many other people joined in the celebration.
Paint was splattered on the jammers, especially those of the Xtreme Jungle Warriors Troupe, which was organised by DJ Ronnie Rascal. Rascal said he has won the Largest J’Ouvert Troupe award for the past eight years and had always offered a special deal to members of his troupe.
He said that after revellers in his troupe had jammed and got paint all over them, they would have moved to Bank Street where fire officers would have been waiting to douse them with hoses.
“We wouldn’t want you to go home with paint all over you. So, every year since I started my troupe, I would get permission from the Fire Brigade and Water Department and everyone will get wet while they dance to the latest Road March contenders,” he said.
Not just for getting the paint off does the hose down come in handy, but also to cool down everyone after a hot jam under the Caribbean sun. J’Ouvert also commands the most participation from persons as oppose to other Carnival events, as all it simply takes for one to be a part of the fun is to join in as the revellers make their way through the streets.
Some persons also use J’Ouvert as the perfect opportunity to display or make humourous mockery of specific events and individuals, especially those of a political nature.
One man had packets of cookies on his coat with a signboard which stated, “No one man could be so bad, he must be a twin!!!!” While the other side stated, “He so bad he must be a twin, Cookie Monster.”
Another way some people get loose and carefree along with ‘getting on wassi’, is the manner in which they dress. Men and women would dress outrageously on J’Ouvert…all in the fun.
Some would don high-coloured Afro wigs, while some women would dress in the skimpiest outfits they could find, including fishnet stockings, short pants and even boy’s underwear.
J’Ouvert is also the day that the first round of judging for the Road March song begins, as the bands and sound systems are sure to play their most favorite with which they want to win. The band that seemed to be the most popular was Nu Vybes, as hundreds of followers jammed with them while performing their most popular tune, ‘Rock it up’.
The former Road March champs made it clear that ‘Buss U Bubble’ was the song they wanted to three-peat while Kollision Band made a statement on the road that they were not to be taken lightly.
At the end of the jamming many people lined the streets taking in some of the food and drinks that were being sold from various vendors on the sidewalk, while some even made their way to Central Street for the mega Party Central activity with the Ultimate Band of Nevis.
Seeming, everyone enjoyed themselves but echoed that the fun ended a too soon, while some said it was one of the best limes they ever had. Malcolm Buncome of St. Thomas said he had been partying since 2:00 a.m. and was looking forward to the Last Lap jam.
“I am hoping that they let the Last Lap jam goes down until 12:00 a.m.,” he said.
As tired bodies staggered their way home, they echoed that they could not wait for next year and that they were “mashed up”.
The National Carnival celebration continues tonight (Dec. 27) with the Female Bacchanal Calypso competition with the reigning queen, Singing Jackie, defending her crown.
