Festivals are celebrated all over the world for various reasons. There are festivals celebrating fertility; festivals honoring gods and goddesses; and the most common, festivals of thanksgiving for good harvest.
Barbados' main product is sugar. Sugarcane plantations can be found all over the island dating back as early as 1700s. The origins of the festival can be traced back as far as 1780 when the island became the largest producer of sugar in the world. The festival is celebrated at the end of the harvest season to give thanks for the successful harvest.
During the heyday of the sugar production, the colonizers used African slaves for cheap labor. The descendants of the slaves became the modern people of Barbados; the remnants of African tradition were incorporated during the festivals. The festival season will last from May to August, 2010. It is recommended that guests stay in apartment hotel, Barbados can be an expensive place if you plan to stay awhile.
The old traditional rituals of the event were slowly replaced by more modern activities throughout the years. There's a fusion of western and African culture showcased during the festival. Guests with different interests are sure to find something to do during the festival because of the various activities lined up.
Delivery of Last Canes Ceremony. This ceremony awards the most productive cutters of sugarcane in the island. They will be crowned the king and queen of the whole festival for that year.
Bridgetown Market. Local arts and crafts are displayed all over the market and tourists can buy these works of art for a lower price is you know how to negotiate or bargain.
Cohobblopot. Kadooment bands dance and display their elaborate costumes while Calypsonians play the music. These parties last for a long time, sometimes, till dawn.
Kadooment for Kids. The children enjoy putting on costumes as elaborate as the adults and they join contests and parades.
Concerts and Exhibitions. Bajan culture is on the spotlight as locals participate in folk concerts and photo exhibits. There are also workshops for the guests interested in Barbadian art.
Calypso. The main attraction of the festival is the music of Calypso. There are tents set up and sponsored by local businesses where Calypsonians showcase their talents. There is a competition among the musicians and the titles they're vying for are: Road March Monarch, Party Monarch, and the Pic-O-De-Crop Monarch.
Grand Kadoomet. The Grand Kadoomet is the climax and finale of the Crop Over Festival. There will be a carnival-like parade where participants dress up in costumes depending on their theme. Like the other activities, there is a competition, this time for designers. The designers all covet the Designer of the Year award to recognize their excellence and creativity manifested in the costumes and floats that are showcased in the parade. From the National Stadium up to the Spring Garden, revelers dance their way while accompanied by rhythmically contagious calypso music. The participants gather in the Spring Garden and an all out party ensues, complete with food and drinks.
Barbados is one party island for locals and tourists alike. If it's a party you're looking for then you came to the right Caribbean island. A guest doesn't need to worry about accommodations. Staying in an apartment hotel Barbados can make your stay quite comfortable without breaking the bank.
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