5 Things You Didn't Know About Carnival

1. What was the first Carnival?

Carnival began in Africa. The festival of Osiris is one of the first annual festivals in recorded history. It occurred in Ancient Egypt during the spring and represented the renewal of life.

2. Where did the word “Carnival” originate?

One explanation of the word “Carnival” is from the Latin phrase carne vale, meaning “farewell to meat.” The Italian carne levare means "to remove meat.” When Carnival ends, Lent begins, which is the season from Ash Wednesday to Easter. Many people of various religions refrain from eating meat during Lent.

Many other people believe the true origin of the word “Carnival” comes from the term "Carrus Navalis" (“ship cart”), the name of the Roman festival of the Ancient Egyptian goddess Isis. Her image was paraded to the sea-shore to bless the start of the Spring sailing season. The festival included people with masks following a decorated boat made of wood, similar to todays Carnival floats and masquerade bands.

3. How was calypso used by slaves?

Calypso began in Trinidad & Tobago in the seventeenth century when Africans were enslaved and forced to work there on the sugar plantations. They were forbidden to speak to each other, but were allowed to sing. Singing calypso was a way the slaves united and communicated. Calypso was developed from “kaiso,” call-and-response chants accompanied by drums in West Africa.

4. What do feathers symbolize on Caribbean Carnival costumes?

The feathers, as used on tribal masks and headdresses of Africa during festivals, symbolize the ability to rise above all problems, and grow spiritually. We see feathers used on many Caribbean Carnival costumes, keeping the African tradition alive.


5. Where did the steelpan originate?

Steelpans have such a rich history. Drums were another way of communicating among African slaves brought to the Caribbean, since they were forbidden to speak to each other. The drums were banned by colonial government resulting in riots and brutal struggles. However, other instruments were developed resulting in today’s steelpan. The first instruments in the evolution were called the tamboo-bamboos, tunable bamboo sticks manipulated and beat together and on the ground. Later dust pans and biscuit tins were manipulated, then oil drums. Today’s steelpans are professionally made and are continuously being improved.