How Did the Caribbean-Style Carnival Start?

Calypso, the original music of the Caribbean-style Carnival, began when African slaves arrived in the Caribbean to work on sugar plantations in the 17th century. They were forbidden to speak to each other. So they sang calypso songs to communicate and to mock their slave masters. The origin of calypso traces back to kaiso of West Africa.

Europeans who colonized in the Caribbean, also brought their own Carnival traditions. When those traditions were blended with African traditions, the Caribbean-style Carnival was born. Carnival in the Caribbean became a way to express African culture, such as the tradition of moving through villages in costumes and masks. In Africa this type of parading was to bring good fortune and healing to the people.

Today’s Caribbean-style Carnival can be found all over the world, and although it is evolving, it continues to express rich African traditions.