Travel With Candace

“Dimanche Gras” or “Fat Sunday” marks the beginning of 4 days of Carnival madness. Since it was the first day of the celebration and the organization is celebrating its 30th anniversary, Akiyo featured a special costume that was top secret until Wednesday of this week. The costume was meant to represent the dress of individuals before the slave trade. The parade was preceded by a large boat, constructed to represent a slave ship. Individuals wore the minimum of clothing, tops and loincloth-like bottoms for women and simply loincloths for the men. We were all covered in in either a black pr red substance. Ruku, a seed mixed with oil, gave the red color while a mixture made from coal made the black. Everyone was amped up and, as usual, there was a lot of chanting and dancing going on amongst the parade or “Mas,” as it its called. I included some video so you get the idea.

Pictures

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