SugarMas: The Sweetest Time of Year

Right now on the island of SugaCity St. Kitts, the masses are gearing up for our sweetest time of year, Carnival!  Carnival in St. Kitts happens to occur in December around the same time as Christmas. I remember prior to marriage and babies, I used to head down to SugaCity every year for Carnival!  I have the fondest memories of spending Christmas with my aunts, dressing up and going to the King and Queen shows, Talented Teen show, and Calypso shows.  But the best was always hanging out on the road with my cousin for J'ouvert!  I get shivers just thinking about those days.  Christmas day would be spent eating dinner and opening gifts with family and then that night, I would take a nap in preparation to wake up in the wee hours of the morning for J'ouvert.  J'ouvert (pronounced Jouvay) is a large street party that begins before dawn on Boxing Day during the Carnival season and peaks after the sun rises.  It includes big trucks that have Soca and Calypso bands on them.  The music is played loudly, they parade through the streets and people follow them all around the town dancing and coloring their bodies with paint, mud, and/or oils.

During the Carnival season, you can also look forward to the folklore from centuries ago like the brightly colored clown which is of French influence, the masquerading troupe of dancers which are of Indian influence, the mummies which are of English influence and the moco-jumbies which are of West African influence.  All of these characters come out during the Carnival season and represent an array of cultures.  In addition, Carnival during Christmas time is a great way for families to reunite.  Many Kittitians living abroad find their way back to the island specifically to enjoy Carnival and the holidays.  You have a number of Carnival related events as well as Christmas events and then don't forget all the New Year balls and galas!  The day after New Year's is the actual Carnival Parade on the road with all the troupes and bands.  You have revellers that dress up in their masquerade costumes, dancing and performing in the streets.  The day after that is referred to as Last Lap.  It is literally your last chance to jam for Carnival and take your lap around the town.  This is usually when that state of depression kicks in that Christmas and Carnival is officially over!  But no need to fret, you've accomplished and seen a lot.  Plus, you can start thinking and preparing for next year!  Set some money aside, decide if you want to bring a friend, and ponder whether or not you might want to play mas next year.  Sky's the limit once you've experienced that Carnival frenzy.

Here's a tip for the trip: When you pack your luggage for a trip to St. Kitts during the Carnival season, if you are anything like me, you will find yourself paying that extra baggage fee for the second bag.  It's sad but true and so worth it!  With all these events, you have to make sure to pack a number of wardrobe options.  Its not just a regular vacation where all you really need are shorts, t-shirts and a swimsuit!  There is a buffet of events to choose from.  St. Kitts also has a number of talented artists and you will be sure to to bring back various pieces of art that displays our culture. One thing that will happen on your trip is that you will not leave St. Kitts feeling unsatisfied or unfulfilled, culturally.  However, what you will do is create lasting memories!

SugarMas...the sweetest time of year!  Check out some pictures shared with me by a dear friend Andrew Thompson.  Also, check out some of the 2013 costumes for Phunnmakers Mas Camp!

Phunnmakers Mas Camp

Phunnmakers Mas Camp

Phunnmakers Mas Camp