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What is J'Ouvert?
Posted : Apr 11, 2005 : 1:27:01 PM |
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The word J'Ouvert is an abbreviation of the French, meaning 'opening of day'. It has its origins in the carnival of the French settlers of 1780. J'Ouvert usually starts around 4am on Carnival Monday morning, after Dimanche Gras, and is the official start of the two days of celebrations.
J'Ouvert can be recognised by a spectacle of devils covered in blue or red paint, oil and sometimes mud. Traditional J'Ouvert characters include the Midnight Robber, Dame Lorraine, Burroquite, Pierrot Grenade and Jab Molassie. All these characters play a pivotal role in the J'Ouvert celebrations as they mimic and mock social, political and even economical issues of the day. They proclaim their grandeur, question the social order and ridicule prominent figures in society both locally and abroad. They were originally conceived to mimic the African slave masters and highlight the discrepancies of the system.
Their costumery and elegance on stage is what makes these characters so endearing to the public. The Midnight Robber performs in an oversized hat, with either a gun or sword to emphasize his dominance. The Pierrot Grenade is dressed from head to toe in multicoloured rags to perform his eloquent speech, and the Dame Lorraine exaggerates her butt and breasts by making them larger than usual while dancing to her original string music. The performances also include more understated characters who use pickets and subtle innuendos of costumes and props to make grand political and economic statements.
The dirty devils take to the streets and slightly terrorise the onlookers, threatening to spill paint on their clothes while pretending to be intoxicated and out of control. They are sometimes being held back by a chain or rope around their necks. Spectators take the opportunity to join in the mas, and usually come out dressed in rags and old clothes so that they can take an active part in the festivities. |
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Comments
sugark
16 Mar 2008, 09:18
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harry marthone
19 Apr 2008, 18:58
to c omment on the topic on the radio now 4/19/08 that is a messed up
situation for both sides the man messed up of coutse his apartmrnt his
choise now on if she has any right to stay she aired the dirt bounce when
will us men learn????I'm unable to find this whole story
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