After a five year leave of absence, I decided to play J’Ouvert (pronounced “joo vay”) again this year.
Each year at 4 am on Carnival Monday, Carnival begins under a cloak of darkness. Fuelled by exhilaration and the energetic rhythms of soca music, revellers take to the streets for the predawn party of J’Ouvert.
J’Ouvert from the French ‘jour ouvert’ or ‘day open’ is almost ritualistic in its celebration of the darker elements of the island’s folklore and history. Bathed in chocolate, mud, oil and paint, bands of revellers depict devils, demons, monsters and imps. Choose your medium of expression; J’Ouvert is a time for loosening of inhibitions.
I chose to play with “Generation Lion”, a band fronted by an old schoolmate of mine, Rubadiri Victor. “Generation Lion” is the title of a magazine he produces which highlights Trinidad and Tobago’s social, cultural and sporting groundbreakers. Its the largest glossy magazine in the Caribbean (its usually over 300 pages long), and its in its 4th printing.
Here’s some of the action I encountered on the road…
I’m on my way to get some more Carnival pictures… see you soon!
Peace and Rice,
jw
Love the pictures.:) How did you know that a lion is my favorite animal? Looks like a lot of fun at the carnival and playing in the band.:)
Barbara
Ooh that looks like fun. I real laughed at all the muddy/ painted cars I saw on my way to work on Monday.
@ Barbara: Carnival is a lot of fun even if you’re standing at the side of the road watching it pass you by…
@ youcoulcbelievethis: FUN!!! Yaaay, FUN!!!
There were many cars and walls that could say that they played Jouvay this year… 
I could remember being terrified as a youth and running from the Jab Jab n’ dem.
Great pics!