Museums & History

Carriacou Carnival affectionately called Kayak Mas is a Caribbean festival that offers authentic cultural experiences with a unique twist. Held in February in the pre-Lenten season, the Carnival blends accents of Carriacou’s African, French and English heritage represented in the music, street celebrations, mas bands, food, colours and splendor. While like mainland Grenada, the Jab Jab of J’ouvert, fancy mas bands and Monday Night mas street parade can be found, only Carriacou offers Shakespeare mas.

Wear your red, green, and gold on Thursday, February 6 for National Colors Day ahead of Grenada's celebration of its 51st year of independence on February 7!

The longstanding festival in Carriacou which started in 1977 features elements of traditional Christmas caroling blended with the humorous storytelling of the year’s events through song. A staple of this festival is the competition in which parang bands representing the various villages in Carriacou compete for prizes and bragging rights. The bands first sing traditional Christmas carols called a ‘test piece’ then increase the tempo for the ‘Melee’ parang section in which the major social happenings throughout the year are recounted in a hilarious manner.

It’s the ultimate culinary experience in which corn is crowned king. Carriacou is known for growing a large quantity of corn which remains a predominant staple food and permanent feature of the islands’ traditional “Saraca” – the communal sharing of smoked food.

The island brings together the elements of culture, music and corn related foods to entice one’s tastebuds and create a unique experience. Whether it is coo-coo, cornbread, corn cake, conkie ‘paime”, corn porridge or corn-kebabs, it’s on offer for your enjoyment. The event usually held in October at Foot Print Bar close to the Lauriston Airport, also showcases vibrant string band music and traditional May Pole dancing.

No one does carnival quite like Grenada with its colours, music, costumes, food and splendour. As the last Caribbean Carnival held every August, the festival certainly offers experiences that are out of the ordinary. One of the standout experiences is Grenada’s Jab Jab which consists of masqueraders covered in black oil or charcoal wearing horned helmets and carrying chains. A large group of these masqueraders is a sight to behold on Carnival Monday as part of the early morning street parade J’ouvert which means ‘daybreak’. This is followed by Monday Night Mas in which masqueraders light up the night skies with glowsticks and colourful t-shirts as they dance to the music provided by huge DJ trucks. Then on Tuesday, hundreds of masqueraders take to the streets adorned with colourful costumes, feathers and jewels in a stunning display of the ‘Parade of the Bands’. On that day, traditional masqueraders such as the Vieux Corps, Shortknee, Wild Indian and ‘Moko Jumbie’ Stilt Walkers are conspicuous on the streets. Of course, leading up to the culmination on the second Monday and Tuesday in August there are various soca, calypso and pageant competitions and numerous fetes choose from. Choose Spicemas for unmatched vibes and energy.