J'ouvert

J'ouvert is a gallicization of jou ouvè ({{IPA|cpf|ʒu uvɛ|label=IPA}}; jour ouvert in standard French), the French Creole term meaning "dawn" or "daybreak", as this is the time at which the celebration is typically held.{{cite encyclopedia |title=Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Kingston |last=Allsopp |first=R. |date=1996 |volume=1 |pages=776 |isbn=0-198-66152-5}}{{Cite book |last1=Henry |first1=Frances |author-link=Frances Henry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fhrCDwAAQBAJ&dq=jouvert+French+Creole+term+meaning+%22dawn%22+or+%22daybreak%22&pg=PT184 |title=Carnival Is Woman: Feminism and Performance in Caribbean Mas |last2=Plaza |first2=Dwaine |date=2019-12-30 |publisher=Univ. Press of Mississippi |isbn=978-1-4968-2546-9 |language=en}}

The origins of J'ouvert can be traced back to Trinidad. French traditions from the island's original Carnival, African and Afro-Trinidadian traditions from Canboulay, and various social and political influences maybe have all played a role in shaping J'ouvert.

J'ouvert's is rooted in the history of Carnival in Trinidad. The French brought Carnival to Trinidad in the 1780s, a time of slavery.{{cite web |date=15 December 2014 |title="Mama Dis is Mas" |url=https://www.nalis.gov.tt/Resources/Subject-Guide/Carnival |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211235544/https://www.nalis.gov.tt/Resources/Subject-Guide/Carnival |archive-date=11 February 2017 |access-date=1 September 2019 |publisher=National Library and Information System Authority}} Their pre-lenten Carnival included hunting parties, dinners, balls, and masquerading.{{Cite book |last1=Henry |first1=Frances |author-link=Frances Henry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pPfADwAAQBAJ&q=french&pg=PA57 |title=Carnival Is Woman: Feminism and Performance in Caribbean Mas |last2=Plaza |first2=Dwaine |date=2019-12-30 |publisher=Univ. Press of Mississippi |isbn=978-1-4968-2548-3 |language=en}} Enslaved Africans, who were banned from participating in Carnival, are said to have staged their own mini-carnivals, but using their own rituals and folklore and imitating or mocking their masters' masquerade balls.{{Cite web |date=2021-02-15 |title=Jouvert: Carnival high times, from Trinidad to the diaspora |url=https://pan-african-music.com/en/jouvert-in-the-diaspora/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=PAM - Pan African Music |language=en-US}} These imitation carnivals and mocking of the ruling class likely gave rise to J'ouvert traditions, as parodying of the upper class is an important aspect of J'ouvert tradition.{{Cite web |last=Kerrigan |first=Dylan |date=2005-01-01 |title=Creatures of the mas |url=https://www.caribbean-beat.com/issue-71/creatures-mas |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Caribbean Beat Magazine |language=en-GB}} Alternatively, J'ouvert masquerading traditions may come from directly a French Carnival tradition that took the form of "after-dinner raids on private homes". Friendly raiders would disguise themselves in humorous costumes that were often topical, parodying political or social events, and would remain disguised until their identities were guessed correctly. Costumes with political and social commentary are still seen in J'ouvert today.{{Cite journal |last=La Rose |first=Michael |date=2019 |title="The City Could Burn Down, We Jammin' Still!": The History and Tradition of Cultural Resistance in the Art, Music, Masquerade and Politics of the Caribbean Carnival: Caribbean Quarterly |url=https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00086495.2019.1682348 |journal=Caribbean Quarterly |volume=65 |issue=4 |pages=491–512 |doi=10.1080/00086495.2019.1682348}}

Before Emancipation, enslaved Africans in Trinidad had celebrated Canboulay, a night-time harvest festival characterized by drums, singing, calinda dancing, chanting, and stick-fighting.{{Cite book |last=Cowley |first=John |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rHFOemkETacC&dq=%C2%A0j'ouvert+canboulay&pg=PA229 |title=Carnival, Canboulay and Calypso: Traditions in the Making |date=1998 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-65389-3 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=October 2022 |title=J'ouvert: Genesis Immersive Experience (booklet) |url=https://citylore.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/JGIE-BOOKLET-TO-CITY-LORE-AUGUST-11-2023.pdf |website=City Lore}}{{Cite book |last=Riggio |first=Milla Cozart |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YAmCAgAAQBAJ&dq=j'ouvert+jouvay&pg=PA288 |title=Carnival: Culture in Action – The Trinidad Experience |date=2004-10-14 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-48780-6 |language=en}} The term "Canboulay" comes from the French cannes broullee, meaning "burnt cane". It may refer to the putting out of cane fires,{{Cite web |title=Canboulay's freedom cry rings out on 50th Black Power anniversary {{!}} Loop Trinidad & Tobago |url=https://tt.loopnews.com/content/canboulays-freedom-cry-rings-out-50th-black-power-anniversary |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Loop News |language=en}}{{Cite book |last1=Turner |first1=Victor Witter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SeBZ7HDV8zIC&dq=cannes+brulee&pg=PA300 |title=The Anthropology of Experience |last2=Bruner |first2=Edward M. |date=1986 |publisher=University of Illinois Press |isbn=978-0-252-01249-5 |language=en}} the pre-harvest cane burning for pest control, or the burning of cane as an act of sabotage{{Cite journal |last=Thomas |first=Cathy |date=2021 |title=Black Femme Rising: Cosplay and Playing Mas as New Narratives of Transgression |url=https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1333520 |journal=American Journal of Play |language=en |volume=13 |pages=320–355 |issn=1938-0399}} during the time of slavery. Slavery was abolished in Trinidad and other British territories in 1833, with Emancipation taking effect 1 August 1834.{{Cite web |title=The West Indian colonies and emancipation |url=https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/evolutionofparliament/legislativescrutiny/parliament-and-empire/parliament-and-the-american-colonies-before-1765/the-west-indian-colonies-and-emancipation/ |website=UK Parliament}}{{Cite web |last=Hamilton-Davis |first=Ryan |date=2024-04-19 |title=Trinidad and Tobago to celebrate African Emancipation Day on August 1 |url=https://newsday.co.tt/2024/04/19/trinidad-and-tobago-to-celebrate-african-emancipation-day-on-august-1/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Trinidad and Tobago Newsday |language=en-US}} After Emancipation, Canboulay developed into a festival for freed slaves and former indentured laborers to celebrate freedom. It was celebrated annually on Emancipation Day.{{Cite book |last=Munro |first=Martin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WIVmoBuZ6AAC&q=canboulay |title=Different Drummers: Rhythm and Race in the Americas |date=2010-07-16 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-26283-6 |language=en}}

In 1881, the British colonial government on Trinidad attempted to ban Canboulay. This resulted in disturbances known as the Camboulay Riots, which took place in Port of Spain, San Fernando, and Princes Town. It is said that people smeared themselves with oil or paint to avoid being recognized,{{Cite web |date=2021-02-15 |title=Jouvert: Carnival high times, from Trinidad to the diaspora |url=https://pan-african-music.com/en/jouvert-in-the-diaspora/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=PAM - Pan African Music |language=en-US}} or may have been covered in black soot from burning cane.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2001-01-01 |title=Trinidad Carnival — come turn yourself on |url=https://www.caribbean-beat.com/issue-57/come-turn-yourself-on |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Caribbean Beat Magazine |language=en-GB}} Today, covering bodies in oil, paint, or other substances is a distinctive tradition of J'ouvert.{{cite web |title=Traditional Mas Characters - Jab Molassie |url=http://www.ncctt.org/new/index.php/about-ncc/departments/regional/trad-carnival-characters/312-traditional-mas-characters-jab-molassie.html |access-date=1 September 2019 |publisher=National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago}}{{Cite book |last1=Green |first1=Garth L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dGSnsW6rA6EC&dq=trinidad+jab+jab+j'ouvert&pg=PA229 |title=Trinidad Carnival: The Cultural Politics of a Transnational Festival |last2=Scher |first2=Philip W. |date=2007-03-28 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-11672-7 |language=en}}{{cite web |date=18 August 2011 |title=A Carnival Theme Rooted in our Traditions by Dr. Nicole Phillip |url=https://groundationgrenada.com/2011/08/18/a-carnival-theme-rooted-in-our-traditions-by-dr-nicole-phillip/ |access-date=1 September 2019 |website=GroundationGrenada.com}} This tradition was likely carried forward in remembrance of the Canboulay Riots.

In 1884, the colonial government passed the Peace Preservation Act, which prohibited public carrying of torches, drumming, blowing horns, and stick-fighting (or the assembly of ten or more people with sticks).{{Cite web |date=Jan 30, 1884 |title=Submits Ordinance No. 1 of 1884: Peace Preservation. To empower the Governor to prohibit the public carrying of lighted torches at the Carnival, and for the preservation of the peace. Proclamation approved. |url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10744614 |website=UK National Archives}} Many J'ouvert traditions may come from reactions to the prohibitions of the Peace Preservation Act. For instance, tamboo bamboo was introduced in the late 1880s as substitute for the drums and sticks. Tamboo bamboo bands developed and became the primary percussion instrument of Carnival. Additional instruments were developed to replace the banned drums, and percussion was achieve through use of metal and other items as well.{{Cite book |last=Gall |first=Sharon Le |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fc3FBQAAQBAJ&dq=j'ouvert+1884+time&pg=PT20 |title=Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Property Protection: Cultural Signifiers in the Caribbean and the Americas |date=2014-01-10 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-02664-5 |language=en}} The history of J'ouvert's improvised instruments is celebrated today with the use of whistles, cowbells, bottles, and home-made instruments.

The Peace Preservation Act also established the official start of Carnival as 6:00 A.M.{{Cite web |title=Immigration and the Political Economy of Home |url=https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=kt5w102068&chunk.id=ss2.07&toc.id=fm03&brand=ucpress |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=publishing.cdlib.org}}{{Cite book |last=Onyebadi |first=Uche |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vkNxEAAAQBAJ&q=Sunday+midnight+to+6:00+a.m.+Monday |title=Political Messaging in Music and Entertainment Spaces across the Globe. Volume 1. |date=2022-09-06 |publisher=Vernon Press |isbn=978-1-64889-471-8 |language=en}} This likely explains the early-morning start time of J'ouvert. Canboulay had traditionally been a nighttime celebration, but after the Peace Preservation Act effectively banned Canboulay, Afro-Trinidadians began celebrating a reinterpretation of Canboulay beginning at 6:00 A.M. on Carnival Monday. Some historians claim that revelers took advantage of the pre-dawn darkness and began festivities before 6:00 A.M.—and that this secret and rebellious celebration is the origin of J'ouvert.{{Cite book |last=Stuempfle |first=Stephen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aG2p6Adax0QC&dq=j'ouvert+soucouyant&pg=PA26 |title=The Steelband Movement: The Forging of a National Art in Trinidad and Tobago |date=1995 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |isbn=978-0-8122-3329-2 |language=en}} Today, J'ouvert in the Caribbean typically begins before dawn.

The pre-dawn tradition of J'ouvert may have roots in Caribbean folklore. For instance, there is a local Trinidadian legend about a soucouyant, who sheds her skin at night and consumes the blood of her victims.{{Cite book |last=Ahye |first=Molly |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WNnfAAAAMAAJ |title=Golden Heritage: The Dance in Trinidad and Tobago |date=1978 |publisher=Heritage Cultures Limited |language=en}}{{Cite book |last=Hill |first=Errol |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pFINAAAAYAAJ |title=The Trinidad Carnival: Mandate for a National Theatre |date=1972 |publisher=University of Texas Press |isbn=978-0-292-78000-2 |language=en}}{{Cite journal |last=Alleyne-Dettmers |first=Patricia Tamara |date=1995 |title=Political Dramas in the Jour Ouvert Parade in Trinidad Carnaval |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25613310 |journal=Caribbean Studies |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=326–338 |jstor=25613310 |issn=0008-6533}} She must reenter her skin before dawn, but is unable to do so if someone sprinkles salt on her skin. According to legend, she will cry out "Jouvay, jou paka ouvay?" ("Daybreak, are you coming?) as dawn approaches.

J'ouvert traditionally begins between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m. and continues until mid-morning. In The Bahamas, however, J'ouvert Bahamas begins at night and goes until the early hours of the morning.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-04 |title=Ready For The Road! A First Timer's Guide To Bahamas Carnival |url=https://www.essence.com/lifestyle/travel/bahamas-carnival-guide/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Essence |language=en-US}} In some West Indian countries, J'ouvert is celebrated on Emancipation Day (the first day of August). In Trinidad, J'ouvert takes place on Carnival Monday, which in Trinidad is the Monday morning before Ash Wednesday. In Jamaica, there are several types of J'ouvert events which take place during the carnival season,{{Cite news |date=2024-04-25 |title=Battle of the bands: GenXs takes J'ouvert crown but don't count out Bacchanal|url=https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20240407/battle-bands-genxs-takes-jouvert-crown-dont-count-out-bacchanal|access-date=2025-03-05 |newspaper=Jamaica Gleaner}} as well as, in November{{Cite news |date=2015-11-03 |title=Cocoa Jouvert a fun experience|url=https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20151104/cocoa-jouvert-fun-experience|access-date=2025-03-05|newspaper=Jamaica Gleaner}} and the summer.{{Cite news |date=2019-08-01 |title=From Twisted Spirits to J’ouvert, Dream Weekend larger than life|url=https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20190801/twisted-spirits-jouvert-dream-weekend-larger-life|access-date=2025-03-05|newspaper=Jamaica Gleaner}} Jamaica Carnival is usually held a week after Easter, whereby J'ouvert celebrations are held leading up to the Sunday Road March.{{Cite news |date=2024-04-05 |title=All set for Bacchanal J’Ouvert tonight|url=https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2024/04/05/set-bacchanal-jouvert-tonight/|access-date=2025-03-05|newspaper=Jamaica Observer}} Jamaican J'ouvert typically starts at night until sunrise,{{Cite news |date=2024-04-07 |title=Bacchanal J’Ouvert paints enjoyment|url=https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2024/04/07/bacchanal-jouvert-paints-enjoyment/|access-date=2025-03-05|newspaper=Jamaica Observer}}{{Cite web |date=2024-04-07 |title=Bacchanal J'Ouvert 2025|url=https://www.visitjamaica.com/event/bacchanal-jouvert-2025/1362/|access-date=2025-03-05|website=Jamaica Tourist Board}} however, some events like Beach J'ouvert(s) are held in the afternoon until night{{Cite news |date=2014-04-19|title=Bacchanal J'Ouvert hits the beach today|url=https://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140419/ent/ent3.html|access-date=2025-03-05|newspaper=Jamaica Gleaner}} and other events are held in the evening until midnight.

Other islands celebrate J'ouvert on Carnival Monday as well, the date of which depends on their island's Carnival dates.

Participants follow and dance behind trucks or tractor-trailers, which play music from speakers or have live music.{{cite web |last=Ehrenreich |first=Barbara |date=1 February 2009 |title=Up Close at Trinidad's Carnival |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/up-close-at-trinidads-carnival-45542504/ |access-date=1 September 2019 |website=Smithsonian.com}} In Trinidad, Grenada, and Antigua, a part of the tradition involves covering the body in oil, mud, or chocolate.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-14 |title=8 of the best Caribbean carnivals |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/best-caribbean-carnivals |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Travel |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=Smithsonian |title=Up Close at Trinidad's Carnival |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/up-close-at-trinidads-carnival-45542504/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2017-02-28 |title=Photo: Celebrating the start of Carnival in Trinidad |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/photo-celebrating-start-carnival-trinidad |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=PBS NewsHour |language=en-us}} On other islands, coloured paints and powders are more popular for covering the clothes or body.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2017-01-01 |title=Basseterre painted by Jouvert |url=https://www.thestkittsnevisobserver.com/basseterre-painted-jouvert/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=The St Kitts Nevis Observer |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2018-01-05 |title=J'ouvert Revelers Throng Through Frederiksted |url=https://stthomassource.com/content/2018/01/05/jouvert-revelers-throng-through-frederiksted/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=St. Thomas Source |language=en-US}} Throughout the Caribbean, many J'ouvert revelers wear traditional, satirical, or popular costumes.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-20 |title=Trinidad and Tobago Carnival: A vibrant celebration of culture and tradition |url=https://www.ourhistory.org.uk/trinidad-and-tobago-carnival-a-vibrant-celebration-of-culture-and-tradition/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Our History |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2013-12-27 |title=Sugar Mas 42 J'ouvert Attracts Thousands By by LK Hewlett |url=https://www.thestkittsnevisobserver.com/sugar-mas-42-jouvert-attracts-thousands-by-by-lk-hewlett/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=The St Kitts Nevis Observer |language=en-US}} In Trinidad and Grenada, "Jab Jabs" (from the French diable, meaning "devil") dress as devils of different colors, and "Jab Molassi" (molasses devil) cover their bodies in oil from head to toe. By contrast, in Aruba J'ouvert is referred to as the "pajama party parade," as people can join wearing comfortable, regular clothes rather than dressing up in costume.{{Cite web |last=Pinto |first=Juan Luis |date=2024-05-23 |title=A quick history of the Jouvert Morning Parade – Aruba Today |url=https://www.arubatoday.com/a-quick-history-of-the-jouvert-morning-parade/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |language=en-US}}

In many West Indian countries, J'ouvert is observed before the daytime Carnival Mas or "Pretty Mas". Pretty Mas is the Carnival parade featuring colorful costumes which are often made of feathers, beads, gem stones, brightly coloured fabrics, glitter and other elaborate body adornments and is more popular while commercially publicized. J'ouvert uses the rebellious nature of powder, mud and oil, while Pretty Mas celebrates the abstract allure of glitter, colour and light.{{cite web |last=Sheriff |first=Nai-Whedai |date=2014 |title=J'ouvert Speaks to the Present |url=http://www.jedsonline.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Sheriff-.pdf |access-date=1 September 2019 |work=Journal of Emerging Dance Scholarship |publisher=World Dance Alliance |archive-date=27 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627190023/https://www.jedsonline.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Sheriff-.pdf |url-status=usurped }} J'ouvert is often contrasted with Pretty Mas, in that J'ouvert is said to be for "the people" while Pretty Mas is intended for the establishment.

Brooklyn is home to the largest West Indian population outside the Caribbean,{{Cite web |date=2024-05-16 |title=For a taste of the Caribbean just go to Brooklyn |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/for-a-taste-of-the-caribbean-just-go-to-brooklyn |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=Travel |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The West Indian Day Parade Celebrates Culture and Community |url=https://www.nyctourism.com/articles/the-west-indian-day-parade-celebrates-culture-and-community/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=New York City Tourism + Conventions |language=en-US}} and began its own Carnival celebration in the late 1960s. Organized by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA),{{Cite web |title=West Indian American Day Carnival Association |url=https://wiadcacarnival.org/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=wiadcacarnival.org}} the West Indian Day Parade is held annually on Labor Day Monday.{{Cite news |last1=Nierenberg |first1=Amelia |last2=Schweber |first2=Nate |date=2023-09-04 |title=Brooklyn Waves Goodbye to Summer in a Whirl of Feathers and Flags |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/04/nyregion/west-indian-day-parade-carnival-jouvert-brooklyn.html |access-date=2024-05-16 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} The event attracts millions of participants who parade down central Brooklyn's Eastern Parkway.{{Cite book |last=Allen |first=Ray |title=Jump Up! Caribbean Carnival Music in New York City |date=2019 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780190656850 |location=New York |pages=84–111}} An early morning J'ouvert component was added to the celebration in the 1990s when steel pan player Earl King and community organizer Yvette Rennie formed J'ouvert City International. Featuring traditional steelbands (DJs and sound systems prohibited) and ole mas costumes, the Brooklyn J'ouvert attracts tens of thousands Carnival enthusiasts.{{Cite journal |last=Allen |first=Ray |date=Summer–Autumn 1999 |title="J'ouvert in Brooklyn Carnival: Revitalizing Steel Pan and Ole Mas Traditions" |url=https://files.eportfolios.macaulay.cuny.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5826/2017/04/16143646/Jouvert.pdf |journal=Western Folklore |volume=58 |issue=3–4 |pages=255–277 |doi=10.2307/1500461 |jstor=1500461 }}{{Cite book |last=Allen |first=Ray |title=Jump Up! Caribbean Carnival Music in New York City |date=2019 |pages=207–234}}

J'ouvert marks the start of London's Notting Hill Carnival,{{Cite news |last=Levene |first=David |date=2023-08-27 |title=J'Ouvert celebrations at Notting Hill carnival – in pictures |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2023/aug/27/jouvert-celebrations-at-notting-hill-carnival-in-pictures |access-date=2024-05-24 |work=the Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} one of the biggest street festivals in the world.{{Cite news |date=2019-08-22 |title=Notting Hill Carnival: What is it and when does it take place? |url=https://www.bbc.com/newsround/49372390 |access-date=2024-05-24 |work=BBC Newsround |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=The history of Notting Hill Carnival and carnival culture- Reader's Digest |url=https://www.readersdigest.co.uk/articles/the-history-of-notting-hill-carnival-and-carnival-culture |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=www.readersdigest.co.uk}} The J'ouvert event typically starts at 6:00 a.m. and takes place in the streets of Notting Hill.{{Cite web |last=Spark |first=Stephen |date=2017-08-26 |title=J'ouvert – The Secret Carnival at Day Break |url=https://socanews.com/news/jouvert-the-secret-carnival-at-day-break/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Soca News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |date=2023-08-24 |title=Notting Hill Carnival 2023: The line-up and what you need to know |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-66580333 |access-date=2024-05-24 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-24 |title=Notting Hill Carnival 2023: Lineup, Times, Schedule, Dates & Ticket Info For Festival |url=https://www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/notting-hill-carnival-guide |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Time Out London |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Mulligan |first=Euan O'Byrne |date=2023-08-28 |title=When Notting Hill Carnival parade starts, route map in full and road closures explained |url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/what-time-notting-hill-carnival-parade-2023-when-starts-route-map-full-road-closures-2572270 |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en}} Revelers cover themselves in colored powder, oil, or paint, and others dress in elaborate costumes.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-26 |title=Why you should be excited about Notting Hill Carnival |url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/08/26/a-guide-and-brief-history-of-the-notting-hill-carnival |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=euronews |language=en}} The celebration involves multiple hours of music and dancing.

{{Main|Caribana#J'ouvert}}

The Toronto Caribbean Carnival is held each summer in Toronto, Ontario, and features a pre-dawn J'ouvert celebration. Unlike J'ouvert of the Caribbean, Toronto's J'ouvert often takes place at an outdoor venue rather than in the streets as a parade.{{Cite web |date=2020-12-06 |title=Tell Dem We Reach! A First-Timer's Guide to Caribana, Toronto's Caribbean Carnival |url=http://www.essence.com/lifestyle/caribana-toronto-carnival-guide/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Essence |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=Simonpillai |first1=Radheyan |last2=Ristic |first2=Katarina |last3=Ristic |first3=Radheyan Simonpillai and Katarina |date=2022-07-13 |title=Toronto Carnival Guide 2022: Fetes, shows, pop-ups and a parade |url=https://nowtoronto.com/culture/toronto-carnival-guide-fetes-shows-pop-ups-and-a-parade-2022/ |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=NOW Toronto |language=en-CA}} The celebration usually features steelpan bands, other live music, DJs, as well as revelers using improvised musical instruments, whistles, and other music makers. Participants will occasionally cover themselves with mud, flour, baby powder, or paint. Some participants dress to resemble evil spirits, such as devils of different colors, including the "Jab Jab".

• Trinidad Carnival
• List of Caribbean Carnivals around the world
• Lists of festivals in North America

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• [https://web.archive.org/web/20181126114229/http://www.jouvert.com/ "Trinidad Carniva – The Greatest Show on Earth]
• [https://triniinxisle.com/2019/03/03/trinidad-jouvert/ Trinidad Jouvert]. TriniInXisle.

{{Carnival around the world}}

Category:Culture of Trinidad and Tobago

Category:Culture of the Caribbean

Category:Carnivals