The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CARNIVAL

CARNIVAL IS A FESTIVE EVENT WHICH IS CELEBRATED FROM JUNE 30 TO
JULY 4 IN THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS.
IT HAS A DOUBLE SIGNIFICANCE TO THE PEOPLE IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
BECAUSE MANY YEARS AGO ON JULY 3 THE SLAVES WERE NO LONGER IN
BONDAGE (JULY 3 IS CALLED EMANCIPATION DAY), AND ON JULY 4 THE
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IS CELEBRATED. VARIOUS EVENTS ARE
INVOLVED IN CARNIVAL SUCH AS J'OUVERT, A PARADE, A FAIR AND A
BOAT RACE. A BAND COMPETITION ALSO OCCURS DURING THIS TIME.
J'OUVERT IS CELEBRATED ON THE FOREDAY OR THE MORNING BEFORE THE
PARADE. BANDS CONGREGATE ON THE TOP OF OPEN BACK TRUCKS IN ORDER
TO PLAY MUSIC AND MOVE SLOWLY THROUGH THE STREETS. THE PEOPLE
DANCE BEHIND THE TRUCKS WHEN THEY ARE IN MOTION.
ON JUNE 30 A FAIR AND A BOAT RACE ARE HELD. LOCAL HANDCRAFT ITEMS
AND FOOD ARE PUT ON DISPLAY AND SOLD AT THE FAIR. IN THE BOAT
RACE, VARIOUS BOATS COMPETE FOR TROPHIES.
THE WEEK BEFORE THE PARADE, A CALYPSO (TRADITIONAL MUSIC IN THE
CARIBBEAN) COMPETITION IS HELD IN THE VILLAGE. THE VILLAGE IS AN
AREA ENCLOSED BY FOOD SELLING BOOTHS.
ON JULY FOURTH (THE LAST NIGHT OF CELEBRATION), THERE IS A
PARADE, WHICH IS DIVIDED INTO CATERGORIES SUCH AS:
(1) TROOPS--WHICH ARE GROUPS OF PEOPLE ARRAYED IN COSTUMES
(2) FLOATS--DECORATED VEHICLES WHICH DISPLAY VARIOUS SCENES
(3) FLOUPES--A MIXTURE OF TROOPS AND FLOATS
(4) MAJORETTES--BATON TWIRLERS
(5) INDIVIDUAL COSTUMES--PARTICIPANTS DISPAYING THEIR PERSONAL
CREATIONS

Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; SAINT JOHN

Date learned: 00001970S

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RECIPE TO MAKE GUAVA BERRY WINE

(1) WASH GUAVA BERRIES
(2) PUT THEM IN A BOTTLE
(3) ADD WINE (NO PARTICULAR TYPE) AND A LITTLE RUM
(4) SHAKE UNTIL DRINK FERMENTS

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THE AVERAGE TIME BEFORE THE BOTTLED WINE IS OPEN
TAKES ABOUT FIVE YEARS.

Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; SAINT JOHN

Date learned: 00001970S

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RECIPE--KALLALOO

KALLALOO IS A NATIVE DISH (CUISINE) IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.
IT IS PREPARED BY THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
(1) WASH THE SPINACH AND CUT IT INTO PIECES.
(2) CLEAN AND SEASON THE CRAB AND FISH.
(3) ADD STRIPS OF BACON.
(4) ADD "FUNGI", WHICH IS COMPOSED OF CORN MEAL AND OKRA.
(5) PUT ALL THE ABOVE ITEMS IN A PAN AND ALLOW THEM TO SIMMER OR
COOK.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID THAT THE NEXT DAY (AFTER KALLALOO HAS BEEN
DIGESTED) EXPECT "MASSIVE BOWEL MOVEMENTS" OR DIARRHEA.

Where learned: VIRGIN ISLANDS ; SAINT JOHN

Date learned: 00001970S

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