5 Best Dance Carnivals in the World to See Before You Die
It may not
be the hottest month of the year for some cultures, but for many, February
marks the beginning of one of the most important month-long events in the
Christian calendar – the carnival. Characterised by exuberant street parades,
lively dancing, historical re-enactments and huge banquets, it's little wonder
that many countries begin preparing for these annual events at least six months
in advance. There are many theories as to the origins of the modern day
carnival. Some believe that the ritualistic events were established as a
precedent to Lent – an excuse to indulge and party before observing forty days
of fasting and abstinence. But, not all carnivals have religious connotations.
In fact, many have evolved to become must-see exhibitions of the native
traditions, food and dance that define world cultures. Wondering where to head
to first? Let us introduce you to five of the world's top carnivals to see
before you kick the bucket!
Notting
Hill Carnival
London,
England
Established
in 1966, the Notting Hill Carnival was originally a spin-off of the annual
Trinidad Carnival, which brought together the city's many Caribbean citizens in
an annual celebration of their heritage and freedom. The unofficial “weekend
warm-up” typically begins on Friday afternoon, with static sound systems and
event stages set up in Hyde Park and other communal areas for soca, reggae and
pop concerts. Street vendors begin setting up shop on the streets surrounding
the main route, transforming the area into one big, open-air food market
selling everything from jerk chicken to Brazilian bolos (pies). Sunday is
Children's Day, marked by several successive pantomime float parades, puppet
shows and street dancing. Monday is geared toward adult revellers, featuring
scantily clad women in exuberant headgear writhing and wining their way down
the parade route, along with calypso drummers, samba bands and exotic floats.
The traditional 'Carnival de Mas' (Masquerade Carnival) follows the main route,
and is a colourful reminder of the event's Trinidadian roots.
New
Orleans Mardi Gras
Louisiana,
USA
A
traditional celebration of New Orleans' cultural diversity, Mardi Gras brings
together Hispanic, Amerindian, African and Creole cultures in what can only be
described as a melting pot of dance and entertainment. Mardi Gras usually
begins after Twelfth Night on Epiphany (January 6th), kicking off with an extravagant masquerade ball. In
accordance with Creole tradition, a large “King's Cake” is baked especially for
the occasion, and a small locket or gold bean hidden inside. The cake is then
served to those in attendance, and whomever should find the bean is then
crowned King or Queen of the Carnival.
Mardi
Gras parades occur almost nightly during the two weeks prior to Ash Wednesday.
Carnival krewes in tribal garb and period dress parade through the streets on
decorated floats tossing inexpensive toys, doubloons (wooden dollar coins),
plastic beads and sweets out to revellers. Parades along Bourbon Street and the
French Quarter are a little more risqué compared to other areas of the city,
with many dancers and krewes emulating the skimpy attire and “wining”
synonymous with Caribbean and Brazilian carnivals. On Mardi Gras Day, most
revellers adorn fancy masks and colourful outfits in preparation for the day's
festivities, which include the famed Zulu and Rex parade, as well as concerts,
dancing and masquerade parties.
Trinidad
and Tobago Carnival
Republic
of Trinidad and Tobago
Carnival
in Trinidad and Tobago is an historic affair, and one which has evolved
considerably from the upper class celebrations of the 17th Century.
Back then, French and British settlers would congregate at lavish balls and
banquets, while their slaves were cooped up in barrack yards with little to no
food. Deprived of any real entertainment, the slaves organised their own
extravagant parties, for which they would prepare by painting themselves white
and sewing fancy costumes made from rags or sheets. The dawn celebration
“J'Ouvert”, traditionally held at 4 am on day one of the festival marks the
'dark ages' of slavery, with revellers dressing as demons and monsters and
dancing around fires.
When
slavery was abolished on the islands in 1838, the slaves took to the streets
with their annual celebrations, holding soca concerts, magnificent parades and
limbo dancing competitions. Such competitions have now become an integral part
of the carnival, and many revellers daub themselves with oil and paint to take
part in remembrance of those who fought for freedom during the Port of Spain
struggles. As the sun rises, swathes of percussionists in costumes, known as
the “Pretty Mas”, descend upon the streets, followed by crowds of skimpily clad
dancers “wining” and gyrating to the frenzied calypso beats. Day two sees the
festival reach its frenetic climax, with further dance demonstrations, soca
concerts and the annual Panorama competition for the coveted award of “Masquerade Band of the Year”.
Rio
Carnaval
Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
Established as they are, few of the aforementioned carnivals can hold a
candle to the annual festivals held in South America. From Colombia's
Barranquilla Carnaval, famed for its energetic dance competitions and lively
street parties, to the iconic devil dance performed on the eve of Oruro
Carnaval, these huge annual gatherings have set a precedent for other
'spin-off' festivals around the globe. Undoubtedly the most famous of them all,
the annual Rio de Janeiro Carnaval garners in excess of 8 million people to the
city each year to witness the four-day spectacle, traditionally held two weeks
prior to Lent.
Famed for its extravagant street processions of inflatable floats and
scantily clad women, Rio Carnival has been compared to the likes of Disney
World Florida for the sheer size of its theatrical outdoor parades. Many of
these are held within the Sambadrome, which also plays host to the annual Samba
school float competition and the crowning of the Carnival Queen. Numerous
street festivals (“bolos”) are held in and around the centre of Rio, including the
“Cord Bola Preta” (“Black Ball”) however the official parade follows a mapped
out route over the course of three days owing to the sheer number of entries
into the competition. There can be as many as 4,000 people performing as part
of one co-operative, including floatees, the “bateria” (drumming band) and
additional female Samba dancers - all vying to be crowned Rio's Carnival Queen.
Carnevale
de Venezia
Venice,
Italy
Few
carnivals are are as spectacular or mysterious as the annual Carnevale di Venezia,
Italy. Traditionally an Orthodox celebration, the Carnival de Venice was
originally established during the 15th Century as a precedent to
Lent, marked by feasting, decadence and dancing that culminates on Fat Tuesday
(Mardi Gras). Balls held during the festival are among the most lavish in
Europe, and although many are off limits to tourists, its possible to witness
the spectacle for yourself at the annual Doge's Ball (Il Ballo del Doge) for the princely sum of $1900 (€1470). The
masquerade ball is one of the highlights of the year for Venetian socialites,
whom don period dress and masks in honour of the occasion. Venetian masks still
play an important part in proceedings today, worn for both court dances, and
the annual competition “La Maschera Più Bella” ("The Most Beautiful Mask").
Judged by fashion icons from around the globe, it's widely considered one of
Italy's most prestigious national competitions!
