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Montserrat: Carnival
Carnival in Montserrat is a symbol of its national culture. Carnival in
Montserrat is celebrated as a festival between Christmas and New Year's
Day. This festival includes parades, Jump-ups, steel bands, King and Queen
competitions, and there is great merriment throughout the island. One of
the highlights of the Carnival is the calypso competition finals when
calypso performers dress up and act out their calypsos. Calypso is usually
a social commentary on what is happening on the island. It is usually a
time when calypsonians get an opportunity to vent their feelings about the
government that is in power or about things that are foremost in the
things that are going on the island. There is usually a double entendre
that is accomplished in these songs, and, yes, some of these songs are
somewhat risqué.
The winning calypsonians is rewarded with prizes,
celebrity status on the island, and they represent Montserrat as a
cultural ambassador at the inter-island competitions. These party-loving
people have these days well planned out with barbeques, competitions,
sporting events, steel bands and dancing contests. It can be truly said
that even though the island is small, the people can be deemed the best
"party animals" that can be found.
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