Cayman Islands Holidays - Batabano Carnival
There is more to see while having your holiday in Grand Cayman than Seven Mile Beach and Stingray City.
As well as Pirates Week in October/November, Grand Cayman has another festival in the first week of May called Cayman Carnival Batabano. Batabano is a word describing the tracks left in the sand by turtles leaving the sea to nest. The Batabano was launched in 1983 by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman. It has now grown too large for just the Rotary Club to manage, and it is now organised by volunteers in an independent committee. The Rotary Club are still a major sponsor though.
This committee has changed the feel of the event to match more traditional Caribbean carnivals. The Carnival is now a mix of Caribbean music, dance and pageantry
As the Batabano became a regular fixture, the local schools became interested in taking part in the parade. This also grew so now there is a Junior Carnival Batabano the weekend before the main event.
As with every carnival, the previous year's has to be bettered, which means that costume design and choreography become more elaborate each year. Districts and businesses compete for prizes for the best costumes featured in Carnival. In the beginning the designs were inspired by area marine life. The race to be the best has also allowed the Mas (Masquerading) Bands to express their creativity by highlighting social issues. In the past this has included the Y2K Bug, drug abuse and worldwide refugees.
The events for Batabano are spread out over a week or so, and as well as the main and junior parades there is a Masquerade fête and a International soca fête. Soca or soul calypso is a form of dance music based on calypso music.
So hop down to Grand Cayman for a intimate Caribbean Carnival experience.
As a Cayman Islands Holiday [http://holidaysinthecaymanislands.co.uk] specialist, Holiday Hut can help you to plan your Cayman Islands holiday around any major event held on the Islands.
As well as Pirates Week in October/November, Grand Cayman has another festival in the first week of May called Cayman Carnival Batabano. Batabano is a word describing the tracks left in the sand by turtles leaving the sea to nest. The Batabano was launched in 1983 by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman. It has now grown too large for just the Rotary Club to manage, and it is now organised by volunteers in an independent committee. The Rotary Club are still a major sponsor though.
This committee has changed the feel of the event to match more traditional Caribbean carnivals. The Carnival is now a mix of Caribbean music, dance and pageantry
As the Batabano became a regular fixture, the local schools became interested in taking part in the parade. This also grew so now there is a Junior Carnival Batabano the weekend before the main event.
As with every carnival, the previous year's has to be bettered, which means that costume design and choreography become more elaborate each year. Districts and businesses compete for prizes for the best costumes featured in Carnival. In the beginning the designs were inspired by area marine life. The race to be the best has also allowed the Mas (Masquerading) Bands to express their creativity by highlighting social issues. In the past this has included the Y2K Bug, drug abuse and worldwide refugees.
The events for Batabano are spread out over a week or so, and as well as the main and junior parades there is a Masquerade fête and a International soca fête. Soca or soul calypso is a form of dance music based on calypso music.
So hop down to Grand Cayman for a intimate Caribbean Carnival experience.
As a Cayman Islands Holiday [http://holidaysinthecaymanislands.co.uk] specialist, Holiday Hut can help you to plan your Cayman Islands holiday around any major event held on the Islands.
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