Cayman Batabano Carnival… IT’S COMING!

Posted on 01. May, 2011 by admin in Arts and Culture

Grand Cayman HOTTT with Carnival preparations

From the time I landed in Grand Cayman last week, one thing was apparent, that Batabano Carnival feeling was thick in the air. I was welcomed into the terminal at Owen Roberts International by the sounds of sweet steel pan playing the latest soca tunes. After a brief trip through immigration and customs, I was greeted curbside by the Swanky man himself, Craig or Festa as he is known to many on the island and over the radio airwaves. Without any moment for pause, Craig and I headed straight over to the Swanky mas camp. The mas camp was energetic with costume designers, revelers, and section leaders preparing for this year’s Swanky presentation of “The Wild Wild West”. Cowboys and Indians will be blazing down the road this year for Batabano. The Swanky costumes were designed by the brilliant Dexter Seusahai, Founder and Band Leader of Tribal Knights. Swanky is Batabano’s reigning Band of the Year with consecutive wins in the past two years and 3 wins in the past 4 years. They are the mas band every other Batabano mas band will be aiming to dethrone this year.

Events for this year’s carnival include:

Wet Fete @ the Grand Caymanian – April 29^th
Swanky’s Booze Cruise on the Valhalla – May 5^th
Destra Garcia in Concert @ The Ville – May 5^th
Swanky Soca Takeover @ Elements – May 5^th
One the Concert – Featuring Kes the Band – May 6^th
Cayman Carnival Batabano Street Parade – May 7^th
VIBE FM’s After-party @ Margarittaville – May 7^th
Swanky’s Boat Lime @ Rum Point – May 8^th

Cayman Carnival Batabano History (an excerpt from www.caymancarnival.com)

Launched in 1983 by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, Cayman Carnival Batabano is held annually during the first week of May – a vibrant highlight in the island’s entertainment calendar.

The festival’s original name, Batabano, is a salute to Cayman’s turtling heritage. The word batabano refers to the tracks left in the sand by sea turtles as they crawl onto the beach to nest. Finding these tracks was – and still is – a reason to celebrate!

Carnival is a premier cultural celebration in the Caribbean – a kaleidoscope of music, dance and pageantry with roots mirroring the region’s diverse history of African and religious influences. Colourful costumes reflect the vibrant landscapes, heritage and culture, with the music the very rhythm of island life. Carnival in the Cayman Islands has a distinct flavour as the islands are home to a melting pot of over 100 nationalities – one country celebrating many cultures!

During carnival, districts and corporate groups join together to compete and showcase creative costumes, choreography and floats. The energy of Cayman Carnival Batabano is electrifying, with thousands of locals and visitors flocking to the streets to enjoy the spirited parade, which is all about expression.

The fete was renamed Cayman Carnival Batabano to bring it more in line with traditional Caribbean carnivals, and today it is organized by a volunteer committee chaired by Donna Myrie-Stephen. The carnival has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception, including the addition of a carnival for youth.

With the costumes, choreography and festivities becoming more elaborate each year, Cayman Carnival Batabano is a much-anticipated event. It is a time to celebrate local surroundings, to showcase creativity, to voice social issues and, of course, to party and unite – and there’s nothing like a great party to bring people together!

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