JouvayFest Collective

The Caribbean Carnival experience begins with J’ouvert
(pronounced-Joo-vay).​
J’ouvert marks the beginning of the annual Carnival celebrations in the Caribbean islands, the United States and around the world.
The enslaved Africans knew and understood enslavement to be anti-human in every level of human existence. Given the restrictions on life for the enslaved, this annual enactment called “J’ouvert” parodying of the enslaver became a medium for the enslaved to assert their humanity and mock the absurdities of the enslaver. This pedagogical model created during this period remains a powerful tool to confront, address and remedy multiple forms of injustices and oppression even today. Its preservation, therefore, is significant to the growing empowerment of its people.

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