The carnival in Antigua is a celebration of food, dance and music which is held annually from the end of July to the first Tuesday in August. This carnival began 50 years ago and has its roots in slavery. The festivities at the carnival are a celebration of the emancipation of the slaves which is celebrated in local concerts, food fairs, cultural shows and parades all over the world. The carnival of Antigua stretches for ten days. This year in 2007, the island will celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the carnival.
The local Antiguans display their uniqueness and creativity in a series of exciting steel band and calypso competitions featuring the best musicians and performers of the island. Some other highlights of the carnival include the Miss Antigua Pageant, Caribbean Queen Competition, Party Monarch and Calypso Monarch competition of Calypsonians and the colorful Parade of Costumed Bands. People indulge themselves in Cavalier and English Harbor rum and completely lose themselves.
There are many different forms of music featured during the carnival. Calypso, the oldest form, has its roots since slavery and is an improvisational form which depends on the skill of a soloist, who intertwines the sounds of different cultures into a lyrical whole. The steel drum music has become a significant part of the carnival since its inception. Soca is a musical form which began in the 1970’s and grafts the slower beats of American soul music to the upbeat tempos of calypso. Another popular form of music is the reggae which has long been incorporated in the carnival.
