There is never a bad time to visit Barbados,
but Crop Over is our favorite time to visit because of the energy, music
and culture. It's a time to get to know the island, whether it be
to partake in the festivities through the streets of St. Michael swept up
in a sea of color or taking in
Barbados’ Crop Over nights.
Patrons at Wes Bar taking in Kadooment Day
Families strolling Bridgetown Market
Under the canopy of the Wes Bar a brisk
business was being done. People of all ages were enjoying their food and
drink in the cool shade. Just outside the magic of Crop
Over had transformed this ordinary corner in this working class
neighborhood. As we sat in the cool comfort, the approach of another music truck
could be heard signaled by the
galloping soca bass. Gradually getting louder, it reached a crescendo as it
rounded Eastmond’s corner. For a few moments the narrow streets
are filled with the energy of a breaking wave as hundreds of ecstatic
dancers in colorful costumes pushed past onlookers to follow Krosfyah (or
one of the other soca hit makers high on the trucks) down the road to Spring
Garden. After
the band passes, we make our way back inside for another Banks and to wait for the
next band to pass.
Krosfyah and friends on the road Kadooment Day revelers
As visitor from Brooklyn, I had found the
perfect spot to take in the Kadooment Day festivities. Kadooment day is
the climax of Crop Over festivities. Revelers have the right of way, all
day ordinary activities willingly yield to this expression of freedom. It begins early in the day at the National Stadium where over ten
thousand gather putting the final touches, glitter or body paint to
their costumes. A long line formed into colorful sections gradually
approaching the stadium reviewing stand where they perform with energy
for the judges and the public in the stands. Moving out of the stadium,
the road to Spring Garden is lined with onlookers who have staked out a
spot to watch. People cheer as the colorful costumes pass, hips shaking to
the hot music. "Flames" by Jabae was the Road March hit
that was played most often. Reaching Spring Garden Highway some
revelers cool off in the sea while others party late until the
evening. All along the route it is the triumph of music and revelry over
the ordinary work a day life and that is part of the infectious power of
Crop Over.
Costume preparations for the road
Fans waiting patiently along the parade route
A free spirited harmony prevails throughout.
One can’t imagine this sort of scene happening in New York, where this
many people having this much fun would more likely be considered a
dangerous situation.
Kadooment day beauties pose for our lense
Crop Over dates back centuries when it was the
celebration at the end of the grueling sugar cane harvest, a brief lull
in the long hard year of working people. Today it is the time many off
island Barbadians return to lime with family and friends and reconnect
to their roots. "Crop Over is the natural base foundation of the music",
Philip Reckord at the Bridgetown Market with his three children told us
"It is the way it is passed on to the next generation and the foundation
will never be lost". The history and traditions are remembered at the
Crop Over Gala, July 7th, when the ceremonial blessing of the last canes
which arrive by donkey cart and the crowning of the King and Queen of
Crop Over The event will feature over 500 performers this year. Home
grown culture
has replaced sugar cane as the "crop".
2006 King of
the Bands, Trevor Chase portraying "Better Fish In De Sea Dan Wuh Ketch"
Marilyn Rice - Bowen portraying "Girl - You Look Like Sugar Boil Over"
for the band Ooutraje
The calypso tents are open, where calypsonians
and soca artists efforts are honed. 10 tents will be challenging
Bacchanal Time tent whose artists, Kid
Site and Barry Chandler took the Calypso and Party monarch crowns. The
climax of the calypso season will pit Bacchanal Time artists vs The Best
of
Crop Over on Wednesday August 1st at Garfield Sobers Gymnasium where one
will hear Timmy sing of "De Sauce and Lil Rick of "Conch" two of this
year's
Crop Over offerings that have tongues wagging. Artists such as Kid Site
and Rupee have been in the studio. Statement is offering "Instruction".
Several
of the artists and latest Crop Over tunes as well as side splitting
commentary on the controversies of the season can be from Peter Boyce of
Madd Entertainment at can be heard at
www.boycevoice.com/blog/index.php.
Red Plastic Bag performing at Tim's On De Highway
Calypso Night at Tim's
Dancefloor
Rupee told the Daily Nation he expects to have
at least 3 new songs for the season and hopes to have his own section
with Baje International on Kadooment Day. Krosfyah has a new CD out
,"Fireproof". Pic-O-De-Crop, and Party Monarch finals judge the year’s
best tunes and costumes on during the last week before Kadooment Day.
Calypsonian Structure (Brian Thornhill) performing "Opinions" in the 2nd
round of the 2006 Pic-O-De-Crop Finals
Close-up of Red Plastic Bag at Tim's
In a few short days we took in the Calypso
finals, Pic-O-De-Crop; the costumes and soca at Cohobblopot festivities,
and a night strolling the Bridgetown Market on the Spring Garden
Highway. Two sightseeing excursions stood out, an off road tour of the
rugged East coast and catamaran sailing on the Caribbean side. The
landscape of the northeast of the island is a contrast to the mellow
south and west coasts. It is rural and harsher with rocky precipices
overlooking the Atlantic ocean, palms bent by the winds and waves sought
out by surfers. Sailing off the calm Caribbean coast, highlighted by sea
turtle sightings.
Mingles International,
out of Guyana, performing at the 2006 Cohobblopot festivities
Calypsonian TC performing at the Calypso Finals
Keisha Christian and Electrik at Cohobblopot
The Market, a street festival, was crowded with
families on Saturday enjoying the night air, food, and performance. Our
favorite was a traditional Tuk band featuring seaman Gerald Hunt on
flute entertaining passersby. The displays of artists and craftspeople
in the cultural village ranged from figurative wood sculptures and
painting, clothing and footwear to homemade preserves. Afterwards
classic Calypso artists such as Red Plastic Bag and Mac Fingall prowled
the stage into the wee hours at Tim's on de Highway, located in the heart
of the Market.
Bridgetown Market on Spring Garden Highway\
Tuk Band
We were puzzled, by the inevitable question in
conversation with Barbadians ‘Have you been for Crop Over’? Curiosity
prevailed and now we count ourselves as among the converted, won over by
the freedom we felt if but for a fleeting, beautiful, moment. Reality
returns soon enough. A winter visitor would probably not get out to
Eastmond’s corner or if they did couldn’t imagine the Kadooment day
scene. What makes this holiday particular to Barbados is, for us, the
state of mind that settles over one subtly, memorable moments that stay
with you throughout the year and tug at you as the season approaches
again. As the humidity and the heat of living in the city returns so
does the urge to be sitting in the Wes Bar, listening to the rise and
fall of the music trucks passing and enjoying a few Banks Beers the
feeling is
returning.
Reveler cools off at the end of Kadooment Day
Tired reveler
