– History:
– Crop-over tradition began in 1687 to mark end of yearly harvest
– Celebrated in St. Vincent, Trinidad, and Jamaica
– Planters organized celebrations with food and liquor for enslaved labor force
– Slaves also had unsanctioned fetes with ancestral cultural elements
– Crop Over Festival officially launched in 1970 to attract tourists and revive local culture
– Customs and tradition:
– Two-month party atmosphere with public and private events
– Calypso competition featuring social commentaries and soca music
– Craft markets, food stalls, street parties, and cavalcades
– Competitions for Calypso Monarch, Peoples Monarch, and Party Monarch
– Culmination in Kadooment Day with costume bands, music, and fireworks
– See also:
– List of plantations in Barbados
– List of harvest festivals
– Notes:
– 2020 Crop Over and NIFCA cancelled due to pandemic
– References from Barbados GIS and Hilary Beckles
– Further notes:
– Crop Over Festival is Barbados’ annual carnival celebration
– Article by Baz Dreisinger on About.com
Crop Over is a traditional harvest festival which began in Barbados, having had its early beginnings on the sugar cane plantations during slavery.
| Crop Over | |
|---|---|
| Observed by | Barbados |
| Type | Cultural |
| Significance | End of annual harvest |
| Celebrations | Processions, music, dancing, and the use of masquerade |
| Date | June to first Monday in August Dates below are for Kadooment |
| 2023 date | August 7 |
| 2024 date | August 5 |
| 2025 date | August 4 |
| 2026 date | August 3 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Related to | Caribbean Carnival, Carnival |