February, March and April embarks a period of where carnival emerges throughout countries in the Caribbean and South America. The origins of Carnival in the Caribbean and the South American are complicated as they are deeply tied to colonialism, religion, freedom and celebration. There are always three elements to Carnival celebrations including dressing in masquerade, music and dancing.
There are about 50 countries all over the world that celebrate carnival, some of the biggest carnivals in the world are Trinidad and Tobago, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Some Latin American and Caribbean countries that have carnival include:
Oruro Carnival, Bolivia - Typically takes place in February
Crop Over, Barbados - Typically takes place in July and August
Barranquailla Carnival, Colombia - Typically takes place in February or March
Mazatlán Carnival, Mexico - Typically takes place in March
Salvador Carnival & Recife and Olinda, Brazil - Typically takes place in February and April
Junkanoo, Bahamas - Typically takes place in December and January
Carnival September, Belize - Typically takes place in September
Carnival of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba - Typically takes place in July
Dominican Carnival, Dominican Republic - Typically takes place in February
Bacchanal Jamaica Carnival, Jamaica - Typically takes place in August
La Ceiba Carnival, Honduras- Typically takes place in May
Have you ever celebrated Carnival in any of these places or anywhere else? We would love to feature your photos in a gallery and share your experience! Please submit photos or and/stories to info@afro-latinabeauty.com.