Holidays in the Caribbean

Chances are, you haven't heard of PeppercornBarrow Day in Barbados. But the islands also
Day. A holiday in Bermuda, Peppercorn Day mayretain holidays from the conquerors, like Bastille
be the oddest holiday in the Caribbean. Its historyDay, Queen's Day, and the Prince of Wales'
dates to 1797 when a group of FreemasonsBirthday. Emancipation and slavery abolition
began renting the Old State House in St. George,holidays are also national holidays on many
for the sum of one peppercorn. In 1816, theislands.Perhaps the largest number of holidays in
holiday tradition began. Every year on thethe Caribbean are of religious origin. Days
Wednesday closest to April 23, amidst pomp andvenerating patron saints can be found throughout
circumstance, a horse-drawn carriage brings thethe islands, but nowhere to the extent of Puerto
governor to collect the peppercorn.WhileRico. Even Puerto Rico's cities have their own
Peppercorn Day is exclusive to Bermuda, manypatron saints with attendant holidays. However,
Caribbean islands share similar holidays. Forthe most important is St. John's Day, celebrating
instance, while the specifics differ, many islandsthe island's patron saint and namesake of its
celebrate their heritage with national holidays. Incapital city, San Juan. Beach parties end with
Dominica, late October ushers in Creole Week.people walking backward into the ocean and falling
Part of Creole Week is Heritage Day, held in ainto the water to honor the tradition of baptism
different village every year and paying homage toby St. John.Christmas in the Caribbean may be
that village's unique aspects and important citizens.more enthusiastic than anywhere else in the
Island-wide, the biggest celebration of the week isworld. The twelve days of Christmas are still
Creole Day. Everyone dresses up in traditionalcelebrated on many islands, culminating in Epiphany
Creole fashion and enjoys Creole style parades,on January 6. On Guadeloupe, Epiphany marks the
music, and food.Similarly, Jamaica's Maroon Daybeginning of Carnival season, which continues until
(January 6) pays tribute to the Maroons, freedLent. The carnival reaches its peak on Shrove
slaves who fled to the South coast of Jamaica toTuesday, when businesses close for five days so
start their lives anew. Their ancestors still liveall can participate in the parades.Even the weather
there and host the biggest celebration of thehas a place on the holiday calendar. In the U.S.
holiday, the Accompong Maroon Festival. DrawingVirgin Islands, the fourth Monday in July is
visitors from all over the globe, this huge affairHurricane Supplication Day. Marking the beginning
had an attendance of 16,000 people in 2005. Theof their hurricane season, it's a low-key day for
feast includes traditional dancing, singing, andpeople to go to church to pray that hurricanes
ceremonies.Then there's Indian Arrival Day (Maypass them by, or at least spare lives and buildings.
30) in Trinidad and Tobago. Although it was onlyIf all goes well, Hurricane Thanksgiving Day follows
made official in the 1990s, the island's sizableon the third Monday of October.Holiday
Indian population has celebrated the holiday forcelebrations contribute greatly to the vibrant
many years. It commemorates the arrival ofculture in the Caribbean. If you're planning a trip
indentured servants from India.Many Caribbeanthere, consider going when you can take part in
countries celebrate their independence fromone. There's no better way to truly experience
conquering nations, such as Spain, the Netherlands,island culture.Karen Joslin writes for
or France. Holidays honoring national heroes whoGuadeloupe-Guide.info, PuertoRico-Guide.info, and
fought for independence are common, like Errolother Segisys travel Web sites.