Despite the cancellation of Carnival Monday and Tuesday earlier this year by Grenada’s Parliament, hundreds of Jab Jabs defied the Covid-19 restriction against mass assembling and were seen engaging in J’ouvert celebrations on what was supposed to be carnival Monday morning. This year marked the 2^nd consecutive year that Carnival has been canceled due to the spread of covid-19 and though last year there were a few pockets of defiant revelers breaking the Covid-19 protocol, this year the crowds were much larger especially in St Andrew parish.

In different parishes, oil-drenched revelers draped with chains around their necks with the end dragging on the ground behind them could be seen dancing amongst themselves, hitting beer bottles and rum bottles making their own music while holding their own J’ouvert celebration.  Main roads were not spared from their presence either as a couple of groups were seen in full effect in throngs.  One group, in particular, was seen loudly chanting rhymes expressing how they really feel about the government. From kids to adults alike, the village band was made up of different age groups with the older folks playing traditional ‘Old Mas’ where they sarcastically made fun of the members of government and current local issues by way of posters and props.

However, after joy comes sorrow as the popular Caribbean saying goes.  Groups were met with resistance by the Royal Grenada Police Force who stood their ground by blocking the road thus restricting their movement. Though the police were not seen arresting anyone on the spot, it was disclosed that social media postings and other methods could be used to identify persons who were engaging in these illegal gatherings.

Reference: https://www.nowgrenada.com/2021/08/jab-jabs-defy-carnival-cancellation-for-second-year/