Carnival : A Big Event in Guadeloupe and Martinique

Carnival has a special flavor to the French Carribean Islands Guadeloupe and Martinique.

They have 3 big days

Monday called Lundi Gras (fat Monday for schools, local cities etc )

Tuesday called Mardi Gras (Fat tuesday day of the big Parade, where all beautiful costumes are out)

and Mercredi des Cendres which is (Wenesday Ash where they burn the King Vaval)

The carnival begins soon after Christmas.

The first Sunday of January opens the festivities.
People are prepared throughout the previous year.

Costumes receive their close attentions.
The groups are formed and continue to train for the big parade.
Every Sunday, there will be a parade. It's a kind of preview before the Big day.

The Sunday before the premiere, elections are held:

The mini queens :

The queen mother, who is a grandmother

and Queen of Carnival, a young woman with the most beautiful outfit.

Everything is colorful, noisy, fun
Finally before the big day, the last sunday

They present the King Vaval

He can be a political figure or an imaginary one like this year in Martinique

It is Arogwans hear (Arrogance).

This first big day, everyone should get up at 4 am for the pajamas parade.

(More to come, until the last day)