The Evolution of Spicemas: From February Festivities to an Unique August Celebration

The Carnival season or what is now referred to as Spicemas used to be held in February. This made the festival, a pre-Lenten festival, similar to Carnival in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago or our sister isles, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.

Source: Proud to be West Indian

Masquerader

What happened

The main reason for the change in timing was driven by independence. In the year 1974, when Grenada achieved independence, Carnival was cancelled. When Carnival returned in 1975, the timing became May. This was to move the Carnival away from the same timing as that of Trinidad. The period of May was used in the years of 1976, 1977 and 1978.

Again, in the year 1979, Carnival was cancelled due to the Grenada revolution of March 1979. When Carnival returned in 1980, Carnival was held in August. This new timing was driven by tourism. Prime Minister, Maurice Bishop, at the time saw the potential opportunity for the growth of tourism and moved the timing to August. Grenada was also constructing an international airport, the first in the Windward Islands, to support the the growth of tourism.

Ever since, Carnival has been held in the month of August.

Source: Grenada Mas 1928-1988

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