by Khaila Gentle
BELIZE CITY, Sat. September 3, 2022
Despite some fears that inclement weather or perhaps even gun violence would mar its return, guests and spectators from all over Belize City turned out in droves for the highly anticipated 2022 Carnival Road Parade. And thankfully, on Saturday 3 September, the atmosphere that permeated the streets of the old capital was mostly one of joy and excitement, to say the least.
After two long years, Belizeans turned out for a day of fun that was in stark contrast to the somber undertone of much that has happened in the country and in the lives of Belizeans over the past two years.
It started at dawn, with the return of J’ouvert, where there was no shortage of ink, water and mud. For a moment it looked as if the festive mood would be soured following an unfortunate stabbing in the early hours of the morning. But with assurances from the Police Department that all would be well, carnival attendance later in the day was, for the most part, unaffected.
Shortly after 1 p.m., Belizean carnival bands, new and old, were on the streets – music and color flooding the streets from Central American Boulevard to the Marion Jones Sports Complex on Princess Margaret Drive. Spectators lined the sidewalk as their favorite bands, floats and sliders made their way along this year’s route.
At the end of the day, the Soca Moca Mas Band secured the first place award for the senior road march category – a repeat of their 2019 win. In celebration, the band held a motorcade through the city.
In second place was Mother Nature’s Creations, who took the first place crown for Carnival King & Queen. Third place was Trenchtown Masqueraders. In the Junior category, Soca Massive emerged victorious, with Mother Nature coming second and Collet Royal Revelers third.
For some, carnivals are just another holiday in the long line-up that is September Festivities. In fact, this year’s celebration was criticized by some who questioned why the energy invested in “celebration” is never invested in work, church or protest.
However, for others, the carnival is much more than just another party. Throughout the Caribbean, the celebration has intricate links to African resistance and emancipation. In Belize, it is also a testament to Belizean culture and creativity. Here, the carnival is believed to have started in 1975 (approximately 142 years after the first Caribbean carnivals began in Trinidad) when a group of women came together to devise a way to liven up the September festivities. What they achieved was a parade through the streets of Belize City that would grow and evolve over the years, influenced by other Caribbean carnivals, as well as the Miami carnivals held by the Caribbean diaspora.
With Carnival returning in 2022, many are already looking forward to an even bigger and better party come 2023.
