Pilgrimage and Carnival

Last week was sort of busy. There was a pilgrimage in honor of the Lady of Lourdes last Sunday afternoon. This is a monthly procession from May to October and I thought it was just a rather small thing. 

 However, Catholics from the whole island are involved along with the bishop, priests, and religious. It was a nice walk that started at one of the early churches on the island, went along the coast, and then up Battle Hill to the church dedicated to the Lady of Lourdes. The walk was about an hour and then there was a service in the church afterwards.

Second church in the area, abandoned before Ivon 

Statue to be carried by the priest, two men, and a lady of my parish

OK, let's get started

I needed to stay near to from with the children from our parish - I didn't see the end of the procession

At the parish at the top of the hill

And the service afterwards.  Not everyone in the church did the procession

OK, now where is the bus to go back to Munich?

Carnival


Last week was also Carnival for Grenada. I went to Grenville for the Monday and Tuesday events. It was nice to enjoy the street parties with the locals. St. George’s and other cities had their own festivals.

Monday, J’ourvet morning is celebrated in Jab Jab fashion; Jab meaning devil. (As explained to me) Prior to emancipation the slaves were not allowed to participate in the Carnival festivals celebrated by the “Christians” colonists. At the time they believed the black man was descended from Satan or other such nonsense. The reply was an in your face – you want black men with horns and chains, you got it – sort of thing.

The Jab Jab band from Munich departed for Grenville from a staging area close to my house around 5:30 am Monday morning.

One of the teachers from school.  This is also his outfit when he gives the end of year exams :-) 
Getting ready

Ready to go
Let the parade begin

Some kids left their marks on an abandoned house. 


More Jab Jab bands paraded in Grenville on Monday and Tuesday. There were also Fancy bands that marched for those who did not want to coat their skin in baby oil before applying motor oil.

Making noise

Each band has a name

A mix of people parading past the courthouse
One of the fancy bands with an extra guy.
That guy is a "Shortknee", dressed head to toe with a wire mask

The white clouds are of talcum powder as part of their procession.
Shortknees are considered a stand-in for visiting ancestors

Waiting for the start of their groups

Kids horsing around :-)

The atmosphere on Monday and Tuesday was a street fair with music playing in several areas. Vendors sold various food, drink, and trinkets. I generally hung out with friends rather than oil downed or dressed up. Everyone one had a nice time. I’m glad they take the time to celebrate and I was happy to see my first Caribbean carnival.

New people for Grenada

The new trainees have been training on St. Lucia for about a month. On Friday they either stayed on St. Lucia, although moving to their site, or traveled to their island of service and their site. I and some of the current volunteers greeted the twelve new trainees for Grenada at the airport on Friday. They will train for a bit longer and then swear in as volunteers.

In recent years the incoming group was divided between the four islands: St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Dominica. This year Peace Corps is not sending anyone new people to Dominica so the other three countries are getting more volunteers than usual. Nice for Grenada, but I feel for Dominica.

A nice bunch of people eager to serve the Peace Corps and the people of Grenada

Next week should not be so busy. And I only have two weeks before school starts again. I’m looking at the progress on the new school, more about that next week I think.

Love always,
John

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