Rinestones and glitter
Created by the 17th century settlers, today the carnival of the Guadeloupe Islands is a truly Caribbean moment. Consisting of different groups that parade before the awed public, dancers and musicians share the parade in a festive face-to-face, illustrating the diversity of the archipelago’s population. Big and small have been preparing this celebration for months, resulting in a cohesive and general jubilant moment.
Rinestones and glitter
Created by the 17th century settlers, today the carnival of the Guadeloupe Islands is a truly Caribbean moment. Consisting of different groups that parade before the awed public, dancers and musicians share the parade in a festive face-to-face, illustrating the diversity of the archipelago’s population. Big and small have been preparing this celebration for months, resulting in a cohesive and general jubilant moment.
Return to traditions
Among the many groups, there is one that stands apart: the "Gwoup a pò," which has become a key Carnival figure. Born in the 1980s, like the Akiyo group, they claim to represent a return to Guadeloupean culture. Far from glitter and rhinestones, the “Gwoup a pò” make their costumes and instruments from organic or recycled materials.
Snare drum
Other groups like the “snare drums category” use more modern instruments, such as trumpets, saxophones, snare drums and triangle, enlivening the parade of their joyful and rhythmic music!
Snare drum
Other groups like the “snare drums category” use more modern instruments, such as trumpets, saxophones, snare drums and triangle, enlivening the parade of their joyful and rhythmic music!
The youngsters also participate in the party! In many towns of Guadeloupe, young children, disguised like the older ones, proudly parade under the tender gaze of adults—it's a great opportunity for everyone to have fun, sing and dance!
Join the dance!
Since the 2017 edition, travelers on site a few days before the start of the carnival can participate in the preparation of the parade: costume making, rehearsal, choreography. It's an exceptional opportunity to become one of the actors of this incredible moment all the way up until the day of the parade!
From Pointe-à-Pitre to Basse-Terre to Grand-Bourg de Marie-Galante, numerous parades with shimmering costumes and exuberant masks will entrance the entire crowd big, and small! Especially since they all are lulled by the rhythm of drums, percussions and songs.
From Pointe-à-Pitre to Basse-Terre to Grand-Bourg de Marie-Galante, numerous parades with shimmering costumes and exuberant masks will entrance the entire crowd big, and small! Especially since they all are lulled by the rhythm of drums, percussions and songs.
Drums beating!
The drums are the vital instruments of the carnival parades in Guadeloupe. Whether they're made of goatskin or simple plastic barrels, the percussions aim to drive away evil spirits!
The Carnival of Guadeloupe is an opportunity for everyone to proudly parade and show their affection for this traditional event.
The Carnival of Guadeloupe is an opportunity for everyone to proudly parade and show their affection for this traditional event.
Brilliant
Luminous in yellow costumes, pristine white or the dyed the traditional Madras fabrics, the watchword of the carnival of the Guadeloupe Islands is originality! Each group manifests their great imagination to win the esteem of the jury at the grand parade of Mardi Gras!