First jouvet goes off in style
If you thought the carnival enthusiasts looked just a “mite” tired when they pulled into the B.T.L. Park, most of them had good reason to be. Hours before the road march, the die-harders participated in the first Belizean jouvet. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods was in the mix of rum, mud and paint.
(Revellers painting each other with mud and dancing)
Jacqueline Woods
“For the first time the band leaders have decided to start off Carnival Day with a jouvet. This very early morning activity is all about getting the revellers pump up and ready for the road march later on. I tell you folks, and all you need of course is mud and a group of energetic revellers.”
(Dancing through the streets)
Jacqueline Woods
“Leroy why did the committee decided to start off carnival day with this jouvet?”
Leroy Green, Chairperson, Pullali Carnival Committee
“It was from one of the earliest meetings. I think it was the second meeting. And at that time it had to be explain, especially by Saira, who was a member of the committee then, what jouvet really was.”
Jacqueline Woods
“What is jouvet?”
Leroy Green
“Jouvet is a traditional way of celebrating the fact that carnival day is here. It’s usually held on the dawn of carnival day and it’s usually to emphasise that fact that carnival is really for the roots people.”
(More dancing through the streets)
Jacqueline Woods
“And this is what it’s all about folks, jouvet early this morning. Presently we’re on Vernon Street and I tell you what folks, these guys say that this morning’s activity won’t affect them later on. But let’s see exactly how this group of revellers are feeling right now.”
Jacqueline Woods
“And a pleasant good morning to you, why did you decide to take part in jouvet?”
Reveller #1
“Because it’s my first time and I think it’s really fun, it’s happening right now.”
Jacqueline Woods
“What do you think is the whole purpose behind this morning’s activity?”
Reveller #1
“To wake up Belize City and tell them, hey, carnival is here and come out and enjoy it.”
Jacqueline Woods
“You’ll be in the road march later one today?”
Reveller #1
“Yes, I am in Cultural Heritage.”
Reveller #2
“Well I just see people di walk and I said, well mek I join in because it seems like fun and indeed I di have fun. It’s all about having fun, especially when it comes to the month of September.”
Reveller #3
“I think this dah something good they do fi mek the people get into the carnival mood before the carnival starts. So that when the carnival actually start people done deh in the mood”
Jacqueline Woods
“How do you make this mixture?
Reveller #4
“We use red clay and we put it on the fire-heart and add water and we mix it, mix it until to becomes soft and boils. And after it finished boil, we put in the water paint. I bought a red gallon of water paint and that’s why it brings this colour.”
Jacqueline Woods
“No doubt this stuff is easy to come off though?”
Reveller #4
“Yes, it is cause it’s water paint. And I guess whenever you wash your skin, because whenever it’s dry it brings your skin so smooth…it’s like a skin treatment.”
“We ready to go. This is our Belize and our Tenth and Twenty-first celebration and we have to make it be successful because it’s for us.”
Copies of Channel 5’s coverage of the carnival will be on sale starting this Thursday at fifty dollars per tape.
