September Celebrations: A Snapshot of Carnival Weekend
Tonight’s episode of Kolcha Tuesday is a brief look at the events of this past holiday weekend. Carnival, as we know, was the highlight of the day, but the extended weekend was filled with activities, including the crowning of the Queen of the Bay on Saint George‘s Caye Day. All of those events contribute to the vibrant culture of what is known as the September Celebrations. News Five’s Isani Cayetano has that story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Celebrating five decades in music is a milestone that very few performers have been able to accomplish. As a collective, the Gilharry 7 Band, which hails from Corozal Town, remains a household name, well known across several generations for its contribution to Belizean entertainment. On Friday night, the group was formally recognized as living legends by the National Institute of Culture and History.
DJ Dalla
DJ Dalla, Master of Ceremony
“Tonight, we will have fun. We will have fun like no other, I’m telling you. Last year, we did it for the Mighty Lord Rhaburn, he is the living legend. He will be performing tonight also, but tonight we’re honoring and bigging up none other than the Gilharry 7 Band at fifty. Can we give them a round of applause as we start the night, Gilharry 7 Band at fifty.”
Fans of the legendary musicians danced the night away at the Lord Rhaburn Plaza. A few hours later, a younger, more carefree crowd took to the streets of the Old Capital for the predawn celebration that is the Carnival J’Ouvert. This year, the procession of paint, soca, rum and water was arguably bigger than previous gatherings, as a swarm of revelers paraded through the city.
Revelers
Revelers
“One vibe, one vibe, one vibe, family.”
Paul Lopez
“Unu di represent wahn group, wahn crew?”
Revelers
Revelers
“Family, family. I just wahn everybody be safe, good and everything wahn go and we wahn have it continuously every year after this.”
Paul Lopez
“Unu got any message fi anybody fi di carnival? What da di message fi dis carnival season?”
Revelers
Revelers
“Be safe, no violence, all love. J’Ouvert is fun, my love.
Paul Lopez
“How yoh like di J’Ouvert?”
Revelers
“Full vibe, family…McCauley family, di whole family deh ya. From all over we flew in.”
And from the early morning fete to the striking arrangement of colors, costumes, music and dancing. By midday, many of those revelers who took part in the J’ouvert were already suited up or lined the principal streets for the annual Carnival Road March, the highlight of the extended weekend.
Duane Moody
“King Poseidon, you’re ready?”
King Poseidon
King Poseidon
“I’m ready. It feels good out here.”
Duane Moody
“You’re going right into the judges right now, you’re showing off wah lee bit.”
King Poseidon
“Of course, you know, we got this.”
Duane Moody
“And you’re ready for the final lap too?”
King Poseidon
“Of course, we got lots of energy.”
Duane Moody
“How long yoh tek fi prepare fi dis?”
King Poseidon
“Well, a couple of months but we got this.”
Annlyn Apolonio
“I know you’re no stranger to carnival, what sets this year apart from every other year?”
Participant
“The last time I went up for King and Queen was 2012 and I didn’t place. I came in second this year and I am proud about my second place and I am proud with my second place and so I am feeling great and Soca Moca is ready for the win this year again.”
On Sunday, September Tenth, the 2023 Queen of the Bay was crowned as part of the official ceremony commemorating the Two Hundred and Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye. Minister of Culture Francis Fonseca delivered the keynote address.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Chairman, National Celebrations Commission
“In culture, Belize held its first official Emancipation Day ceremony, followed by an energetic and inspiring Eboe Town Festival. We were also witnesses to the dynamic Women in Art project, the Tangled Wood exhibition by master sculptor Carl Gordon, the Frankie Reneau Electric 80s concert, the Legends Concert honoring fifty years of Gilharry 7.”
Isani Cayetano for News Five.
