Carnival in Martinique

Melissa

We were on a carnival holiday recently. The carnival has been a living tradition for us for many years. It lasts only 4 days and is celebrated once a year. Carnival begins on Sunday and there is a 4 am pyjama parade on ShroveTuesday and it ends on Ash Wednesday. During these demonstrations there are several groups of dances wearing disguises and there are also big decorated trucks that pass through the streets with different themes. There is also a sort of gigantic dummy called " Vaval " ; this year Vaval was a Gaul, half man half woman with heels and manicured nails. It is present from Sunday to Wednesday. On the last carnival day, once all the admirers gather around it, it is burnt; which marks the end of Carnival. Then the next year a new Vaval will be made with a different theme.