Five Weird Caribbean Events

There are all kinds of events in the Caribbean: from food and rum festivals, to bird watching conventions, to carnivals. However, these five weird Caribbean events go above and beyond the rest for their uniqueness. Which one will you attend this year?

1. Goat and Crab Racing Festival (Tobago)

Every year on Easter Sunday and Monday, people in Tobago flock to small stadiums to watch goat and crab races. It may seem hard to believe, but this event has actually been going on for over 90 years. In the goat races, young jockeys hold goats by string leashes and run behind them, urging them on. In the crab races, the jockeys prod crabs to run ahead with bamboo rods. Known as Buccoo to locals, this festival is one of the most unique and weird Caribbean events that exists.

2. Burying Vaval (Dominica)

In Dominica, people from the Dublanc or Kalinago/Carib Territory gather on Ash Wednesday (the day after Carnival) for a sort of “funeral service” for the spirit of Carnival, called Enterrer Vaval. Six men carry a coffin and parade through the streets followed by torch-wielding revelers clad in white. They all sing, cry, and dance until they reach the “burial site”. At this point, they burn the coffin.

3. Donkey Racing (British Virgin Islands)

Weird Caribbean events. — Carrot Bay Donkey Race in the 2019 British Virgin Islands Festival (Island Sun)

Donkey races take place during the Carrot Bay Cultural Fiesta each August in the British Virgin Islands. A celebration of the 1834 Emancipation Act, this festival honors the many different cultures on the island with dancing, food and drink, and donkey races.

4. Cake Dancing (Petite Martinique and Carriacou)

On the tiny islands of Petite Martinique and Carriacou, you might see this interesting wedding tradition. It consists of someone from the bride’s side and someone from the groom’s side holding a cake between them and dancing through the streets, making sure not to drop the cake. Sometimes, each will have their own cake and they will dance facing each other while others play instruments. Often there are a few cakes, held between several family members or revelers.

5. Grenada Chocolate Fest

This one’s weird and wonderful– it’s a whole festival dedicated to chocolate! The cacao bean is an important part of Caribbean culture. In Grenada, you can enjoy a party dedicated to this delicious crop in May each year. There will be plentiful chocolate bars to sample, as well as chocolate ice cream, chocolate-infused beer and rum, and more. In addition, you can tour the Belmont Estate, a 17th-century cocoa plantation. Finally, indulge in a chocolate massage, or some shopping at the chocolate crafts fair.

Besides enjoying chocolate products, you can learn about how chocolate is made. Chocolate makers will teach you how to crack the pods and harvest the beans.

Want to know what Caribbean events will be taking place during your vacation? Check out these articles!

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