by Khaila Gentle

BELIZE CITY, Sat. Sept. 3, 2022

Despite some fears that unfavorable weather or perhaps even gun violence would mar its return, revelers and onlookers from across Belize City turned out en masse for the long-awaited 2022 Carnival Road March. And, thankfully, on Saturday, September 3, the atmosphere pervading the streets of the old capital was mostly one of joy and excitement, to say the least.

After two long years, Belizeans were back outside for a day of revelry that was in complete contrast to the dismal undertone of much of what has taken place in the country and in Belizeans’ lives over the past two years.

It began at the break of dawn, with the return of J’ouvert, where paint, water, and mud were in no short supply. For a moment, it had seemed as if the mood of the festivities would have turned sour, after an unfortunate stabbing incident that took place in the early morning. But, with the assurance of the Police Department that all would be well, the turnout at carnival later in the day was, for the most part, unaffected.

Shortly after 1:00 p.m., Belize’s carnival bands, new and old, were on the road—music and color flooding the streets from Central American Boulevard to the Marion Jones Sports Complex on Princess Margaret Drive. Onlookers lined the pavement as their favorite bands, floats, and tumblers made their way along this year’s route.

At the end of the day, Soca Moca Mas Band secured the first place prize for the Senior Category of the road march—a repeat of their 2019 victory. In celebration, the group held a motorcade through the city.

In second place was Mother Nature’s Creations, who took the first place crown for Carnival King & Queen. Placing third was Trenchtown Masqueraders. In the Junior Category, Soca Massive emerged victorious, with Mother Nature placing second and Collet Royal Revelers placing third.

To some, carnival is just another party in the long lineup that is the September Celebrations. In fact, this year’s celebration was criticized by some who questioned why the energy invested into “feting” is never invested into work, church, or protest.

To others, though, carnival is much more than just another fete. Throughout the Caribbean, the celebration has intricate ties to African resistance and emancipation. In Belize, it is also a testament to Belizean culture and creativity. Here, carnival is believed to have begun in the year 1975 (roughly 142 years after the first Caribbean carnivals began in Trinidad) when a group of women got together to brainstorm a way to liven up the September celebrations. What they came up with was a parade through the streets of Belize City that would grow and evolve over the years, influenced by other Caribbean carnivals as well as the Miami Carnival, held by the Caribbean diaspora.

With the return of Carnival in 2022, many are already looking forward to a celebration that is even bigger and better, come 2023.