Brazil has Carnival, New Orleans has Mardi Gras, London has Notting Hill. For Barbados, however, it’s Crop Over – a near summer-long celebration of Barbadian life, pageantry and culture that dates back to at least the 1780s.
First celebrated as a way to mark the end of the yearly harvest on Barbados’ sugar cane plantations, Crop Over has long been a place for tourists and locals alike to let loose and revel in the sun.
An island-wide series of parties begins in June and lasts right through to the first Monday in August, meaning there’s plenty of time to immerse yourself in the local culture, food, drink and dancing.
We spoke to Chris Pitt, Concierge Manager at Royal Westmoreland, provider of luxury villas for sale in Barbados, to find out how to make the most of Crop Over as a tourist and party like a local.
How to do Crop Over Festival right
Though the festivities stretch out for up to three months, the culmination of Crop Over is undoubtedly the Grand Kadooment, Barbados’ carnival parade down the streets of St. Michael.
To avoid jet lag and make sure you’re fighting fit for the final few days of the festival, you’ll want to make sure you land in Barbados a few days before Grand Kadooment. Some of the island’s best parties – known as fêtes – take place in the lead-up to the big day.
After sampling a couple of parties (check out Cohobblopot Festival the night before if you’re feeling brave) you should be well-prepared for Kadooment, a bouncing, shimmering masquerade through the streets, soundtracked by local soundsystems and live music.
The parade is split into ‘bands’, huge teams of people united through colour and costume to ‘jump’ – the word used to describe the dancing and revelry – through the streets.
Last-minute visitors for Crop Over might struggle to find themselves a band, as the best-known and most popular ones sell out quickly, but there’s no reason you can’t head down to the parade and join the festivities!
“There’s no right or wrong way to celebrate Crop Over,” says Chris, “but if you want to truly immerse yourself in Barbadian culture and celebrate as the locals do, here’s a few tips and tricks.”
What to wear
At Crop Over, the spirit of masquerade is alive and well! Those familiar with New Orleans’ Mardi Gras will see instant similarities in the extravagant costumes, sparkle and shine.
“Go heavy on the glitter and don’t be afraid to make a big statement,” Chris recommends. “Now’s the time to be your unabashed, authentic self – so go big or go home!”
Brightly-coloured wings, eye-catching headwear and gemstones are key to putting together the perfect Crop Over ‘fit: face jewels and sparkling accessories are worn as standard.
You’re going to want to make sure your outfit allows free, unencumbered movement – but it’s also got to be sturdy enough to handle many hours of dancing! You’ll definitely work up a sweat, but you could just as easily end up covered in paint or foam from a themed party.
During Grand Kadooment, you’ll often see revellers giving a part of their outfit to local children as a gift – this could be anything from a set of beads or a face jewel, right up to a set of wings! So, if you’re feeling generous, share the love!
What to listen to
When it comes to the sound of Crop Over, soca music rules the airwaves. Named after the “soul of calypso,” soca blends traditional sounds from the calypso music of the 19th and 20th centuries with other styles, like soul, rock and funk, as well as East Indian music.
“If you’re not familiar with soca, get to know!” Chris laughs. “After all, you’ll be hearing plenty of it during Crop Over!” Soca’s up-tempo rhythms lend themselves perfectly to the festival’s party atmosphere – it’s dance-friendly, sun-kissed music that really hits the sweet spot.
All of the parties during Crop Over will feature a DJ, though others might have live artists. Regardless, expect massive DIY soundsystems playing some of the genre’s best and biggest tunes.
“For an intro to the genre, check out Colin Lucas’ ‘Dollar Wine’ and Baron’s ‘Sweet Soca Man’ – if this doesn’t put a smile on your face, I don’t know what to say!”
What to eat and drink
If you’re a foodie, you’re in luck – especially if you love seafood! Barbados’ vibrant local culinary scene packs plenty of punch, with fresh ingredients and big, bold flavours.
Fried flying fish and cou-cou, made with cornmeal and okra, is Barbados’ national dish. However, there are plenty of other amazing dishes to sample, from macaroni pie to fish cakes and slow-cooked pepperpot stew. If you need a light bite to tide you over, try a cutter – a Barbadian sandwich served on traditional salt bread.
Endurance is the name of the game when it comes to drinking at Crop Over. If you’re arriving a few days ahead of Grand Kadooment to discover a few different day parties, you’re going to want to pace yourself.
Barbados has a rich history of rum production and is home to the Mount Gay Distillery, which has been operating continually since 1703, making it the longest-running distillery in the world. So, it goes without saying that rum punch should be the order of the day. The island’s signature drink combines vibrant citrus flavours with the finest rums, sugar and tasteful touches of nutmeg and bitters.
“It can be tempting to get lost in the party atmosphere and find yourself sipping rum punch all day, so this is your reminder to drink plenty of water!” says Chris. “With many of the pre-Kadooment parties kicking off from seven in the morning, you could be spending all day in the hot sun – so make sure you’re being sun-safe, reapplying your sunscreen regularly and drinking lots of water.”
“More than anything,” adds Chris, “don’t be afraid to get involved – try things you wouldn’t normally do, whether that’s new food and drink, new dances or new music. Respect, and immerse yourself in, the local culture and you’re certain to have a wonderful time at Crop Over 2024.”
