The Corn Islands Masquerade celebration

In numerous cultures worldwide, the use of masks has been a prominent feature in various celebrations and feasts. Whether at the Surva festival in Bulgaria, grand balls in Venice or Paris, or even on Caribbean islands like Monserrat or Trinidad, gatherings involving people dressing up in diverse outfits and disguises have always been a common occurrence.

In the broader Caribbean context, masquerade takes on a festive atmosphere during carnival, often accompanied by drums and other instruments influenced by West African traditions. However, the Corn Islands stand out for their historical, unique and humble celebration of masquerades during December, a tradition likely dating back to post-slavery times, possibly as early as the late 1800s.

The Corn Island Masquerade involves locals donning various whimsical outfits or loose-fitting clothes, with men often wearing skirts and women opting for pants. Masks, typically crafted from rough cardboard or designed to resemble local legends, are an integral part of the attire.

On the island, the Masquerade season kicks off between the 15th and 20th of December, culminating in the first week of January. During this period, participants traverse the island, visiting at night households in their distinctive outfits, playing guitars, and creating a lively atmosphere with pots and pans and carrying cloth bags at their sides. Each visited house extends hospitality by offering the masqueraders refreshments, with light cake, ginger beer, sorrel drink and eggs being traditional offerings.

The Corn Island Masquerade concludes on the 6th of January, coinciding with the islanders' celebration of Old Christmas. On this day, a feast takes place among participants, featuring the last contributions gathered from the houses they visited.