Holidays in the Caribbean

Chances are, you haven't heard of Peppercorn Day.like Errol Barrow Day in Barbados. But the islands also
A holiday in Bermuda, Peppercorn Day may be theretain holidays from the conquerors, like Bastille Day,
oddest holiday in the Caribbean. Its history dates toQueen's Day, and the Prince of Wales' Birthday.
1797 when a group of Freemasons began renting theEmancipation and slavery abolition holidays are also
Old State House in St. George, for the sum of onenational holidays on many islands.Perhaps the largest
peppercorn. In 1816, the holiday tradition began.number of holidays in the Caribbean are of religious
Every year on the Wednesday closest to April 23,origin. Days venerating patron saints can be found
amidst pomp and circumstance, a horse-drawnthroughout the islands, but nowhere to the extent of
carriage brings the governor to collect thePuerto Rico. Even Puerto Rico's cities have their own
peppercorn.While Peppercorn Day is exclusive topatron saints with attendant holidays. However, the
Bermuda, many Caribbean islands share similarmost important is St. John's Day, celebrating the
holidays. For instance, while the specifics differ, manyisland's patron saint and namesake of its capital city,
islands celebrate their heritage with national holidays.San Juan. Beach parties end with people walking
In Dominica, late October ushers in Creole Week. Partbackward into the ocean and falling into the water to
of Creole Week is Heritage Day, held in a differenthonor the tradition of baptism by St. John.Christmas
village every year and paying homage to that village'sin the Caribbean may be more enthusiastic than
unique aspects and important citizens. Island-wide, theanywhere else in the world. The twelve days of
biggest celebration of the week is Creole Day.Christmas are still celebrated on many islands,
Everyone dresses up in traditional Creole fashion andculminating in Epiphany on January 6. On Guadeloupe,
enjoys Creole style parades, music, and food.Similarly,Epiphany marks the beginning of Carnival season,
Jamaica's Maroon Day (January 6) pays tribute to thewhich continues until Lent. The carnival reaches its
Maroons, freed slaves who fled to the South coastpeak on Shrove Tuesday, when businesses close for
of Jamaica to start their lives anew. Their ancestorsfive days so all can participate in the parades.Even
still live there and host the biggest celebration of thethe weather has a place on the holiday calendar. In
holiday, the Accompong Maroon Festival. Drawingthe U.S. Virgin Islands, the fourth Monday in July is
visitors from all over the globe, this huge affair hadHurricane Supplication Day. Marking the beginning of
an attendance of 16,000 people in 2005. The feasttheir hurricane season, it's a low-key day for people
includes traditional dancing, singing, andto go to church to pray that hurricanes pass them
ceremonies.Then there's Indian Arrival Day (May 30)by, or at least spare lives and buildings. If all goes
in Trinidad and Tobago. Although it was only madewell, Hurricane Thanksgiving Day follows on the third
official in the 1990s, the island's sizable IndianMonday of October.Holiday celebrations contribute
population has celebrated the holiday for many years.greatly to the vibrant culture in the Caribbean. If
It commemorates the arrival of indentured servantsyou're planning a trip there, consider going when you
from India.Many Caribbean countries celebrate theircan take part in one. There's no better way to truly
independence from conquering nations, such as Spain,experience island culture.Karen Joslin writes for
the Netherlands, or France. Holidays honoring nationalGuadeloupe-Guide.info, PuertoRico-Guide.info, and
heroes who fought for independence are common,other Segisys travel Web sites.