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