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No culture in the world is as varied and as diverse as the Caribbean culture, a dissimilar and complex blend of many original cultures that come from almost all corners of the world. In other words, the festivals and the cultures of the original Ciboney, the Taino, and the Caribs have been perfectly merged with the European cultures, which have been brought by the Europeans who settled in these islands in the earlier half of the century. Almost everywhere in the Caribbean, a wonderful blend of the old and the new—the European, African, Asian, and Middle Eastern influences are quite apparent. The Caribbean carnivals, held in a growing number of major metropolitan cities throughout the islands are wonderful spectacles, drawing a huge number of tourists from different parts of the world.
For the people of the Caribbean, the festivals are a series of occasions allowing them to dress up to their spirits. Masks and colorful outfits, known as masquerades, traditional music, heightened by excitement and passion, allow the people of the Caribbean to celebrate. A notable feature of Caribbean festivals is the involvement of the young. In almost all Caribbean festivals, children play a major role in the fun, and are often elected as standard-bearers of community life.
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