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iamthenublack.com came by our StyleX booth and asked us a few questions!

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The good people from IAMTHENUBLACK recently posted a brief interview with Gerald Watson and DJ 2-Tone Jones immediately following the SHAOLIN JAZZ Listening Party in Philly.

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Our fellow Travlr, Gabrielle (@iamthenublack) recently represented Grenada in 2011 Grenadian Diaspora Conference, took some time to have fun at Jouvert and take in some beautiful sunshine. She gives us some great insight about religious observances, Jouvert, politics, and other customs.

She sent us some photos and tell us about them (from right to left): 

1. A jab jab strikes a pose at Grenville’s Jouvert

In the patois dialect (which is broken French, not spoken much in Grenada anymore but flecks of it still remain in everyday language), Jab Jab comes from the French would ‘diable’ which means devil.

Every Jouvert (which takes place the morning before carnival) various Jab Jab groups from the 6 parishes in Grenada march together down the street.

Their striking appearance comes from them covering themselves in oil (it used to be tar), donning helmets with horns, wearing chains and even sometimes snakes around their necks.

If you’re ‘lucky’ enough one of them may come and hug you!

2. The Grendian Diaspora Conference 2011

2011 saw the second Grenadian Diaspora Conference take place at the Grenada Convention Centre in the island’s capital St. Georges.

Various groups from across the world came together to discuss how they as people of Grenadian heritage to help not only promote Grenadian culture, but also how they could assist in assisting in the development of the island in areas such as education, health, business and agriculture.

The conference was opened by Grenada’s Prime Minister Tillman Thomas.

3. A Spiritual Baptist group gather by Grand Anse beach for a baptism.

This religious group is a combination of traditional West African religions and Christianity, with the majority of Spiritual Baptists considering themselves Christians.

Originating in St Vincent, the Spiritual Baptist faith was formed when former American slaves who were fighting for the British, settled in Trinidad and introduced Caribbean settlers to the ‘Second Great Awakening’ .The religion is common in many other Caribbean islands.

4. Jouvert Sign.  

One of the many homemade signs on display at Jouvert in Sauters

‘Bound to Lie vs Bound to Thief’ was the winning song of this year’s Media Extempo Kaiso Monarch. Penned by Ms. Janelle St Bernard (tHead of Marketing at the Grenada Broadcasting Network), the song was inspired by a clash in the House of Representatives in June between Grenada’s Finance Minister Nazim Burke and Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Mitchell who labelled Burke as ‘Mr. Bound to Lie.’

Politics and social matters serve as popular topics in a lot of Caribbean music such as Soca and Calypso. It’s not uncommon for songs to be named after the politicians in question!

5. Participants at Jouvert in Sauters

Taken from the French word ‘day opening’ Jouvert takes place in each of the six parishes in Grenada. As well as the traditional Jab Jab, Shortknee and vecko mas bands who parade along the streets behind larger than life sound systems, members of the public can also join in the festivities.

Starting at around 5am people flood the streets and dance alongside the various traditional bands. It’s advised that if you want to take part that you wear old clothes as it’s customary for nobody is left clean and you’ll most likely find yourself covered in paint!

 Gabrielle is the founder and editor of online magazine, I AM:THE NU BLACK which redefines Black culture through style, music, fashion, and more. It is also the winner of the 2011 Best International Blog Award by The Black Weblogs Awards!

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You can't get any more #FFFRESH than this! I recently discovered KING on iamthenublack This is the perfect music to accompany those lazy happy dreamy summer days!