Exhibitions

Caribbean Festival Arts

June 3, 1989 – February 15, 1990

S. Dillon Ripley Center
1100 Jefferson Drive, SW
Washington, DC

International Gallery and Concourse, Sublevel 3

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Learn how festivals represent the intellectual life, culture, politics, and natural resources of the Caribbean region. Examined are 3 traditional festivals: Jonkonnu, a street masquerade held at Christmastime in Jamaica; Carnival on the island of Trinidad, celebrated at the beginning of the Christian season of Lent; and Hosay, an Islamic festival celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and other Caribbean islands.

The exhibition features:

  • celebrations of the festivals of Jonkonnu, Carnival, and Hosay -
  • video of Caribbean festivals
  • costumes
  • photos and artifacts
  • tropical plants and trees
  • a re-creation of a Caribbean street, complete with building facades and architectural elements, such as jalousie windows, rusted corrugated roofing, and gingerbread trim
  • decorated vendor's carts that, on select days, sell traditional foods
  • crafts people
  • music

Catalogue

2 Museum Shops