Vaval, the King of Carnival, a satirical caricature leads Martinique’s Dimanche Gras celebrations. Beside him will sit the elected Queen of Carnival and together they will lead Martinique to 5 nonstop days of revelry. Carnival was celebrated first in Martinique by the French. After the abolition of slavery, carnival became open to the public and with this former slaves changed the face of carnival into what it now resembles in Martinique. Each of the 5 days of Dimanche Gras holds a theme. Saturday and Sunday is a free for all dress as you wish. Mock Weddings takes place on Monday – a burlesque parody where men dress as brides and women act as bridegrooms. Fat Tuesday serves as Red Devil Day, the streets of Martinique are painted red as carnival goers dress in red as the devil. Lastly Ash Wednesday brings out the faux mourners marking the end of Dimanche Gras. Only black and white are worn mourners parade to the ceremonial death of Vaval, King of Carnival. As Vaval is set ablaze the carnival fervor of Martinique dims until next year where it’s done all over again. Pick a day, pick all 5!
