It's only been three years since Belize began observing jourvet, but while the history is not long for this celebration of mud, paint, and general debauchery, it's already earned a permanent place in the September celebrations. Today was the day, and this evening, just before newstime, we caught up with the eager group of masqueraders preparing to take their energy, music and paint into the streets of Belize city.
Masquerader
“Today is jourvet, we did the mud on the skin and we’re going to parade through the streets and after that we are going to rest up for the rest of the night.”
Q: “Why are you all doing this?”
“Well its tradition, it is a tradition every year we usually do it. Throughout the world.”
Q: “Does this at all prepare you for carnival?”
“Yes, it gives you the spirit, you know. The other night they had the parade through the streets, get us excited and ready for carnival.”
“We’re still going to be having energy for Saturday. This gets us ready for Saturday.”
Kid #1
“We are going to parade through the streets”
Q: “Why are you doing this?”
“I usually do it.”
Q: “How old are you?”
“Eight”
Q: “And you always done this?”
“Yes”
Kid #2
“We’ll parade through the streets.”
Again, the carnival airs live right here on channel 7 on Saturday afternoon with hosts Neil hall and Leila Pandy.