Thirty-one bands and an estimated four thousand costumed revellers moved through the city centre on Saturday in the largest carnival parade staged in over a decade, opening a month of patriotic festivities.
“My grandmother sewed for this parade. Now my daughter is dancing in it.”
— A bandleader from the oldest participating troupe
A month of events
The parade opens a calendar that includes the citizens' rally, a schools' drumming competition and the independence day ceremonial parade. Organisers said route stewarding was doubled this year after crowding at the previous event.
Police reported no serious incidents along the four-kilometre route, and municipal crews had the city centre cleared by dawn on Sunday.
Tags
Carnival
September Celebrations
Culture
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