Jab Jab is a traditional masquerade event special to the island of Grenada. In this event masqueraders cover themselves head to toe in the color black often using molasses, tar, old engine oil or black paint. They wear chains, horns, hold raw meat or live animals and blow through conch shells and dance to various types of music. The true meaning and story behind the start of Jab Jab held much more importance than I initially thought. As slavery was abolished on English speaking Caribbean islands in 1834, Grenadians celebrated an event that was soon to be known and celebrated throughout the Caribbean. In French “Jab” translates to “Devil” a degrading term in which enslaved Africans were called by their white owners. By painting themselves in black materials, these masqueraders aim to mock their former masters and the horrible treatments that were placed upon them. Growing up I often saw Jab-Jab roaming the streets during Carnival and Christmas time. As a child during these events I often ran away, but as I grew older and my family shared the importance of Jab to me. As I saw their chains signifying their containment of their physical and mental freedom, the coffin symbolizing dead slave masters and many other materials. The knowledge of Jab throughout my personal experience enabled me to no longer view Jab-Jab as a threat but instead as a form of acceptance and a claim of freedom.  
 

– S.M

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more