A special event kicked off the celebratory programmes leading up to the Miami-Broward Carnival 2024. Dubbed ‘Authentic Jab-Jab & Ole Mas’, the symposium offered an exciting exploration of Grenada’s vibrant Jab-Jab heritage. This unique event was hosted by Empress J and featured presentations from iconic Grenadian Jab figure ‘Bombo D Jab’, esteemed historian LaTasha Sy-Rah Faty, and Shortknee, joined by Amanda B.
Held at the Island SPACE Caribbean Museum in Plantation, Florida, South Florida’s only pan-Caribbean heritage space, located in the Broward Mall. The museum showcases an archive and exhibition space with artefacts, cultural relics, and historical data representative of South Florida’s Caribbean communities.
Additionally, the museum provides educational resources on topics ranging from the indigenous Taino people to the 2010 earthquake, plantation life, and regional government structures. Founded in October 2020 by Calibe Thompson, the Island SPACE Board President, alongside former president David Muir, this non-profit institution is dedicated to promoting Caribbean arts, culture, and history, conducting various educational initiatives throughout the year for both local and diaspora audiences.
‘Jab-Jab’ Culture in Grenada
To Grenadians, ‘Jab-Jab’ is a treasured cultural emblem, representing a unique facet of the island’s heritage. Grenada, often celebrated as “The Land of 100,000 Jab-Jab”, draws thousands of visitors each year for its annual Carnival season. Rooted in the historic era of slavery, ‘Jab-Jab’ originated as a celebration of freedom for enslaved Africans who endured hardship on sugar plantations. Today, this tradition remains a powerful symbol, especially during J’ouvert, where Jab-Jab revellers parade through Grenada’s parishes as part of the Spice Isle’s Carnival festivities.
Jab-Jab participants are easily recognised as they cover themselves in black oil, mud, or grease and don horns to embody ‘Jab-Molassie’, the “molasses devil.” This distinctive attire is now a hallmark of J’ouvert-style celebrations across many Caribbean islands, though Grenada remains the most prominent setting for this annual spectacle.
The ‘Authentic Jab-Jab & Ole Mas’ Symposium offered attendees an enriching experience to delve into the captivating history of Grenada’s street-style Carnival tradition. Sponsored by the Island SPACE Museum, Miami-Broward Carnival, AfriCaribbean Festival, and ‘Sea The Difference’, the event combined educational presentations with interactive discussions, deepening understanding and appreciation for this beloved Grenadian cultural expression.
